CPR AeroForce AP User manual

CPR Aquatic, INC•P.O. Box 1111•3749 West End Road, Arcata, CA 95521
AeroForceTM AP (Air Pump)
As many hobbyists venture into the world of reef keeping, a common goal among most is to keep the filtration
system as simple as possible. One of the most important components to filtration is the removal of compounds
which could eventually break down into ammonia and nitrite. The AeroForceTM AP is designed to provide a simple yet
highly efficient protein skimmer for a reef system. The AeroForceTM AP employs a new dual-body chamber to make
maintenance easier and for sturdier construction. Requiring no supplemental plumbing, the AeroForceTM simply
hangs on the back of the tank and can be installed in a few short minutes.
To place your AeroForceTM AP into operation:
1) Carefully remove all packaging and inspect the unit for damaged or missing parts. You should have:
(1) Outer acrylic body
(1) Inner protein skimmer body
(1) Pico400 (feed pump)
(1) MA400 air pump
(2) Wooden air diffusers
(1) Collection cup assembly with “O” ring and lid
(1) Support pin
If any items are damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately.
2) Rinse inside of the AeroForceTM AP with warm water. (optional, but recommended)
3) Remove inner body from outer body. The unit should come with the wooden air duiffusers installed on the inside
of the unit. Secure the two airlines coming out of the air diffusers to the air pump outlets and place the air
pump in a secure location. Insert the airline into the black airline clip on the side of the unit.
4) Slide the inner skimmer body into the outer body. The inlet pipe parts 1 and 2 should line up once the two bodies
are together (see page 4).
5) Attach the Pico4 (5) to the inlet part 2.
6) Hang the AeroForceTM AP on your tank. Use the adjustment screws (7) and support pin (6) to position the
AeroForceTM AP so that it is parallel to the back of the tank. Insert the support pin into the desired position
first, and then adjust the screws accordingly.
7) Clean the collection cup (1) 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. Insert cup inside protein skimmer
section with O-ring placed around the outside. The o-ring acts as a support for the cup to rest on top of the
AeroForceTM AP body. This is not intended to form a seal inside the body.
CPR Technical Support [phone] • FAX [phone]
www.cprusa.com • [email protected]

MAINTENANCE
1) 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.
2) The AeroForceTM AP should be cleaned every three months, or as needed.
3) Clean the feed and air pump at least once a month. Replace the powerhead and air pump every twelve to
eighteen months to ensure optimal performance. To clean the pumps, follow the “Removal and Cleaning of your
Powerhead/Pump” instructions below.
4) The wooden air diffusers should be rinsed regularly using only water (no detergents). The wooden air diffusers can
break if too much pressure is applied during cleaning, so be relatively gentle. The wooden air diffusers should be
replaced every 3-6 months depending on use and how clogged they may be.
REMOVAL AND CLEANING OF YOUR POWERHEAD/PUMP
1) Disconnect the airline tubes from the air pump and set the air pump aside.
2) Remove the Pico 400 pump by pulling straight down on the pump from the inlet part 2.
3) See the next page for pump disassembly images to assist in taking the Pico pump apart. During
disassembly, ensure that no pieces are misplaced. The Pico 400 pump includes a small clear translucent
bushing that the impeller rod fits into (inside red cap) and is required for quiet operation. It can pop out,
so please be careful during disassembly.
4) Wash Pico parts under warm tap water. Do not use any detergents.
5) Make sure that the air pump outlet and the air line itself are clear of any foreign matter, calcium build up
or salt creep before reassembling.
8) Plug in the feed pump (5) first. Once the wooden air diffusers becomes submerged, plug in the air pump (8).
Your AeroForceTM AP is now operational.
The base of the collection funnel should be 1/8” below the water surface for optimal performance. Slide the O-ring (2)
up or down until the desired skimmate wetness is achieved.
It is common that some of the micro-bubbles escape to the tank during the initial set up. The surface tension may rise
due to the oils on the acrylic, additives and/or water conditioners being introduced to the water. The skimmer may pro-
duce excess bubbles until it is able to break down whatever is raising the surface tension of the water. This process can
take from a few days to a number of weeks to clear completely

TROUBLE SHOOTING
Before calling CPR’s Technical Support, please take some time to look over this trouble
shooting guide. Most of the problems associated with the performance of the
AeroForceTM AP are due to improper maintenance of the pumps.
Cleaning the powerhead at least once a month will ensure
optimal performance of the Aero ForceTM
Pico 400 disassembly
Problem: Cause and Solution:
Small air bubbles returning to the tank The surface tension of the water has been increased by added supplements, medications,
or conditioners. Disable the protein skimmer by submerging the airline into the water
or shutting off the air pump for 24 hours. Many products contain chemicals which will
still be present in the aquarium after 24 hours. Run the protein skimmer as normal to
remove compounds which may be affecting surface tension.
The salinity is too high. Lower the salinity to 1.023.
Adjust the red flow controller on the feed pump. Reducing the flow will slow the flow
rate through the skimmer, reducing the draft of bubbles into the tank.
The aquarium has just been cleaned or water has been changed. Synthetic salt mixes
often contain conditioners which increase the surface tension of the water. Bubbles
should disappear within 48 hours.
New substrate has recently been added. The addition of new substrate and the silicates
(as a result) can increase bubble production and decrease bubble size. Perform respon-
sibly aggressive water changes to help the system process through this transition.
No waste collecting in collection cup. The air pump outlet and its airline may be dirty. Clean the whole unit every two weeks
for optimal performance.
The collection cup is not low enough. See instructions for the correct height of the
collection cup.
The biological load may not be sufficient to generate waste. On a new tank or a tank
with supplemental filtration it may take over a week to generate waste foam.
The air pump is producing little or no
bubbles. The airline or the air pump outlet may be blocked. Detritus, calcium and salt will build up in these parts over time. Clean these parts every two to three weeks with warm tap
water.
The air diffusers have become clogged with organic material and the flow rate and the
air output rates are reduced. Clean the air diffusers with water and replace, if necessary.
* a small, clear, translucent bushing is located inside of
the red cap. It can pop out during disassembly, so be
careful to not misplace that required part.

Collection cup (1)
O-Ring (2)
(around cup)
2 Air Diffusers (4)
Inner body (3)
Inlet (part 1)
Diagram A
Adjustment screws (7)
Pico 400 (5)
Collection cup (9)
Inlet
(part 2)
Support pin (6)
Outlet (8)
Inner body slides down into
the outer body. Ensure that
the Inlet (part 1) and Inlet
(part 2) are in line with each
other so that water can pass
through both inlet parts.
* NOT SHOWN - Air pump
- Airline