CPR Bak-Pak troubles, anyone else?

[dicearx]

I just bought a used CPR Bak-pak HOB skimmer, it came with the Rio pump, but I had a Maxi-jet 1200 and decided to use that because of some things that I have heard about Rio pump and I believe it offers more flow...The maxi-jet however is not allowing air into the skimmer, instead of sucking from the air hose, it is spitting water out of it. I was wondering if this can be solved or if anyone else has had this problem.
I was also wondering if Rio pumps are bad pumps to have, do they "melt down" like I've heard?

 

[spidey07]

you'll need the venturi kit for the maxijet1200. cost a couple bucks online.

 

[JohnH1970]

I never had a problem with the Rio on my CPR. If you go to cprusa.com, they recommend against the MJ1200, I think partly because the increased flow decreases the bubble dwell time.

 

[dicearx]

So what's the deal with Rio's melting down? Is that true, is it a myth? From what I've heard they break down and the oil leaks into your tank, I think, and kills everything.

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

I've heard that

 

[tankfly]

oil?
I don't think there is any oil in a power head. I have always used the RIO pumps with my BAK PAK. the maxijet is too loud and too much flow. The important thing is to optimize the dwell time. The only problem with the RIO, IMO is that the impellers can be a little out of balance which causes vibrating.

 

[Toddrtrex]

First off, I have never had a RIO melt down, I am not doubting others have, but I haven't. From my understanding the newer Rios (UL Listed) do not have oil in them. So that if they fail they will not "nuke" your tank.
That being said, I have a Bak-Pak on my 29, I tried a MJ on it, could never get it to work right, went back to the RIO, works great.

HTH

 

[wetWolger]

rio's melting down was an old problem the name was able to shake. It happened to a small percentage a while ago. But modern rio's do not melt down in your tank. However they are still cheaply built POS that will fail and stop working with normal use. The disposiable powerhead.

 

[Bluetangclan]

been using RIOs in my BakPaks for several years now with zero problems. For some of RIO's other products I have had alot of problems(like having to beat on them to get them to work at all) with but the ones on the BakPaks have always worked like a charm.

 

[unsane]

go with the rio. It works much better than the MJ inmo. You can do the airstone mod instead.