Aqua C vs. CPR bak pak (which to mod)

[rusty18]

I currently have both of these skimmers with the following stock set ups.
(links and descriptions from marinedepot)
Aqua C - http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...mers-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

CPR -
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...mers-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

I have used and use both of them on different tanks and decided they are both too loud as is and could also be more effective with a mod or a few.
The winning skimmer will be set up on a system with about 55-60 gal total (2 tanks and a sump). The skimmer will be set up as a hang on the sump. The main priority is the quietest possible set up given that it is in my bedroom.

If I go with the bak pak I am considering some of the mods that Jennifer showed in here DIY thread. (http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=68297)
This would include a mj1200 and the fishing line "mesh mod", the air stone mod, and given that I don't want to hear water crashing I would make a reverse durso for the outlet back into the sump.

If I pick the Aqua C I would probably follow some of the mods Cardiak showed in his DIY thread. (http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67815&highlight=remora)
This includes the "silencer" insert and modding of the collection cup base. I am not sure if I would go to a larger pump or not, would the mj1200 with the fishing line mesh mod work for the Aqua C as well? For the Aqua C I would also have to glue a sheet of acrylic to the outlet lip on the skimmer, extending it into the sump so I do not have the water crashing (open to other ideas here if you have seen or tried any).

Given that the noise from the skimmer is the main concern and the set up I have, which would you pick and which mods would you go with?

 

[SkimmedOut]

I've exchanged the mj1200 on the Aqua C to an Eheim compact pump (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...eads-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html) to stay with a small pump and get better bubble production. I do believe it works much better. The flow rate is slightly lower than the mj1200, but it pushes the water up with more power, which I think makes the difference for the injector system of the AquaC.

 

[reefsmurf]

I've used both and you're right, they're both noisy. I have read several threads about mods to silence the Remora, but inevitably, it comes at the cost of less (or no) bubbles so let us know how that goes if you go that route. I'd stick with the Remora over the CPR.

 

[afboundguy]

If you do make a durso pipe for the bak pak could you make a DIY thread with photos. I've considered trying this but I don't really see the need because mine is quiet.

Anytime it does get a little loud I just put my hand over the outlet so the water level rises and then it stops making noise. I maybe have to do this once or twice a month. But I'd still def be interested in a durso pipe.

 

[delta]

Skim from the top of the water that alone will make the skimmer work better. The remora with a hagen surface skimmer or the like will increase production.
The AquaC surface skimmer I not a very good surface skimmer

I never had any issues with my remora being loud with a MJ1200 as far as air sucking sounds but the return made noise so I cut
a small piece of acrylic for the water to run down that solved the running water sound

 

[afboundguy]

Skim from the top of the water that alone will make the skimmer work better. The remora with a hagen surface skimmer or the like will increase production.
The AquaC surface skimmer I not a very good surface skimmer

I can't speak to the AquaC but the presurface skimmer box for the bak pak makes it much much better

 

[rusty18]

I've used both and you're right, they're both noisy. I have read several threads about mods to silence the Remora, but inevitably, it comes at the cost of less (or no) bubbles so let us know how that goes if you go that route. I'd stick with the Remora over the CPR.

I am not that concerned with the bubbles since it will be in sump. If i can find away that causes bubbles but make it silent I'm fine with that.

Skimedout: did you notice any difference in the noise the skimmer made with the pump change?

AFbound: I think if I add a durso I would just remove the stock elbow on the end of the outlet and replace it with a 45 of pvc and connect it to a standard reverse durso. If I make one I will try to get some pics but if you search for a "reverse durso" I'm sure there are some on here or RC. Again it will be in my sump so the looks and space are not as much of a concern.
I don't have the stock per surface skimmer box for the CPR but I have the Aqua C one. However the Aqua C preskimmer box I have seems to only fit a rio and the mj 1200 won't fit.

Greg: I read some posts on other forums about setting the mj1200 upside-down to create surface skimming in a sump, they had similar results. I think the noise i get from the Aqua C comes from the collection cup area, its a sucking air sound. the mods Cardiak show look like they would reduce the "air sucking" significantly. Any experience trying to improve the collection cup seal? Did you glue the piece of acrylic to the skimmer, if so did you use weld-on or super glue?

 

[delta]

Acutally in the sump it is all about placment. if you put it close to where the tank water enters(without sucking too many air bubbles) that is the best place No need to surface skim, the over flow already did that.

