CPR Bak-Pak Maintenance

[eefan]

Does anyone here use a CPR Bak-Pak for protein skimmer? What's the best way to clean the whole thing, not just the collection cup? Also, do you keep the Biobale in or do you toss it?

 

[howaboutme]

I have a bak pak 2. I do not use the biobale. That's not for reef tanks. It will be a nitrate trap. I leave the compartment open but may run some media there as needed in the future. I empty the skimmer cup about 1x a week. I rinse the cup w/ tap water and use a paper towel to clean what I can. It's nasty so I don't try to get every single angle....Then about 1 or 2x's a month, I take it offline and open up the pump. I rinse the impeller and basically any other parts that comes out in the process w/ a vinegar water solution. I then blow on the air line to make sure it's clear as well as rinsing it. Skimmer works like new after that. Oh, I also scrub the skimmer compartment when needed but not that often.