Protien Skimmer/Bak Pak2

mp5150 · 09/06/2006, 07:30 AM

Would something a protein skimmer make a big difference in my 16 gallon salt? I have been looking at the Bak Pak 2.

sir_dudeguy · 09/06/2006, 07:52 AM

a skimmer will make a difference on any tank if its strong enough. Bak paks are way overrated, but a 16 shouldnt be any problem for it. It should be pretty good on it.

Stidd · 09/06/2006, 08:00 AM

sir_dudeguy... Have you owned a Bak/Pak?

They aren't bad at pulling gunk. There is a surface skimmer that you can get with them that pull the water from the surface rather than about 4 inches below the water. I would get this device if you are thinking about the Bak/Pak... Also, if you are planning on coral, than I would get rid of the bio bale and replace with the bubble trap. This would eliminate the nitrate farm of the bio bale...

Let me know if you are interested in buying a Bak/Pak. I have 1 I used for a couple of months.

Guy

mp5150 · 09/06/2006, 08:04 AM

Would it help reduce alge blooms in the tank at all?

Stidd · 09/06/2006, 08:57 AM

More aggressive skimming will help eliminate nutriets from the water which your algae could be feeding off of... But you may want to look at the root cause...

What type of algae?
Are you doing water changes? If so, how much and how often?
RO/DI water?

Guy

mp5150 · 09/06/2006, 09:00 AM

I have hair alge on the rock, a bit on the sand. My tank goes through stages. I looks good for some months and them I get an outbreak. I do about a 2 gallon change each week. I do not have a r/o. All my levels have been very steady for weeks. I was hoping something like this would eliminate these blooms. I have a phos pad inside my filter with seemed to help for a while. Just not sure where to go...probably a bigger tank.

drummereef · 09/06/2006, 10:28 AM

I think AquaC makes a nano skimmer for tanks like yours.

mp5150 · 09/06/2006, 10:50 AM

Would I need a filter along with the skimmer?

drummereef · 09/06/2006, 11:52 AM

You could probably do the AquaClear mod for a hang-on fuge. A lot of people have success with these on small tanks.

pony_killer · 09/06/2006, 01:45 PM

i have 2 bak paks protein skimmers on my 46 gallon...so far so good. i also have a wet/dry. im thinking about upgrading my skimmer though, i know theres way better ones out there, just not sure what i should get though. and i don't have a sump either. so many choices

akrimmel · 09/06/2006, 02:10 PM

dont go cheap on a skimmer as you will find yourself wanting to upgrade as you wont be happy with cheap skimmer in this hobby, just do some research and depending on your budget go from there. i suggest save a little until you can afford what you want as you will be happier in the long run as it is so important to have control of your bioload in your tank.

s2svetko · 09/06/2006, 02:20 PM

i run a bakpak2 on my 20gal, its kinda noisy and ive been less than impressed with how much skimmate it produces. I run a coralife skimmer (rated for 125gal) on my 90, i like it a lot better. it makes alot of dark nasty skimmate. the smallest skimmer coralife make is rated for 65 gal which is about the same as the bakpak2. the bakpak is also like $50 more expensive. i own one and i dont personaly recomend it

akrimmel · 09/06/2006, 02:23 PM

i agree with s2svetko been there done that i love the coralife css 125 i have it kicks balls. but the css65 would be great for what you have.

Kiel'thalin · 09/06/2006, 02:54 PM

I had a bakpack, it is junk in my experience. Mine was loud, intrusive in the tank, and the skimmate doesn't even compare to the skimmer I got now (Deltec MCE600, worth every penny). Good Luck.

J4Life · 09/06/2006, 03:14 PM

This is such a funny thread. Skimming on a tank less than 20 gallons is something I wouldn't worry about. As for the CPR Bak pak being worthless well that is a load of garbage. I used the one I had very successfully on a 55 gallon and a 75 gallon tank without issues. IMO/IME I think the CPR is a really good fit for nano tanks 29 gallons up to 40 gallon breeders. Plus it can be modified relatively easy and the replacement parts are inexpensive as well.

Comparing a CPR skimmer to a Deltec in my opinion is unfair. That would be like comparing your Deltec 600 to my Reef Octopus NW-200 which would kick the crap out of it and I am sure I paid less money for it than you did and plus mine is rated for a 320 gallon size tank which I am quite confident it can handle it even with heavy biloads.

