BakPak Airstone Mod Works 10X Better!!!

bigben · 01/30/2000, 12:47 AM

Hi,

After many recommendations, I did the bakpak airstone mod with a Tetra Luft Pump. It's now pulling about a cupful of gunk per hour!! I also added a nice big bag of carbon to the bakpak. The tank is now about 1/3 more clear than it was before, although I still can't see to the other end. I think I'm gonna do about a 25% water change for the next several day...Thanks for the help everyone!!

Ben

------------------
"Bake 'em away, toys."

--Police Chief Wigham

jimhobbs · 01/30/2000, 05:09 AM

You'll want to play with the air adjustment to darken up the skimmate somewhat...Also watch the SG of the tank for the next few days...The carbon should be removed after a few days, since its dessicant qualities will have exhausted...If desired, it can be replaced with more carbon, or run with the airstone alone...Just some thoughts...jim

Rinaldi · 01/30/2000, 08:17 AM

Can you describe the modification again? I know I saw it recently but I forget exactly where. I replaced my Bakpak II with a Turbo 1000, but I have another tank that could use the Bakpak if I can get more performance out of it. Thanks.

Rinaldi · 01/30/2000, 08:17 AM

Can you describe the modification again? I know I saw it recently but I forget exactly where. I replaced my Bakpak II with a Turbo 1000, but I have another tank that could use the Bakpak if I can get more performance out of it. Thanks.

Larry M · 01/30/2000, 08:53 AM

Rinaldi--Ewan sent us a diagram, you can see it here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/bakpakmod.htm

------------------
Larry M

See my tanks at Northern Reef

bigben · 01/30/2000, 12:42 PM

Ewan,

That sounds great!! The supposed "bubble trap/prefilter" on mine doesn't work at all. CPR fed me some bull about it, so as soon as you can (with Larry's help), post the info!! I'd be forever grateful!! Also, it doesn't look like the "skimmate" isn't any more concentrated than the beautiful olive green tankwater. I guess I'm gonna do like a 50% water change or something, cause the skimming aint cuttin' the mustard...Any thoughts? Thanks again everyone,

Ben

------------------
"Bake 'em away, toys."

--Police Chief Wigham

Larry M · 01/30/2000, 12:52 PM

Space guaranteed for that one, Ewan.

------------------
Larry M

See my tanks at Northern Reef

Doug · 01/30/2000, 06:34 PM

Hi Everyone,

Thanks Bigben for posting this and Ewan for the great drawing. I had tried this mod before with a normal airstone but I think it was too corse because the bubbles were too large. So after seeing this post today I tried it with a small wooden airstone.

It is producing an extreme amount of small bubbles inside the skimmer and I may have to cutback on the venturi. BTW, I am using an old Whisper 300 airpump and would guess that a better pump would help even more. I do notice a few bubble going into the tank but not a lot.

Also, I used the handle of a glass cleaner/scraper to fish the airstone into the backpac.

Thanks again.

Doug

------------------
Doug's Reef and Fish Page

bigben · 01/30/2000, 11:23 PM

Hey, I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support for the last couple of weeks since I joined this board. It seems that the people on this board are far more considerate and willing to go the extra mile for others to learn, as compared to the other board I'm a member of. I feel "at home" here with yall. Thanks again!!

Ben

------------------
"Bake 'em away, toys."

--Police Chief Wigham

Ewan · 01/30/2000, 11:43 PM

It's the tetra luft pump that does it!

It makes it easy to fine-tune (rheostat) and it's simply the best pump for running a skimmer. I have talked to people that have removed the venturi portion of the Rio after applying the airstone mod.

Next up: completely eliminating bubbles from the return of the Bak Pak II. I have finally figured out a method that works. Hopefully Larry will donate some more space once I get the html done.

keep on friggin'

E.

DougL · 01/30/2000, 11:50 PM

Doug,
If you overdrive a wood diffuser, the bubble size will increase. If its working well ...
If you find the wood diffusers a pain, try a 4" ceramic diffuser. I believe Reta made them. I used a pair of 6" on my big
skimmer
and hardly ever had to clean them.

On a tall skimmer, you definitely need a pump with high pressure. I used the Luff on my 3'
skimmer.

