In Sump Skimmer Preference?

TinnysReef · Apr 30, 2024

Hey R2R,

I’ve had an OLD reef octopus skimmer that was on my 300g that broke a year ago (RIP marine land 300g). Now I’m using it on my new tank. I’ve never been impressed with the way it runs. It just doesn’t skim no matter what I do.

I have the HOB aquamaxx skimmers on my other tanks which are good - but frankly need to be deep cleaned monthly in order to function properly.

I’d love to get a nice in sump big skimmer for my new ~350g tank but don’t want to spend $800 for another nonfunctional skimmer.

Also, I am running ozone. It’s hard to find descriptions on skimmers that state whether something is ozone safe.

Any recommendations? Maybe a controllable one?

Doctorgori · Apr 30, 2024

I already purchased a Red Sea 900 but like you couldn’t quite get under that $800 … yes I looked pretty hard
Although the ReefRun sensors are temperamental I like the control and risk management the reef runs offer for overflows et …
Might be worth considering spending that extra $100

TinnysReef · Apr 30, 2024

Doctorgori said:
I already purchased a Red Sea 900 but like you couldn’t quite get under that $800 … yes I looked pretty hard
Although the ReefRun sensors are temperamental I like the control and risk management the reef runs offer for overflows et …
Might be worth considering spending that extra $100

You're liking the way it's working so far? Glad to hear the red sea ones make the list.

C_AWOL · Apr 30, 2024

It's weird that your reef octopus isn't performing. Even the old generation with bubble blasters did great when I used them. My only guess as to why might be it needing a longer break in period or its currently oversized for the bioload at the moment.
If you can't retrofit it with a new varios (that may improve performance), a bubble magus elite or dare i say the old but bullet proof asm skimmers with a sicce will never stop working. Just lacks fancy bells and whistles you get for some of the more expensive good skimmers on the market.

Doctorgori · Apr 30, 2024

TinnysReef said:
You're liking the way it's working so far? Glad to hear the red sea ones make the list.

yes, with any extra feature is more malarkey, but I have overflow issues
but also thinking may be worth reinvestigating a overhaul, my ReefOcto is still burning after retro

00W · Apr 30, 2024

You can call Jeff at lifereef and ask him if his are OK for ozone use.
Simplicity makes a whole range of affordable dc skimmers that actually work. They have great customer service so I wouldn't hesitate to call them either.
I've used both.
Both work well, lifereef are bullet proof and you can use whatever pump you want.
You can probably find a used one relatively cheap and buy a new pump for it.
Just my 2 cents, nothing more.
I love my octopus. It never stops working, I've had no issues with it, easy to clean and silent which is good because it's in my bedroom.

Best of luck.

TinnysReef · May 1, 2024

C_AWOL said:
It's weird that your reef octopus isn't performing. Even the old generation with bubble blasters did great when I used them. My only guess as to why might be it needing a longer break in period or its currently oversized for the bioload at the moment.
If you can't retrofit it with a new varios (that may improve performance), a bubble magus elite or dare i say the old but bullet proof asm skimmers with a sicce will never stop working. Just lacks fancy bells and whistles you get for some of the more expensive good skimmers on the market.

Thank you. Yeah at first I thought could be a low bioload. But now I've got quite a few fish in there and the socks are filthy so I would expect SOMETHING to skim out.