Protein skimmer

[MI0706]

I have a CPR Bakpak 2 w/ bio bale. Lately I've noticed alot of small air bubbles all over the tank and also what appears to be an oil film at the water line.

If I'm correct, the small bubbles are caused by the skimmer and the oil film at the water line is what the skimmer should be removing.

I've adjusted the air intake flow all the way up to help reduce the air bubbles in the tank. It has helped a little bit, but not alot. I also added some sponge material in the outlet elbow to stop the turbulence bubbles and read that this will also help with the small bubbles. I was thinking about getting the pre-skimmer attachment to help skim the waste at the water line.

Should, I get the pre-skimmer attachment and then see how well the skimmer performs or should I follow the advice of others (who obviously do not like the CPR line) and get a different skimmer all together? Keep in mind, that this was a used skimmer and I don't have that much money ($25) tied up in it...

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[Rainman]

If I were you I'd do a water change using a jug to skim off the surface slick, clean the skimmer and the skimmer pump and see what happens.

Just don't do anything rash! I try not to do anything that I haven't planned for at least two weeks. That way my impatient nature doesn't get the better of me often.

 

[ChrisRD]

The skimmer boxes for hang-on skimmers like your CPR do help reduce the surface film IME.

 

[MI0706]

25% percent water change was just performed 4 days ago. During this time, it was my monthly cleaning time for the skimmer. The skimmer and the pump were completely broken down, thoroughly cleaned, and put back together.

The skimmer seems to be working fine (getting a nasty looking brownish/green waste in the cup) however, the surface film is still there.

This isn't something that just happened over night. I've been battling this for over a month now.

Anothere possibility I've been think about is building a sump for the tank and tackling the problem with that route. Not to mention all the other benefits of having a sump.

 

[Rainman]

Sumps are really good. You're not going to get surface anything with a sump, but building them is a lot of work.

 

[Anonymous]

Sumpa arent super hard to make.

YOu can use a rubbermaid container for one and silicone in dividers and make a sump refuge combo. Just a little elbow grease and intuition is all it takes.

 

[Rainman]

a hahah, whatever

 

[PeeJ]

what are you laughin about? supaboy is right.

 

[PeeJ]

a powerhead aimed at the waters surface can break up the film and assimiliate the proteins into the water where they can be more readily skimmed out.

 

[JohnD]

MIO - I have been running a Bakpak with a rio 800 and a preskimmer for years. The preskimmer really removes the oil from the surface and I have few bubbles in the tank. Maybe the lack of the preskimmer is your problem.

Anyway, IMHO the bakpak is a great skimmer for a small tank. Drop me a PM if you have further questions.

Regards,

JohnD

 

[Rainman]

The sumps that I've built have both been difficult. Mostly due to limited space combined with high flow etc...

See how little room there is around the sump. Don't do this if you can avoid it

 

[PeeJ]

Perhaps you are making your sumps more complicated that warranted.

 

[Rainman]

Perhaps. But don't you think it looks 'fully sick'?

 

[PeeJ]

Fully sick....Well..it definately looks....very divided. I kinda liked just going to Wal-Mart, drilling a hole, and being done with it.

 

[MI0706]

Peej: I have two powerheads pointed towards the surface of the water. Both of them are Hagen 802's... This has no apparent effect on the surface of the water however, I have noticed that the skimmer is "pulling" more stuff out of the tank as evidenced by the collection cup...

JohnD: That was what I needed to know... If the preskimmer is actually something good, or if it is a rip-off!!!

My whole point is: I have this problem with the surface of the water... I can try a preskimmer for my skimmer or I can add a sump to take care of water surface problems as well as have many other advantages that you gain from having a sump...

If I do go the sump route, considering my tank is not set up for an internal overflow, I would have to go with the hangon variety of overflow... Anyone got any good recommendations for the hangon type of overflow?!? Any words of wisdom going this route?!?

Once again all, you have been very helpful... Keep the replies coming...

 

[Rainman]

pj- Yeah, but where's the challenge in that? have you got any photos?

 

[PeeJ]

No..but imagine a rubbermaid tub with a bunch of equipment laying in it.hahahhaha

 

[Rainman]

lol. *imagines*

That looks very undivided

 

[PeeJ]

yea it is. haha..its quite amazing. i can even pack away my winter clothes when i dont need them

 

[Anonymous]

People who make things more complicated than they need to be suck!