CPR BAKPAK 2 Skimmer question

[dnott3]

I have a CPR bakpak 2 I got from someone at work. It has been working great and pulling stuff out. My question is, why is the collection cup filling up so fast? It is very wet like tea colored. I dump it on average like 1.5-2 times a week. It didn't start doing it until about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I have adjusted the cup and the amount of air but it is still the same result. Any advice?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Keep adjusting?

Have you started adding anything different to the tank? New food, supplements, new chemistry?

 

[User1]

Hi,

They are great little skimmers. How do you have it setup? Are you using the filter media they provided or a different type? And are you using a muffler to quiet it down?

I used to run one on my 29 gallon bio cube and later a 40 breeder. It has been a few years but when I remember the skimmate being a lighter shade of green or tea as you say it was skimming wet. So I would try and increase bubble size, not super fine, and raise the cup higher. Between the two I'd get a dryer skim, more thick foam, and the result would be darker green brown skimmate. You knew because when you removed the collection cup to empty the bottom had a nice thick caking of skimmate you had to clean using a toothbrush.

Not sure if this helps but see if you can raise it higher, the cup, and get a dry thick foam.

 

[dnott3]

Keep adjusting?

Have you started adding anything different to the tank? New food, supplements, new chemistry?

I have not changed anything in the tank.

Hi,

They are great little skimmers. How do you have it setup? Are you using the filter media they provided or a different type? And are you using a muffler to quiet it down?

I used to run one on my 29 gallon bio cube and later a 40 breeder. It has been a few years but when I remember the skimmate being a lighter shade of green or tea as you say it was skimming wet. So I would try and increase bubble size, not super fine, and raise the cup higher. Between the two I'd get a dryer skim, more thick foam, and the result would be darker green brown skimmate. You knew because when you removed the collection cup to empty the bottom had a nice thick caking of skimmate you had to clean using a toothbrush.

Not sure if this helps but see if you can raise it higher, the cup, and get a dry thick foam.

It has been running smooth. I had to buy a new power head for it. I found a skimmer/ bubble trap that really helps. Keeps the top of the water looking great.

I haven't been running any media in it. I do have some of the bio bale for it, just never put it in. I am using a pill bottle for a muffler. I will try and raise the cup up some more and see what it does.

 

[User1]

I have not changed anything in the tank.


It has been running smooth. I had to buy a new power head for it. I found a skimmer/ bubble trap that really helps. Keeps the top of the water looking great.

I haven't been running any media in it. I do have some of the bio bale for it, just never put it in. I am using a pill bottle for a muffler. I will try and raise the cup up some more and see what it does.

Cool - that is about how I ran mine. Heater, no filter media, and the pill bottle cotton muffler. So the only thing to try is to thicken up the foam and raise the cup. You want a thicker foam which should lead to a darker skimmate.