help modding

[DetectiveTofu]

aloha all

I have a CPR BAK-PAK with the Rio powerhead swapped out for a MaxiJet 1200 powerhead. I added the venturi mod to the MJ1200 to make it work with the BAK-PAK.

I am seeking advice/experiences people have had with modifying the CPR BAK-PAK for even more effeciency and for more optimum performance. Any ideas or recommendations? TIA

 

[Dyngoe]

I know it sounds dangerous, but I actually saw one that had a recirculating mod. My friend cut into the side and added a moded maxijet with a mesh wheel. I don't think I've ever seen a HOB skimmer work so well. Now, he was a MASTER with acrylic so I won't say it was easy. I'll email him and see if he has a pic of it. Basically you get two 1/4" uniseals, some silicone glue, mesh and clear acrylic tube. I think you get the basic idea.

 

[tuberider]

I've seen them with a simple wooden airstone to increase the bubble quantity. That recirc mod sounds very cool. Dyngoe was the pump mounted externally?

 

[DetectiveTofu]

how would I go about getting the airline into bubble chamber (the collection cup blocks the entire top). How often would I need to replace the wooden air stone, and would it really improve skimming that much?

 

[Dyngoe]

Hey Tube,

Yes the pump was external. Attached to the side of the canister just like a recirc on a euro-reef. It worked VERY well for a HOB. In fact we may do it again for another friens who has an aqua-c.

 

[tuberider]

Rhythmicfire, I've seen some mods where the airline is plumbed through the collection cup, and some via a small hole drilled through the "overflow" side into the skimmer body. Bout once a month you wwant to change airstones, depends on the integrity of the individual airstone, some seem to be from a bunk part of the tree, some are the kind it all depends. As far as benefits, I've never done the mod myself, however judging from what I've seen it has potential to make an O.K. skimmer into a pretty good skimmer esp. for an HOB.

Dyngoe, that's really cool a good HOB at a decent $ is hard to come by. I wonder though if there would be anyway to plumb the recirc pump from the return side of the skimmer to mitigate any leaks from the pump/uniseals hmm.....

 

[DetectiveTofu]

thank you =)

 

[Nuuze]

Is this what you looking for:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=MJ-VENT&Category_Code=Maxijet

I think this is what the new bakpaks come with.

 

[DetectiveTofu]

Nuuze, I already have that mod for my MJ1200, thanks. I was just looking for methods to better the performance of the BAK-PAK

=)