New Skimmer Recommendations

Jefdav84 · Apr 10, 2020

Currently have the SCA 50 with the stock SCA 301 skimmer and looking to upgrade. Have had problems with 2 pumps in the last 4 months. Anyone out there with this tank have any recommendations? The width on the skimmer chamber looks to only be about 7 inches.

I have looked into Bubble Magus 5, and the Reef Octo 110 SSS. The one issue i see with the NM5 is it says it needs like 9.5 inches of water, and I keep my water level at 7". The RO is rated for 7-8. I also don't know how close of a fit these would be in this sump either.

Jefdav84 · Apr 10, 2020

Here is a picture of my sump. I will be moving the heater over to the 3rd chamber so that I have maximum space available for a new skimmer.

JMM744 · Apr 10, 2020

Talk to Jeff at lifereef. Great skimmer and it will outlast you. No issue with skimmer motor or becoming outdated, ever!

Gharris527 · Apr 10, 2020

Bubble magnus I have one on my tank no problem and skims really good

Jefdav84 · Apr 10, 2020

Gharris527 said:
Bubble magnus I have one on my tank no problem and skims really good

What is your water level? That is the only thing that concerns me is my sump water level is not in their recommended range.

Mikeltee · Apr 10, 2020

Well you didnt mention your tank size and that is the most important piece of information! Under 130, track down the bible magus 10yr anniversary on ebay for $120. I have it on my 130gal and it's much better than the 11yo reef octopus that it replaced. It's easy to tune and comes with a DC pump that is inside the neck. It's dead quiet! Of you get a curve make sure to get a DC version. You cant beat BM for the price or even 50% more. There are no instructions but it's pretty simple to configure.

Gharris527 · Apr 10, 2020

9 to 11 inches is all u need

Jefdav84 · Apr 10, 2020

Mikeltee said:
Well you didnt mention your tank size and that is the most important piece of information! Under 130, track down the bible magus 10yr anniversary on ebay for $120. I have it on my 130gal and it's much better than the 11yo reef octopus that it replaced. It's easy to tune and comes with a DC pump that is inside the neck. It's dead quiet! Of you get a curve make sure to get a DC version. You cant beat BM for the price or even 50% more. There are no instructions but it's pretty simple to configure.

It's a 50 gallon cube with 14 gallon sump, so about 64 gallons of water volume roughly.

Sdot · Apr 10, 2020

Huge fan of the Nyos line, mine works pretty good in 7in of water..

gotmesalty77 · Apr 11, 2020

So i am team bubble magus all day, ive got a D8 bubble mag dc skimmer on my 80g rimless and its amazing. It is a bit oversized but isnt that part of what makes having a DC skimmer great? I found mine in like new condition for like 100$ local. I thought i liked my old eshopps with a sicce skimmer but this blows it out of this world. Plus it looks pretty cool. Only downside that i run into is that it does have a larger footprint and wont fit great in small sumps.

Plecosam · Apr 11, 2020

How was the break in period with your nyos?

Jefdav84 · Apr 11, 2020

gotmesalty77 said:
So i am team bubble magus all day, ive got a D8 bubble mag dc skimmer on my 80g rimless and its amazing. It is a bit oversized but isnt that part of what makes having a DC skimmer great? I found mine in like new condition for like 100$ local. I thought i liked my old eshopps with a sicce skimmer but this blows it out of this world. Plus it looks pretty cool. Only downside that i run into is that it does have a larger footprint and wont fit great in small sumps.

Yea the only thing holding me back on getting the curve 5 right now is the recommended water height of 9.5 - 11" . The way the baffles in my sump are set up i run my water around 7".

Kfactor · Apr 11, 2020

I just got a used coral box 300 with dc pump I have to say it’s working pretty good and dead silent .

Jefdav84 · Apr 11, 2020

So right now I have it down to 4 skimmers possibly.

Reef Octopus 110 SSS - Stays around $240

Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite - Normally around $250, but have seen them in the $200-$230 range

AquaMaxx FC-80 - On sale at Marine Depot for around $162

Also does anyone know anything about the Skimz brand? Someone locally just posted a gently used Skimz SN123 D-Series for $100 on FB marketplace. I may look into this if there is not a big difference from the other 3 I listed.

Jefdav84 · Apr 13, 2020

Jefdav84 said:
So right now I have it down to 4 skimmers possibly.

Reef Octopus 110 SSS - Stays around $240

Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite - Normally around $250, but have seen them in the $200-$230 range

AquaMaxx FC-80 - On sale at Marine Depot for around $162

Also does anyone know anything about the Skimz brand? Someone locally just posted a gently used Skimz SN123 D-Series for $100 on FB marketplace. I may look into this if there is not a big difference from the other 3 I listed.

Any other suggestions? I think the Marine Depot sale ends today so if like to try and get 10% off.