what pump for CPR backpack skimmer?

[surfn]

i've had this skimmer for a loooong time. and lately the pump keeps stopping, i took it apart and noticed that the shaft is rusted on the ends where the grommets fit on.

i *think* the pump, was an old rio (600 maybe?).....the label tore off years ago. the pump is very old and worn down......so i figure best to just replace the pump.

i see the new CPR models use the MJ1200.......but in attempt to improve skimmer performance 2 years ago.....i thought the MJ1200 sucked compared to the rio.....and i've also heard others say the same thing.

i see this new Accela pump being advertised for use with the CPR backpack......anyone know anything about it, or have any other suggestion?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=CPR-ASP1-1000&Category_Code=Bakpak

 

[Hypertek99]

I think you have to mod the MJ1200 to make it work good. Have you seen the bioball mod that makes them into a needlewheel.

 

[surfn]

I think you have to mod the MJ1200 to make it work good. Have you seen the bioball mod that makes them into a needlewheel.

no i haven't....how the heck does it fit into the pump? lol

 

[Hypertek99]

dang do a search on RC it's a cool mod it actually fits in the housing pretty much the bioball is the fins of the pump. You drill out the middle of the bioball and put it on the shaft.

 

[chadfarmer]

Rio 600 RVT has a rejuvenating venturi model

 

[tazzy695]

I thaught they came with the rio 900 not the 600

personaly I am tired of my mj1200 on my cpr it forces the bubbles all the way through the skimmer do to too much flow

 

[turbois300]

hey surfn - did you take out that sponge pad thingy in the output chamber?? I've gotta clean mine soon and I still have it in there but it seems to clogg really easily?? I'd like to make it a bit more efficient on the skimmate too. It gets really light skim most of the time. Then sometimes it gets really thick and dark. Guess its just the skimmer???

 

[surfn]

hey surfn - did you take out that sponge pad thingy in the output chamber?? I've gotta clean mine soon and I still have it in there but it seems to clogg really easily?? I'd like to make it a bit more efficient on the skimmate too. It gets really light skim most of the time. Then sometimes it gets really thick and dark. Guess its just the skimmer???

mine never came with a sponge......FWIW.....mine has always skimmed a light tea mixture.

 

[turbois300]

ok cool. I think I'm gonna remove it then. also has yours ever leaked around the return tube? last time i had a crazy salt buildup arount the outside of the return like there was a leak so I torqued the heck out of it and it doesn't now. maybe its that rubber grommet gone bad.. lemme know what you find on the replacement of the pump. mine is giving up the gusto tho too. Not bad for 8-10 years of continuous service...

 

[surfn]

IMO...i would take yours apart and clean it real good, then dry it out.

take apart the exit tube and inspect the gasket....make sure its not torn. then apply some plumbers silicone gel/grease........just a little bit to the gasket.....but not so much it would touch the water.

i tried the MJ1200 before.....i didn't like the results. it also pushed all the bubbles back into the tank. if no one else speaks up soon, i will probably try out this Accela pump thing.

 

[turbois300]

Where you lookin at getting the accela pump from?

 

[surfn]

Where you lookin at getting the accela pump from?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=CPR-ASP1-1000&Category_Code=Bakpak

 

[turbois300]

Sweet!!!!!!!!! $24 bucks its totally worth a try IMO. I've got a lot of stuff to get...bulb, pump, umm Nuclear Greens.... can't wait for Christmas to be over so that I can start spending money on the tank again!!!

 

[tazzy695]

when I first got my cpr it didn't have a pump so I used an aquaclear 30 on it for a while and thaught it worked prety well except for the fact I had to use an air pump to inject the air as the aquaclear pump couldn't pull the air down into the intake for some reason but made great skimmate with the pump and air pump runing

 

[mfinn]

If anybody is interested, here is a link to the mj1200 mod.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28372

 

[tazzy695]

cool awsome link I will have to try that on my system

 

[turbois300]

Yeah man thanks for the link....I'll have to see which way I go before my origional pump wears out.

 

[tazzy695]

well tested the maxijet mod with a piece of brillow style sponge tied to the impeller and it dosn't realy work that way need some stiff plastic mesh like what they used if you can get it I would guess

will probly have to redoo mine I am getting realy sick of these micro bubbles in my main tank

 

[Hypertek99]

If you search someone used a bioball and drilled out the middle and slip that on the shaft and it worked great.

 

[edwing206]

You beat me to it mfinn!
Skimmerwhisperer(Mark) is a skimmer guru, totally worth a try.