Bubble Magus Curve 5 or 7

KJ · May 20, 2017

I have a question for you guys about a protein skimmer , I am trying to get some new equipment for my tank a few months from now. My new tank will be an 80 gal Deep Blue with a 40 gal sump.It will not be to heavily stocked , the largest fish will be CBB and few smaller wrasses. My price range will be for 2 or 3 hundred bucks for a good protein skimmer. I would appreciate any input you have, thank you,
KJ

ndrwater · May 20, 2017

I may get slammed for this, but I would consider other options than the Bubble Maggus. I have a Curve 7, and to be honest, I hate it. I feel as though it is too difficult to tune properly at this price point. I am/will be replacing it sooner than later. I would look at Reef Octopus classic line sized approiately for your system. Similar price point and IMO a better skimmer over all. I run a SRO5000 on my big tank and love it. Easy to dial in, lots of gunk skimmed, and reasonable as far as power draw.

Scurvy · May 20, 2017

Agree with Bubble Mags being ridiculously fussy. I fought with a D8 for like 6 months before ditching it for a Nyos and it was the best move I've made.

USMC 4 LIFE · May 20, 2017

I have a curve 7 on a 90 DT 30 sump.
Easy to clean and easy to tune. Never had an issue with it.

Intricateart · May 20, 2017

I love our curve 7!

lion king · May 21, 2017

I have a curve 5 on my 90, not that thrilled. I have 3 eshopps skimmers and they all outperform the curve.

skim · May 21, 2017

lion king said:
I have a curve 5 on my 90, not that thrilled. I have 3 eshopps skimmers and they all outperform the curve.

I am curious, what have you based this on?

ndrwater said:
I have a Curve 7, and to be honest, I hate it. I feel as though it is too difficult to tune properly at this price point.

Just wondering what you you mean by difficult to tune.

ndrwater · May 21, 2017

Just super finicky. Water level in my sump doesn't budge in the skimmer chamber and yet to get ANY skimming done requires a micro-fine adjustment of the water level knob almost daily. Once it DOES actually get dialed in, a day later requires another adjustment. Just super touchy.
There are times when the internal water level needs to be full open to work at all, then an hour later, it overflows.
Like I said above, at this price point, there are better, more reliable options.

I also know there is a Sicce pump upgrade which is supposed to solve many if the problems, but adding another $150 on top of the original price of the skimmer DEFINITELY changes the price point further. Negatively...

lion king · May 21, 2017

My conclusions are based on 1st I replaced a converted eshopps hob skimmer with the curve 5, the converted skimmer performed better and has since went to back to it's hang on duty on a different tank, more consistent skimmate and lower levels of nitrate at water change. The curve 5 needs very regular monitoring, skimming perfectly one day the way I like it, the next no skimmate at all or overflowing, constantly adjusting. The 3 eshopps I have you set it and forget it, the skimmate always consistent. I'm not a fan of equipment that you always have to diddle with to get it to do what you want.

SashimiTurtle · May 21, 2017

I have a Curve 5 and it is the most finicky thing... It's my first and only skimmer but I hate it. Just the other morning I came home from work and it had overflowed violently the bubbles ran out of my sump, out if the cabinet and on the floor where there was a huge wet spot. I opened the cabinet and the bubbles were under the bottom of the cup like nothing had happened. Once I can afford it, it's getting replaced.

KJ · May 24, 2017

K. Steven · May 24, 2017

I think the BM Curve 5 is mislabeled on its water depth. I was told to run it in about 5 inches of water and it performs really well. It is the easiest skimmer to tune and clean that I've had.

dbl · May 24, 2017

KJ...I was using a 5 on a lightly loaded 120 for a while as a temporary fix. Couldn't believe how well it worked. No issues. Just goes to show you, it varies for everyone!

KJ · May 24, 2017

dbl said:
KJ...I was using a 5 on a lightly loaded 120 for a while as a temporary fix. Couldn't believe how well it worked. No issues. Just goes to show you, it varies for everyone!

TY David