I have seen huge improvements in skimmers just by moving it to the proper location in the sump. You want to feed the skimmer with raw tank water.
You can cut you skimmers proucdution in half by placing it wrong.

The peice of acrylic was just laid at an angle against the skimmer and I have had a remora setup in the sump, It actually work better there. I never had a sucking sound though so I never had to do a mod or anything for that.

That is my one grip with the remora they should have made it so the injector was in a close chamber with an air valve like the EV series. I would say that is th route I would be looking to for the MOD. In the area of the injector sealing it off from the collction cup and adding an air valve preferably with a remote inlet through a tube. this could be accomplished with a few soft rubber seals, a fitting, lenth of tubing and a valve.

 

[stingythingy45]

"This would include a mj1200 and the fishing line "mesh mod", the air stone mod, and given that I don't want to hear water crashing I would make a reverse durso for the outlet back into the sump."

Why would you need a reverse durso for the water outlet?
Doesn't the water line in your sump put that elbow underwater?
I ran a Bak Pak RR on a 55 gallon for a year with little problems(except collection cup adjusting frequently).It's on my 20L QT tank now and has the MJ1200/gutter guard mods.

 

[rusty18]

Bob: My elbow outlet on the Bak Pak does site below the water (when used as a hang on the tank) but it bubbles and makes a bubbling sound, I think this is where most of the noise I get from this skimmer is coming from. If I place the reverse durso on the outlet I think it would eliminate any bubbling noise. I also thought about drilling a small hole on the top of the outlet tube to act similar to a reverse durso but the outlet won’t be long enough to make it to the water level in my sump. That’s why I though about adding a durso to extend the outlet below the sump water level.

Greg: Have you found any articles or forums that mention the "closed chamber injector" mod your suggesting? I was planning to place the skimmer (which ever one I go with) right next to the tank drains with the hope that it would be the most effective place to get skim from.

 

[stingythingy45]

"Bob: My elbow outlet on the Bak Pak does site below the water (when used as a hang on the tank) but it bubbles and makes a bubbling sound, I think this is where most of the noise I get from this skimmer is coming from."

Wondering how old this skimmer is,Rusty.
My CPR is about a year old and there's very little bubbles that escape out the outlet elbow.I'm thinking there was a design change done on the CPR RR model.Maybe there's an extra chamber now before the outlet side.

 

[delta]

No I haven't seen anyone take that route, that is just where I was going when I realize why waste my time as I was upgrading and bought an EV series. It would be a very easy MOD without having to upgrade you pump and it would fix the one missing feature on the AquaC Remora and Urchin. The ability to fine tune the skimmer although if you overdrive the skimmer just bit with a air valve you would have total control. Even with out the MOD my remora cranked it filled the cup atleast once every 3day on 30gal. But it is also bioload based so that proablyt doesn;t help anyone to know

 

[stingythingy45]

Ok,mine is the Bak Pak 2R+ on this website.
BTW,they're offering a new pump for these skimmers.

http://www.cprusa.com/products/bakpaks.html

 

[rusty18]

Bob: I think mine is the Bak Pak original, a few years old. May be there are a few slight differences in the new ones. Looks like yours has a "tri chamber" set up and mine seems to be only a "dual chamber". For what ever reason I have a lot of bubble that end up int he display when used as a hang on the tank. May be with a more powerful pump than the rio it will create less larger bubbles?

 

[stingythingy45]

Bob: I think mine is the Bak Pak original, a few years old. May be there are a few slight differences in the new ones. Looks like yours has a "tri chamber" set up and mine seems to be only a "dual chamber". For what ever reason I have a lot of bubble that end up int he display when used as a hang on the tank. May be with a more powerful pump than the rio it will create less larger bubbles?

Yup,I see that now.Mine has the 3 chambers that helps eliminate bubbles.
Perhaps you could do the same by adding to you exit tube,elbow back up at same height as the exit tube and then reverse durso back down.Sounds like a lot of work though.

 

[SkimmedOut]

I am not that concerned with the bubbles since it will be in sump. If i can find away that causes bubbles but make it silent I'm fine with that.

Skimedout: did you notice any difference in the noise the skimmer made with the pump change?

/QUOTE]

Maybe a bit more of a sucking noise. The silencer may fix that problem, but mine's in the living room, so I don't mind. After a few days now, it's really cranking out foam my old mj1200 just never did. I have to raise the waste container past the middle mark b/c it's filling a bit fast and wet from my 30gal.