Hope this helps;

DougL

------------------
Email: doug.lockwood@ameritech.com
Home email: douglxyzzy@netscape.net

Homepage sites.netscape.net/douglxyzzy/homepage

01/30/2000, 12:47 AM	#1
bigben Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 1,332	Hi, After many recommendations, I did the bakpak airstone mod with a Tetra Luft Pump. It's now pulling about a cupful of gunk per hour!! I also added a nice big bag of carbon to the bakpak. The tank is now about 1/3 more clear than it was before, although I still can't see to the other end. I think I'm gonna do about a 25% water change for the next several day...Thanks for the help everyone!! Ben ------------------ "Bake 'em away, toys." --Police Chief Wigham

01/30/2000, 05:09 AM	#2
jimhobbs Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Birmingham,Al. Posts: 4,246	You'll want to play with the air adjustment to darken up the skimmate somewhat...Also watch the SG of the tank for the next few days...The carbon should be removed after a few days, since its dessicant qualities will have exhausted...If desired, it can be replaced with more carbon, or run with the airstone alone...Just some thoughts...jim

01/30/2000, 08:17 AM	#3
Rinaldi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: South Riding, Virginia Posts: 335	Can you describe the modification again? I know I saw it recently but I forget exactly where. I replaced my Bakpak II with a Turbo 1000, but I have another tank that could use the Bakpak if I can get more performance out of it. Thanks.

01/30/2000, 08:53 AM	#5
Larry M Moved On Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Burnsville,MN In the heart of Reef Country! Posts: 4,544	Rinaldi--Ewan sent us a diagram, you can see it here: http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/bakpakmod.htm ------------------ Larry M See my tanks at Northern Reef

01/30/2000, 12:42 PM	#6
bigben Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 1,332	Ewan, That sounds great!! The supposed "bubble trap/prefilter" on mine doesn't work at all. CPR fed me some bull about it, so as soon as you can (with Larry's help), post the info!! I'd be forever grateful!! Also, it doesn't look like the "skimmate" isn't any more concentrated than the beautiful olive green tankwater. I guess I'm gonna do like a 50% water change or something, cause the skimming aint cuttin' the mustard...Any thoughts? Thanks again everyone, Ben ------------------ "Bake 'em away, toys." --Police Chief Wigham

01/30/2000, 12:52 PM	#7
Larry M Moved On Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Burnsville,MN In the heart of Reef Country! Posts: 4,544	Space guaranteed for that one, Ewan. ------------------ Larry M See my tanks at Northern Reef

01/30/2000, 06:34 PM	#8
Doug Reefkeeping Ninja Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 12,868	Hi Everyone, Thanks Bigben for posting this and Ewan for the great drawing. I had tried this mod before with a normal airstone but I think it was too corse because the bubbles were too large. So after seeing this post today I tried it with a small wooden airstone. It is producing an extreme amount of small bubbles inside the skimmer and I may have to cutback on the venturi. BTW, I am using an old Whisper 300 airpump and would guess that a better pump would help even more. I do notice a few bubble going into the tank but not a lot. Also, I used the handle of a glass cleaner/scraper to fish the airstone into the backpac. Thanks again. Doug ------------------ Doug's Reef and Fish Page

01/30/2000, 11:23 PM	#9
bigben Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 1,332	Hey, I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support for the last couple of weeks since I joined this board. It seems that the people on this board are far more considerate and willing to go the extra mile for others to learn, as compared to the other board I'm a member of. I feel "at home" here with yall. Thanks again!! Ben ------------------ "Bake 'em away, toys." --Police Chief Wigham

01/30/2000, 11:43 PM	#10
Ewan Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Posts: 2,594	It's the tetra luft pump that does it! It makes it easy to fine-tune (rheostat) and it's simply the best pump for running a skimmer. I have talked to people that have removed the venturi portion of the Rio after applying the airstone mod. Next up: completely eliminating bubbles from the return of the Bak Pak II. I have finally figured out a method that works. Hopefully Larry will donate some more space once I get the html done. keep on friggin' E.

01/30/2000, 11:50 PM	#11
DougL Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Wheaton Il Posts: 374	Doug, If you overdrive a wood diffuser, the bubble size will increase. If its working well ... If you find the wood diffusers a pain, try a 4" ceramic diffuser. I believe Reta made them. I used a pair of 6" on my big skimmer and hardly ever had to clean them. On a tall skimmer, you definitely need a pump with high pressure. I used the Luff on my 3' skimmer. Hope this helps; DougL ------------------ Email: doug.lockwood@ameritech.com Home email: douglxyzzy@netscape.net Homepage sites.netscape.net/douglxyzzy/homepage