For what its worth Stidd suggested finding out the root cause of the problem. That is the key. Skimming doesn't remove everything bad that people think. Actually it can remove a lot of good things if you over skim. Eric Borneman has written some articles that mention skimming could cause more harm than good. In my brief experience the answer always relies in the water. Good water quality means a healthy system and in smaller systems that means more frequent water changes.

HTH's,
Bill

mp5150 · 09/06/2006, 06:52 PM

How many water changes can I do in a week? I do two gallons on a 16 tank. I just feel like I am missing something? Too much rock? I dont know.

J4Life · 09/06/2006, 07:56 PM

Can you post your parameters? That would be a good start. Specifically ph, alk, nitrite, nitrate, cal, po, and salinity/sg.

Also are you using RO water? If so do you know what the TDS reading is? Anything higher than 2 and you're adding excess phosphate into your system.

Also you could do a 20-30% water change weekly and be okay. That would be about 5 gallons of new salt water each week. How much do you feed and what type of food is it. How many fish if any.

There is lots of variables to consider. What type of lighting are you using. Certain lights can attribute to more algae growth.

That should get you going,
Bill

mp5150 · 09/07/2006, 03:36 PM

Ill post parameters soon. As for the other stuff:

I am not using R?O Water

Currently in the tank I have: Two Clowns, shrimp, small brain, muchroom rock, small candy cane, a feather duster, and a polup rock. I feed once a day rotating with formula 1 and two flakes, prime reef, and some frozen brine shrimp. Twice a week I add a cap full of zoo.

I am running a aquclear filter, and have a power compack 96 watts on for about 5 hours a day.

J4Life · 09/07/2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

I am not using R?O Water

If you can't or are not going to use RO water then you should by distilled water and use it. Your tank is small enough that 5 gallon jugs of it shouldn't be that expensive.

I would start here and then begin testing after a couple of water changes.

09/06/2006, 07:30 AM	#1
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	Protien Skimmer/Bak Pak2 Would something a protein skimmer make a big difference in my 16 gallon salt? I have been looking at the Bak Pak 2.

09/06/2006, 07:52 AM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	a skimmer will make a difference on any tank if its strong enough. Bak paks are way overrated, but a 16 shouldnt be any problem for it. It should be pretty good on it. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

09/06/2006, 08:00 AM	#3
Stidd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 286	sir_dudeguy... Have you owned a Bak/Pak? They aren't bad at pulling gunk. There is a surface skimmer that you can get with them that pull the water from the surface rather than about 4 inches below the water. I would get this device if you are thinking about the Bak/Pak... Also, if you are planning on coral, than I would get rid of the bio bale and replace with the bubble trap. This would eliminate the nitrate farm of the bio bale... Let me know if you are interested in buying a Bak/Pak. I have 1 I used for a couple of months. Guy __________________ Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience. If you want to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well. ~ Jim Rohn Current Tank Info: 30 Gallon All-Glass-Aquarium, Current USA Orbit 36" 2x96W with MoonLights. LifeReef Overflow into a Custom Compact Berlin Sump w/ VS2-24 Skimmer

09/06/2006, 08:57 AM	#5
Stidd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 286	More aggressive skimming will help eliminate nutriets from the water which your algae could be feeding off of... But you may want to look at the root cause... What type of algae? Are you doing water changes? If so, how much and how often? RO/DI water? Guy __________________ Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience. If you want to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well. ~ Jim Rohn Current Tank Info: 30 Gallon All-Glass-Aquarium, Current USA Orbit 36" 2x96W with MoonLights. LifeReef Overflow into a Custom Compact Berlin Sump w/ VS2-24 Skimmer

09/06/2006, 11:52 AM	#9
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	You could probably do the AquaClear mod for a hang-on fuge. A lot of people have success with these on small tanks. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

09/06/2006, 08:04 AM	#4
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	Would it help reduce alge blooms in the tank at all?

09/06/2006, 09:00 AM	#6
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	I have hair alge on the rock, a bit on the sand. My tank goes through stages. I looks good for some months and them I get an outbreak. I do about a 2 gallon change each week. I do not have a r/o. All my levels have been very steady for weeks. I was hoping something like this would eliminate these blooms. I have a phos pad inside my filter with seemed to help for a while. Just not sure where to go...probably a bigger tank.

