Ultra Reef Akula Skimmer Review

[spsick]

Which would you rather have on a 180G heavy stock, given the cost is pretty much identical?

Bubble King Double Cone 200 or Typhoon 200?

If you’re talking the new 2024 BK 200 with the German made pump, I’d lean towards that. If you’re talking the last model with the Chinese made RDX pump I’d lean toward the Typhoon but that’s just my preference. I will say my Ultra Reef seems to be more consistent and require less adjustment than my BK Mini did.

 

[skey44]

This thing is a nutrient transport machine. Rich foam. Easy adjustment. Just works perfectly. Only upgrade I’d want is a slightly quieter pump. I’d never call it loud as far as skimmers go, just the loudest part of my system. Heavy bio load 80 gallon display and it just sucks out whatever it is immediately. Clean algae off the glass… dark green skim production within the hour. Just literally filters the crap out of the water.

 

[125mph]

This thing is a nutrient transport machine. Rich foam. Easy adjustment. Just works perfectly. Only upgrade I’d want is a slightly quieter pump. I’d never call it loud as far as skimmers go, just the loudest part of my system. Heavy bio load 80 gallon display and it just sucks out whatever it is immediately. Clean algae off the glass… dark green skim production within the hour. Just literally filters the crap out of the water.

So you have heavy bio at 80g display and using the Akula 180? Which model UltraReef would you go with on a 180g heavy bio? Let's 2.5x your bio right now. Seems like the akula 200 might be undersized for you right?

BRS has the Akula 200 listed as :

• Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 105 Gallons
• Medium Bioload - 166 Gallons
• Light Bioload - 238 Gallons

That seems to me like its way undersized for the tank. (Yes I know BRS doesnt sell them anymore )

Even the Typhoon 200 is listed at BRS as :

• Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 132 Gallons
• Light Bioload - 396 Gallons

Either they sure like oversized skimmers there or they dont know what they're doing

 

[spsick]

Check with @AquariumSpecialty . I think those BRS ratings seem a little too aggressive. I also have a UKS180 on my 120g medium stock display as sole filtration and still having to supplement nutrients or I’ll bottom out. I can’t imagine having a 200 on my tank.

 

[skey44]

So you have heavy bio at 80g display and using the Akula 180? Which model UltraReef would you go with on a 180g heavy bio? Let's 2.5x your bio right now. Seems like the akula 200 might be undersized for you right?

BRS has the Akula 200 listed as :

• Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 105 Gallons
• Medium Bioload - 166 Gallons
• Light Bioload - 238 Gallons

That seems to me like its way undersized for the tank. (Yes I know BRS doesnt sell them anymore )

Even the Typhoon 200 is listed at BRS as :

• Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 132 Gallons
• Light Bioload - 396 Gallons

Either they sure like oversized skimmers there or they dont know what they're doing

I honestly think the rating on this thing is pretty low. I bet it would keep up with a 150 easy. The 200 will most likely be fine on a 180. I got mine from BRS dirt cheap.
My nutrient transport is very aggressive. Im feeding 2-3x the amount of food I think the fish actually need just to keep the nutrients at an adequate level. I’m burning through frozen and pelleted food, my fish are super fat. Nitrates are from 4-8 right now. Phosphate stays 0.03-0.12.
I could easily get away with a smaller skimmer and feed my fish less.
I love the construction/design on this thing too. Easy to clean, love how you can take the neck out of the cup and get to every nook and cranny when scrubbing.

This thing is dialed in right now though. Gonna have to empty the cup soon!