So I'm looking for a new skimmer. Currently running a coral life 60 gal in my 40 breeder fowlr and don't like it and was looking at the reef octopus 110 and a skims 123. Anyone have either if these or know anything about them? Have heard mixed reviews on the DC pump for the skimz but like the adjustability on it
Skimz vs reef octopus
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Ty Hamatake
Hi, my name is Ty and I'm a Reefer...
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It's not the 123, but I have the Skimz Octa 165i. I used the run a RO 100 Classic HOB and have to say the Skimz was a huge upgrade. Build quality of both are great, but for some reason I just love my Skimz.
Ty Hamatake
Hi, my name is Ty and I'm a Reefer...
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The Skimz is louder than the RO was, but it is also has like four times the capacity. Overall it's a light hum with the cabinet doors closed. Very soothing
@saltwaterpicaso brings up a good point about price though...
saltwaterpicaso
Valuable Member
I shopped for a good solid 6 months to replace my roof octo 5000 it was between the elite and the rlss line and bubble magnus but in the end the elite won dc pump, apex ready and can use ozone was the best bang for the buck
Never owned a skimz.
I've owned a bubble magus, a ASM a aqua c ev 180 which I still have.
I'm currently using a octopus 110 and I must say this little sucker kicks some butt. I have it in a 125 sump about half full and it's connected to a 40 b and a 50 lowboy.
I've owned a bubble magus, a ASM a aqua c ev 180 which I still have.
I'm currently using a octopus 110 and I must say this little sucker kicks some butt. I have it in a 125 sump about half full and it's connected to a 40 b and a 50 lowboy.
Currently have the Skimz Leopard 253. Had the 183 before. Very quiet for their size. Great build quality. Easy to adjust. Very effective at skimming. Haven't had any problems but I've heard/read of pump issues. I've had the 253 running well over a year now.
I have a RO Classic 160INT on my 120g...2 years now...medium stocked tank and the performance is sub-par. I never can get good skimmate but that could be from a multitude of causes like not enough bio-load for the skimmer to pull crap out of the water. RO pros: quiet, easy of operation, ease of cleaning/maintenance, cost, fits in my sump and cabinet; Cons: overkill for my current tank needs? Design flaw of the skimmer? (this is a retired unit so it leads me to believe something might not be right with the design concept/equipment).
I may replace the RO in the next few months and if I do I'll replace it with a Skimz if that says anything. Both have a good reputation but one will win in the end and right now, I'm not sure it to be the RO in my experience.
I may replace the RO in the next few months and if I do I'll replace it with a Skimz if that says anything. Both have a good reputation but one will win in the end and right now, I'm not sure it to be the RO in my experience.
I think any of the well known skimmers are pretty close to each other in performance .
I think maybe some people get it in their heads that their skimmer should be pulling tons of gunk out constantly .
For me that's not the way it works.
Sometimes I don't empty my cup all week and other times like in the picture I posted after cleaning my tank and sump stuff gets stirred up and it kicks in.
I have a aqua c ev 180 that in my experience would outperform my octopus skimmer any day of the week, I just don't use it any more because the pump I have for it is way oversized and is a power hog, nice working skimmer tho.
Any of the known named skimmers work well in my opinion.
seastar
Well-Known Member
If you haven't already ordered.. I have the Skimz 123 and I absolutely LOVE it. They had troubles with the first generation motor which was upgraded and the issue was fixed. I also have a Skimz 163 on a larger tank for what it's worth. Both are very, very quiet, pull great skimmate, are super easy to clean and tune. If the 123 has any knock on it, and it would be very minor it's that the cup is a little tough go get on/off in the beginning as the seal is very tight. I would happily buy it over again and again.
