Cyclone BakPak II input needed :)

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:19 PM

Thinking of purchasing one of these:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11304/product.web

Its called the Cyclone BakPak II The bio-filter looks nice, but the reef-ready is, well reef ready lol I do have corals and such soo....
not sure which one would be better. Any experienced aquarists have an idea if this would be a good purchase??

I have a Red Sea skimmer AND a Aquaclear110 filter. Would like to get rid of the 110 filter. Could I do that with this?
Or would the Octopus HOT Skimmer be better for that??
Thanks!!!

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:25 PM

What size tank do you have? How many fish and what kind are they? What kind of corals do you have as well?

I'd keep the aquaclear and run carbon only in it. Or you can do a search on here for aquaclear refugium and some people have turned that into a nice little hob refugium.

I don't have any experience with the CPRs but they have gotten good reviews on smaller tanks. I would stay away from the bio-bale stuff.

rbnice1 · 01/21/2010, 12:26 PM

I wouldnt bother with this. Look at eityher the eshopps PSK-100H or the CPR Aeroforce.

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:33 PM

I have a 55g starry blenny 2 bleen chromis, hermits, fighting conch, LR green star polyps, button polyps, red chili cactus, monti, zoas.
Don't have the extra $ to go into a refugium right now. But do want to get away from red sea and aquaclear together. I have pics of my tank I put up yesterday if you want to look. I ready to move "forward" if you will

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:39 PM

I'd get something more robust then the ones you listed. If you are looking for a budget skimmer the eshopps makes a great product. I have the eshopps PSK-100H on my 55 and been really happy with it. I haven't heard anything or have any experience with the CPR Aeroforce.

If you want to spend a little more money the SWC Extreme HOB looks awesome to me. Coralvue/Reef Octopus is also coming out with some interesting looking HOB skimmers but probably would have to wait a little while for those to be available.

Others that seem to get great reviews is the Warner Marine H series. If budget isn't a concern the deltec mce-600 has gotten solid reviews as well as the ATB multi-use cone.

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:44 PM

The eshopps is $140 as the Octopus is $115. I've been hearing they are both good, but not sure. Would I be able to get rid of the aquaclear if I get one of these?

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:46 PM

You could probably get rid of the aquaclear now but like I said I'd keep it to run carbon and/or even gfo in or make into a hob refugium really cheap.

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:49 PM

Should I go to the DIY forum for info on turning aquaclear in fuge? I using carbon, foam and biomax in there right now. Your saying I could 86 the foam and biomax if I decide to keep aquaclear?

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebkramer

Should I go to the DIY forum for info on turning aquaclear in fuge? I using carbon, foam and biomax in there right now. Your saying I could 86 the foam and biomax?

I've seen a few threads on here turning an aquaclear into a refugium. Otherwise yes you can keep the filter as it is now and remove the foam/biomax components and just run carbon and/or gfo.

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:52 PM

gfo??

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebkramer

gfo??

Granular Ferric Oxide which helps to reduce phosphates which most corals don't like a lot of. The carbon would help remove some organic compounds and toxins the corals might release.

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:57 PM

BTW, awesome pic of the blenny in your avatar. Is that yours?

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 12:57 PM

oh, gotcha. I actually am using PhosLoc Carbon...is that the same? or is the gfo better?

jason2459 · 01/21/2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebkramer

oh, gotcha. I actually am using PhosLoc Carbon...is that the same? or is the gfo better?

Don't know much about PhosLoc myself. I use Bulkreefsupply HC GFO and GAC.

thebkramer · 01/21/2010, 01:06 PM

Thanks alot Jason for your help. I have some decisions to make!!

01/21/2010, 12:19 PM	#1
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Cyclone BakPak II input needed :) Thinking of purchasing one of these: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11304/product.web Its called the Cyclone BakPak II The bio-filter looks nice, but the reef-ready is, well reef ready lol I do have corals and such soo.... not sure which one would be better. Any experienced aquarists have an idea if this would be a good purchase?? I have a Red Sea skimmer AND a Aquaclear110 filter. Would like to get rid of the 110 filter. Could I do that with this? Or would the Octopus HOT Skimmer be better for that?? Thanks!!!

01/21/2010, 12:25 PM	#2
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	What size tank do you have? How many fish and what kind are they? What kind of corals do you have as well? I'd keep the aquaclear and run carbon only in it. Or you can do a search on here for aquaclear refugium and some people have turned that into a nice little hob refugium. I don't have any experience with the CPRs but they have gotten good reviews on smaller tanks. I would stay away from the bio-bale stuff. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/21/2010, 12:39 PM	#5
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I'd get something more robust then the ones you listed. If you are looking for a budget skimmer the eshopps makes a great product. I have the eshopps PSK-100H on my 55 and been really happy with it. I haven't heard anything or have any experience with the CPR Aeroforce. If you want to spend a little more money the SWC Extreme HOB looks awesome to me. Coralvue/Reef Octopus is also coming out with some interesting looking HOB skimmers but probably would have to wait a little while for those to be available. Others that seem to get great reviews is the Warner Marine H series. If budget isn't a concern the deltec mce-600 has gotten solid reviews as well as the ATB multi-use cone. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/21/2010, 12:46 PM	#7
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	You could probably get rid of the aquaclear now but like I said I'd keep it to run carbon and/or even gfo in or make into a hob refugium really cheap. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/21/2010, 12:57 PM	#12
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	BTW, awesome pic of the blenny in your avatar. Is that yours? __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/21/2010, 12:26 PM	#3
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	I wouldnt bother with this. Look at eityher the eshopps PSK-100H or the CPR Aeroforce.

01/21/2010, 12:33 PM	#4
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	I have a 55g starry blenny 2 bleen chromis, hermits, fighting conch, LR green star polyps, button polyps, red chili cactus, monti, zoas. Don't have the extra $ to go into a refugium right now. But do want to get away from red sea and aquaclear together. I have pics of my tank I put up yesterday if you want to look. I ready to move "forward" if you will

01/21/2010, 12:44 PM	#6
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	The eshopps is $140 as the Octopus is $115. I've been hearing they are both good, but not sure. Would I be able to get rid of the aquaclear if I get one of these?

01/21/2010, 12:49 PM	#8
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Should I go to the DIY forum for info on turning aquaclear in fuge? I using carbon, foam and biomax in there right now. Your saying I could 86 the foam and biomax if I decide to keep aquaclear?

01/21/2010, 12:52 PM	#10
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	gfo??

01/21/2010, 01:06 PM	#15
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Thanks alot Jason for your help. I have some decisions to make!!