Instructions:

The importance of the protein skimmer in the modern marine aquarium has been acknowledged by aquarists worldwide, but until now these skimmers required the use of a sump and expensive modifications to the tank. The Bak-Pak 2^sm is designed to provide a combination protein skimmer/biological filter that simply hangs on the back of the aquarium with no plumbing required. The Bak-Pak 2^sm can be used to replace or supplement an existing system and comes complete with the Rio RVT Venturi powerhead and our Bio-Bale^TM filter media. The Bak-Pak 2^sm has been improved over the original Bak-Pak^sm with the addition of an enclosed directional outflow to reduce salt creep, a removable inlet for easy cleaning, and a new break resistant collection cup.

To place your Bak-Pak 2^sm into operation:

1) Carefully remove all packaging and inspect the unit for damaged or missing parts. You should have:

(1) Skimmer body with Bio Bale^TM filter media
(1) RVT Venturi powerhead
(1) Collection cup with “O” ring and lid
(1) Outlet assembly
(1) Inlet assembly

If any of these items is damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately.

2)If you have a glass aquarium or an acrylic aquarium with an opening that is wide enough for the powerhead to slide in, then attach the powerhead to the inlet assembly as shown and hang the Bak-Pak 2^sm on your tank. Use the adjustment screws to position the Bak-Pak 2^sm so that it is parallel to the back of the tank.

3) If the powerhead does not fit through the opening of the aquarium where the inlet fits into then place the Bak-Pak 2^sm on the tank and insert the powerhead into the inlet from inside the aquarium. Make sure that the muffler on the end of the long air line is outside of the water at all times.

4) Clean the collection cup including the throat of the funnel in hot water. This will cause the skimmer to begin collecting waste faster. Do not use any detergents on the collection cup.

5) Plug in the powerhead. Your Bak-Pak 2^sm is now operational. (Note: The outlet elbow can be raised, lowered, and rotated to obtain desired flow patterns.)

6) The quality of foam in the collection cup can be adjusted by sliding the “O” ring up or down. If the foam is too wet, raise the collection cup up by sliding the “O” ring down until the desired wetness is achieved. The base of the collection funnel should be 1/8” below the water surface for optimal performance, but can be adjusted down from this point if the foam is too dry (little to no liquid present) or up if the foam is too wet (clear liquid only in collection cup).

7) We have added an air control valve on your new Cyclone Bak-Pak 2^sm. This valve will allow you to control the amount of air being drawn into the powerhead. We recommend initially opening the valve completely for maximum air flow into the skimmer. If it does not appear that the skimmer column is filled with bubbles, slowly close the valve until the column is full.

Maintenance

The collection cup should be emptied regularly. Every time you empty the cup, clean the base of the funnel and the inside of the throat for better collection.

The Bio-Bale^TM should be cleaned every three months, or as needed. Remove the Bio-Bale^TM filter media and place it in a bucket of saltwater. Swish the Bio-Bale^TM around in the water to remove any algae or detritus. Shake off any excess water before returning it back to the bio chamber of the Bak-Pak 2^sm. Never use detergents of any kind on the Bio-Bale^TM and do not allow it to dry out. Make sure not to pack the Bio-Bale^TM too tightly when placing it back into your Bak-Pak 2^sm.

Clean the powerhead at least once a month. For instructions on cleaning the powerhead, click here. Replace the impeller assembly once a year for the most efficient operation. The inlet and outlet may be removed and cleaned as needed. Be sure to replace the washers on each assembly when reassembling your Bak-Pak 2^sm. With the fittings removed the body can be cleaned with warm tap water and an algae scrubber. Be carefull when removing and assembling the inlet and outlet fittings. Do not over tighten these fittings as this may cause them to break.