09/06/2006, 10:28 AM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I think AquaC makes a nano skimmer for tanks like yours.

09/06/2006, 10:50 AM	#8
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	Would I need a filter along with the skimmer?

09/06/2006, 01:45 PM	#10
pony_killer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 322	i have 2 bak paks protein skimmers on my 46 gallon...so far so good. i also have a wet/dry. im thinking about upgrading my skimmer though, i know theres way better ones out there, just not sure what i should get though. and i don't have a sump either. so many choices

09/06/2006, 02:10 PM	#11
akrimmel Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: HAZELWOOD, MO Posts: 2,260	dont go cheap on a skimmer as you will find yourself wanting to upgrade as you wont be happy with cheap skimmer in this hobby, just do some research and depending on your budget go from there. i suggest save a little until you can afford what you want as you will be happier in the long run as it is so important to have control of your bioload in your tank.

09/06/2006, 02:20 PM	#12
s2svetko Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 157	i run a bakpak2 on my 20gal, its kinda noisy and ive been less than impressed with how much skimmate it produces. I run a coralife skimmer (rated for 125gal) on my 90, i like it a lot better. it makes alot of dark nasty skimmate. the smallest skimmer coralife make is rated for 65 gal which is about the same as the bakpak2. the bakpak is also like $50 more expensive. i own one and i dont personaly recomend it

09/06/2006, 02:23 PM	#13
akrimmel Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: HAZELWOOD, MO Posts: 2,260	i agree with s2svetko been there done that i love the coralife css 125 i have it kicks balls. but the css65 would be great for what you have.

09/06/2006, 02:54 PM	#14
Kiel'thalin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Albany, Georgia Posts: 575	I had a bakpack, it is junk in my experience. Mine was loud, intrusive in the tank, and the skimmate doesn't even compare to the skimmer I got now (Deltec MCE600, worth every penny). Good Luck.

09/06/2006, 03:14 PM	#15
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	This is such a funny thread. Skimming on a tank less than 20 gallons is something I wouldn't worry about. As for the CPR Bak pak being worthless well that is a load of garbage. I used the one I had very successfully on a 55 gallon and a 75 gallon tank without issues. IMO/IME I think the CPR is a really good fit for nano tanks 29 gallons up to 40 gallon breeders. Plus it can be modified relatively easy and the replacement parts are inexpensive as well. Comparing a CPR skimmer to a Deltec in my opinion is unfair. That would be like comparing your Deltec 600 to my Reef Octopus NW-200 which would kick the crap out of it and I am sure I paid less money for it than you did and plus mine is rated for a 320 gallon size tank which I am quite confident it can handle it even with heavy biloads. For what its worth Stidd suggested finding out the root cause of the problem. That is the key. Skimming doesn't remove everything bad that people think. Actually it can remove a lot of good things if you over skim. Eric Borneman has written some articles that mention skimming could cause more harm than good. In my brief experience the answer always relies in the water. Good water quality means a healthy system and in smaller systems that means more frequent water changes. HTH's, Bill __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

09/06/2006, 06:52 PM	#16
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	How many water changes can I do in a week? I do two gallons on a 16 tank. I just feel like I am missing something? Too much rock? I dont know.

09/06/2006, 07:56 PM	#17
J4Life Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,397	Can you post your parameters? That would be a good start. Specifically ph, alk, nitrite, nitrate, cal, po, and salinity/sg. Also are you using RO water? If so do you know what the TDS reading is? Anything higher than 2 and you're adding excess phosphate into your system. Also you could do a 20-30% water change weekly and be okay. That would be about 5 gallons of new salt water each week. How much do you feed and what type of food is it. How many fish if any. There is lots of variables to consider. What type of lighting are you using. Certain lights can attribute to more algae growth. That should get you going, Bill __________________ Go Panthers! Got JC? <o)))>< Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Reef tank

09/07/2006, 03:36 PM	#18
mp5150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 191	Ill post parameters soon. As for the other stuff: I am not using R?O Water Currently in the tank I have: Two Clowns, shrimp, small brain, muchroom rock, small candy cane, a feather duster, and a polup rock. I feed once a day rotating with formula 1 and two flakes, prime reef, and some frozen brine shrimp. Twice a week I add a cap full of zoo. I am running a aquclear filter, and have a power compack 96 watts on for about 5 hours a day.