Are BakPaks passe?

I've been out of the loop for the last couple of years (kids, job,
blah, blah) and it seems that the Remora has claimed king of the hill
status for a HOT skimmer. My tank(60G, 100lbs LR, various soft
corals, BakPak2) has been getting regular maintainence but I haven't
been following new products at all. Anyway, I'm getting back into it
now and the "replace the rio routine" has been a sore point for a
while. I tried the maxi-jet but didn't have much luck with the bubble
production.

Everyone seems to like the Remora Pros although there are also seems
to be a fair amount of BakPak supporters still. From anyone has had
both, was the upgrade to the Remora worth it? I don't mind spending
the money if it's worth it but keep in mind that the $200 for a Remora
Pro can buy 10 new rio 800s. Is the maintenance easier? Is the
skimming really that much better? Thoughts?


PS - any good sites for DIY lighting? I want to get all new lighting
at some point, looking for PC or VHO.

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck B wrote:

Everyone seems to like the Remora Pros although there are also seems
to be a fair amount of BakPak supporters still. From anyone has had
both, was the upgrade to the Remora worth it? I don't mind spending
the money if it's worth it but keep in mind that the $200 for a Remora
Pro can buy 10 new rio 800s. Is the maintenance easier? Is the
skimming really that much better? Thoughts?

I've got a BakPak, and it's fine. Zero nitrates, phosphates, etc. Plus,
since I don't have a sump, the return tank is perfect for a thermometer,
dosing, etc.

Mike

Same here.
I have also been using the same RIO that came with mine 7 or 8 years ago..

CW
wrote in message
...
Chuck B wrote:

Everyone seems to like the Remora Pros although there are also seems
to be a fair amount of BakPak supporters still. From anyone has had
both, was the upgrade to the Remora worth it? I don't mind spending
the money if it's worth it but keep in mind that the $200 for a Remora
Pro can buy 10 new rio 800s. Is the maintenance easier? Is the
skimming really that much better? Thoughts?

I've got a BakPak, and it's fine. Zero nitrates, phosphates, etc. Plus,
since I don't have a sump, the return tank is perfect for a thermometer,
dosing, etc.

Mike

Wow, where can I get one like that? I'm not unhappy with it's
performance at skimming, but all the rios I've had just always seem to
lose their "oompf" for moving water after 4 or 5 months. I switch the
venturi adaptor when I get a new pump and everything works great
again. It's this that annoys me, not the Bakpak itself.

Oh well, christmas is coming, maybe I'll buy myself a present.

Chuck

"CheezWiz" wrote in message ...
Same here.
I have also been using the same RIO that came with mine 7 or 8 years ago..

CW

Considering that the motors are simply big coils of wire in epoxy, I do not
understand this phenomena that everyone seems to have with rio's..

I do take mine out, soak all in vinegar, scrub with eheim cleaning brushes
every couple of months.
I have yet to even replace the impeller.....

I have been through many collection cup o-rings and have switched to all
silicone tubing...

CW
"Chuck B" wrote in message
om...
Wow, where can I get one like that? I'm not unhappy with it's
performance at skimming, but all the rios I've had just always seem to
lose their "oompf" for moving water after 4 or 5 months. I switch the
venturi adaptor when I get a new pump and everything works great
again. It's this that annoys me, not the Bakpak itself.

Oh well, christmas is coming, maybe I'll buy myself a present.

Chuck

"CheezWiz" wrote in message
...
Same here.
I have also been using the same RIO that came with mine 7 or 8 years
ago..

CW

"Chuck B" wrote in message
om...
I've been out of the loop for the last couple of years (kids, job,
blah, blah) and it seems that the Remora has claimed king of the hill
status for a HOT skimmer. My tank(60G, 100lbs LR, various soft
corals, BakPak2) has been getting regular maintainence but I haven't
been following new products at all. Anyway, I'm getting back into it
now and the "replace the rio routine" has been a sore point for a
while. I tried the maxi-jet but didn't have much luck with the bubble
production.

Everyone seems to like the Remora Pros although there are also seems
to be a fair amount of BakPak supporters still. From anyone has had
both, was the upgrade to the Remora worth it? I don't mind spending
the money if it's worth it but keep in mind that the $200 for a Remora
Pro can buy 10 new rio 800s. Is the maintenance easier? Is the
skimming really that much better? Thoughts?


PS - any good sites for DIY lighting? I want to get all new lighting
at some point, looking for PC or VHO.

Thanks,
Chuck

Well, it really depend. For those have use other brand like Deltec /
Euro-Reef / Remora / LifeReef and have BakPak will see the differences. If
BakPak work for you and doing it job as you see satifactory, then it just
fine, no need to change / fix.

Everyone tank is difference and you will need to find what item will work
best at your budget.

For DIY lighting, you can alway go to ReefCentral in DIY section.

CapFusion,...

"Chuck B" wrote in message om...
I've been out of the loop for the last couple of years (kids, job,
blah, blah) and it seems that the Remora has claimed king of the hill
status for a HOT skimmer. My tank(60G, 100lbs LR, various soft
corals, BakPak2) has been getting regular maintainence but I haven't
been following new products at all. Anyway, I'm getting back into it
now and the "replace the rio routine" has been a sore point for a
while. I tried the maxi-jet but didn't have much luck with the bubble
production.

Everyone seems to like the Remora Pros although there are also seems
to be a fair amount of BakPak supporters still. From anyone has had
both, was the upgrade to the Remora worth it? I don't mind spending
the money if it's worth it but keep in mind that the $200 for a Remora
Pro can buy 10 new rio 800s. Is the maintenance easier? Is the
skimming really that much better? Thoughts?


PS - any good sites for DIY lighting? I want to get all new lighting
at some point, looking for PC or VHO.

Thanks,
Chuck

Hi Chuck. I've use bak paks on two tanks, seven years old, original RIO'S. I like 'em just fine.