Bubble king vs Recirculating reef Octo skimmer??

[m.kristoff]

air vent line plumbed out of the T before the 90 turn down into (what I imagine to be) the sump?

That is factory and it does dump into the sump. the Air vent is for anti-siphon. I have not had any issue with it being elevated. No micro bubbles in the display tank either.

 

[m.kristoff]

I’ve tried multiple in sump skimmers over the years and disliked every one .
Constantly adjusting , emptying collection cups , every time they’re cleaned it takes a few days to dial in again .

my first external recirculating skimmer was a reef octopus .
other than needing a second pump to supply the skimmer it worked great .
The issue with reef octopus I could not find parts once the union started leaking .
the pvc used is a weird size not available here .

I switched to a Mrc recirculating skimmer .
Requires a large pump to supply a lot of water ( jeabo dc 9000) but it skims like a beast !
Parts are affordable and Not too hard to find .
( made in USA )

I have run bubble kings forever and kind felt like a "skimmer snob" for it! I locked myself into thinking that it was the be all end all for skimming and didn't bother researching. I am really happy with the Ocoto. The pumps are easily replaceable- Varios 4's. Both being DC's really made this skimmer adjustable and I can see it in the collection cup. I have the Recirc pump running at setting 4 and the feed pump running at 3. seems to be a great balance. I did see a bump in my PH. This thing draws air!

As far as the metric PVC, it came with the adapters to convert it to US. BRS also has them

 

[Rmckoy]

I have run bubble kings forever and kind felt like a "skimmer snob" for it! I locked myself into thinking that it was the be all end all for skimming and didn't bother researching. I am really happy with the Ocoto. The pumps are easily replaceable- Varios 4's. Both being DC's really made this skimmer adjustable and I can see it in the collection cup. I have the Recirc pump running at setting 4 and the feed pump running at 3. seems to be a great balance. I did see a bump in my PH. This thing draws air!

As far as the metric PVC, it came with the adapters to convert it to US. BRS also has them

To connect it to sae I ended up using a fernco style clamp ( essentially a rubber tube with gear clamps at each end .

it started leaking and I tried tightening it . Cracked the fitting above the ball valve .
not being able to find metric pvc it was thrown out .
I still have the recirculating pump … might need it some day lol

Mrc was a huge upgrade .
this thing is a beast ! Love it

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Life Reef is the best skimmer I’ve ever had, and I’ve lost count of the different ones. Set it and forget it Every two weeks I clean the collection cup, and wipe the throat out with a damp paper towel. I’ve gone over a month. Will work with any pump, just match the GPM. No Needle wheel. I run a flex brush through the Venture, once in a while, usually when I’m going to be away. Don’t even have to pull the skimmer. I was adjusting it, if I thought I needed more skim. Figured out it was better to add One Gallon of Saltwater, and One Quart of RO/DI to bring the sump level up and not touch the valve. Recently I had to replace the “O” Ring, got a package of Ten and #229Buna-N 50A Durometer. 2-3/8” ID, 2-5/8” OD, 1/8” Width.

 

[m.kristoff]

Life Reef is the best skimmer I’ve ever had, and I’ve lost count of the different ones. Set it and forget it Every two weeks I clean the collection cup, and wipe the throat out with a damp paper towel. I’ve gone over a month. Will work with any pump, just match the GPM. No Needle wheel. I run a flex brush through the Venture, once in a while, usually when I’m going to be away. Don’t even have to pull the skimmer. I was adjusting it, if I thought I needed more skim. Figured out it was better to add One Gallon of Saltwater, and One Quart of RO/DI to bring the sump level up and not touch the valve. Recently I had to replace the “O” Ring, got a package of Ten and #229Buna-N 50A Durometer. 2-3/8” ID, 2-5/8” OD, 1/8” Width.

I ran a VS24 in the 90's when I first got into the hobby. Ran Jeff's sump also. I had a VS32 in the early 2000's. they are a great skimmer. I moved on to bubble kings. I did consider another lifereef over the octo. The octo gave me a better foot print.

 

[clarimore]

I have 1 internal skimmer bubble Magnus .
curve 5
I hate it !!!
Still in the box and only used for about a month .

I love mine! wanna sell it?