prizm vs cpr bak-pak 2 skimmer???

[skowens]

I am currently concidering an upgrade of my 55 fo to start keeping some live rock which means an upgrade in lights and the addition of a skimmer. I am looking at the prism skimmer and the cpr bak-pak 2 skimmer. Not a lot of price difference, which if either would be recommended? Also how much lighting is recommended for live rock and possibly some polyps and shroms? I have looked at a compact fluorescent fixture with a total of 110watts by All Glass and also at the Hamilton VHO system, this would give me twice as much light but do I really need it for what I want to do? No desire or pocketbook to keep corals. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Mabu]

While I haven't used the Prizm, I have used the BakPak and I think it's great. I have one on my 55 and it works well. I just bought another for a new 30 I'm setting up. The Prizm IMO looks cheap and I can't imagine it working as well as the BakPak. I got my last BakPak IIr off eBay for $110.

 

[Anonymous]

The Prizm can't skim itself out of a paper bag. Get the bak-pak however I would call a Bak-Pak on a 55 gal to be a bit marginal. You'd be much better off with an Aqua C Remora.

 

[Anonymous]

Go with the bakpak.

 

[wet thumb]

I have been running both a Prizm and bak-pak in my 90 gal reef tank for the past 2 months. The bak-pak pulls off much more.

 

[HARRISON]

I have been using a bak-pac for a year now and I like it. It always pulls out lots of gunk...Easy to use and clean...I would get another if I had the need.

 

[skowens]

Thanks for the responses. It appears to be somewhat unanimus for the Bak-Pak. Any opinions on the lights I need for live rock and maybe some polyps and things of that nature?

 

[Anonymous]

However if you have the option, I agree with the remora suggestion as well.

Glenn

 

[tetra]

I saw the remora in action and boy it kicks butt. I do have a bak pak..so my question is what is the best pump to use?

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Prizm on my 10 gallon nano. It is junk. It soaked the carpet in my office. It's skimming power is marginal. It needs constant readjustment. It does not skim from the surface. I bought it mainly because I thought it would be adequate for my 10 gallon tank. It is when it works, but requires constant maintenace.

I've had a backpack II on my 55 for 3 years and have no regrets whatsoever. It is perfectly adequate.

As for lights, I have four 55W and two 96 W compact fluorescents. I added in the two 96 W lamps when I found the four 55 W alone were not adequate. Now I can keep anything, although if I were to do it all over again I would get two 150 W double-ended HQI metal halide lamps for about the same price and possibly less power consumption.

You don't need the lights for the rock per se. But you will want them to keep corals, clams, or any other photosynthetic organisms.