Opinions: Bak-Pak skimmer vs. Aqua C hang on skimmer

[Janice]

I have a remora on our 29g and to reduce splashing and micro bubbles I put a small sponge filter on the return.

What the hell? Why is my post before yours?

[Derek B]

I currently have a Bak-Pak hang-on skimmer for my 65g and have been running it for 3 years (on the same Rio 600 to all the Rio bashers out there....knock on wood) and want to switch to the Bak-Pak 2 to eliminate the water splashing from the water return. Aqua C has the same design on the return as my old Bak-Pak, but seems to be a more efficient skimmer than the Bak-Pak according to all the comments I have read. So my predicament is, do I get the Aqua C and still have the splashing or do I get the Bak-Pak 2 (which is still a great skimmer) and eliminate it? Please offer up some advice.

[z28pwr]

Janice, that is funny according to the board you are the author of the post but yet you are the response :-D .


:-D :-D

[Janice]

:hammer:

[captexas]

I have an Aqua C Remora with the mag pump on my 58. It's the only skimmer I've had so I can't really help you in comparing it to others. I had it hanging on the back of the tank, but moved it once I put in a sump. They make a prefilter box for the Aqua C that costs about $30. It has an overflow on one side where the pump fits in and the return water goes down the other side. On that side there is a opening in the bottom with a sponge to eliminate bubbles from going in the main tank. It works pretty good, but is a little bulky to have in your tank. I had a hard time keeping mine level in the water as there is only a thumb screw that tightens on the pump to hold it in place. If you check out Marine Depot's catalog/website you can see what it looks like. There is one that fits the Rio pumps and one for Mag pumps.

You could always attach some sponge, filter floss, or plastic/rubber to the return to dampen the water fall effect.

[Derek B]

Thanks Cap!

[dow]

If you have or plan on having a sump, you might look at the Aqua C Urchin. I use one and am driving it with the maxijet 1200 pump. Works like a dream.

[MikeP]

I second this, I have an Urchin in the sump on my 46 gallon tank it pulls out a lot of gunk. Better than that POS seaclown I got suckered into buying , thinking of using it for a kalk stirrer maybe.

[captexas]

Hehe, I didn't want to have to buy another skimmer, but didn't want to keep the Remora on the back of the tank either after I added my sump. So now I have it sitting in the sump wedged against a baffle next to where the water enters the sump. It works, not as good as it used to on top of the tank, but it's good for now. My stand is not very tall and having the 29gallon sump in it pretty much prevents me from putting anything else in there!

[Richard]

I have used both the Remora and the Bak-Pak and the Remora is definitely a more efficient skimmer. We normally carry both at the store but I think we are out of the Remora's right now and only have 1 Urchin Pro left. Should get more in about 2 weeks and I think our pricing is identical to online prices.

Richard
CB Pets

[Derek B]

Richard, What is the difference between the Remora and the Remora Pro. Also, what is your pricing on these and where are you guys located?

[TexasState]

TechGrad,
For your size tank, I would go with the Remora Pro. Check out the articles reviews here:
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/reviews.htm

[Derek B]

How loud are the Remoras? My Bak-Pak is silent and I promised my wife the new one would be quiet as well since the tank will be in our living room. ;) You know, got to keep the wife happy :-D

[captexas]

My Remora isn't noisy or anything. My problem is my fans in the canopy are so loud you can't hear anything else! If you have Richard order you one or you order one online at someplace like Marine Depot, you might want to get the one that has the drain fitting on the side so it will drain into a larger container with the addition of a little tubing.

[Richard]

Techgrad
We've been selling the Remoras for $159 and the Remora Pro with mag 3 upgrade for $229. It's about 20 bucks less for the Remora Pro with the Rio pump.

Richard

[DaBird]

Hi all...I'm new as of yesterday and allready really like this place. Techgrad , Richard's store ( CB Pets ) is in the new HEB centre on 46 & 281. It is a great store and just up the road from you, the owners ( Richard & Mark ) allways go out of there way to help get whatever I want . They have good pricing and everything ya might want. I'm not a stockholder or anything , :D , but it's just nice to see a new LFS in the area that's so good at what they do. Anyway when I need to go to the LFS , I only go there. I have a 1 yr. old 75 oceanic thats doing great. I'm SLOWLY getting it to where I want it. So many corals , So little money :cry: . O well I'll try to keep the Big picture in mind........DaBird

[Derek B]

Thanks DaBird. I didn't even know they existed until today. I will for sure go check them out. Thanks to all for the opinions. I think I am going to try and work out a trade with Vinh for a Precision Marine.