Venturi Powerhead

AnchormanSD

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2025
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
SoCal
What state or country do you live in
California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Need help finding replacement Venturi pump.

I worked in the late 90’s at CPR Aquatic (Creative Plastic Research), maker of some of the original (maybe THE original) hang on the back of the tank protein skimmers (called the bak pak). It was a cool place and everything was hand made; skimmers, quarantine tanks, etc each made by one guy.
Anyway, I’ve owned their approx 12 gallon MRT (micro reef tank) with a built in skimmer box which was designed to operate with a Rio 600 RVT Venturi powerhead. I’ve had 3 of these Powerheads over the years. 2 have seized and I’m down to only 1.
I have live rock arriving in a few weeks and want to get a backup/replacement pump for when this one eventually dies. This whole set up is nearly 30-yrs old and the Rio powerhead (with Venturi) seems to be discontinued. Anyone have recommendations for a replacement pump? The nozzle has to fit in the skimmer chamber hole so I feel like my options are limited. Throwing a few images if this helps clarify what I’m working with and looking to replace.

IMG_3223.jpeg
IMG_3224.jpeg
IMG_3225.jpeg
IMG_3226.jpeg
 
Need help finding replacement Venturi pump.

I worked in the late 90’s at CPR Aquatic (Creative Plastic Research), maker of some of the original (maybe THE original) hang on the back of the tank protein skimmers (called the bak pak). It was a cool place and everything was hand made; skimmers, quarantine tanks, etc each made by one guy.
Anyway, I’ve owned their approx 12 gallon MRT (micro reef tank) with a built in skimmer box which was designed to operate with a Rio 600 RVT Venturi powerhead. I’ve had 3 of these Powerheads over the years. 2 have seized and I’m down to only 1.
I have live rock arriving in a few weeks and want to get a backup/replacement pump for when this one eventually dies. This whole set up is nearly 30-yrs old and the Rio powerhead (with Venturi) seems to be discontinued. Anyone have recommendations for a replacement pump? The nozzle has to fit in the skimmer chamber hole so I feel like my options are limited. Throwing a few images if this helps clarify what I’m working with and looking to replace.

IMG_3223.jpeg
IMG_3224.jpeg
IMG_3225.jpeg
IMG_3226.jpeg
Saw a few cycling around ebay a few days ago.
The aquaclear powerheads might work.
Sicce makes skimmer pumps, some with the venturi adapter, some without but they have threaded outputs which take pvc fittings.
Best I got good luck!
 
I’m wondering if you ever had any luck finding a replacement pump. I have a CPR Bak Pak 2 that is about 30 years old and the current pump is in very bad shape ( the impeller has come apart, so it makes noise as it turns). I can no longer find the original Rio 600, Accela, or MaxiJet 1200. Marineland does still sell a MaxiJet, but it doesn’t look like I can put the Venturi plate on it.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN REEFING?

  • I saw a reef tank that hooked me

    Votes: 17 21.3%
  • I was already keeping freshwater aquariums

    Votes: 31 38.8%
  • A particular fish got me interested

    Votes: 10 12.5%
  • Corals and inverts were the draw

    Votes: 14 17.5%
  • A friend or family member introduced me

    Votes: 10 12.5%
  • The science and ecosystem challenge appealed to me

    Votes: 16 20.0%
  • I stumbled into it… and here we are

    Votes: 10 12.5%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 10 12.5%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new