Bubble Magus Curve 5 OR Reef Octopus NWB 150SSS

Spork3245 · 02/21/2014, 05:34 PM

Both are internal pump models and "space savers" which is what I'd ideally like. The price for the Bubble Magus is ~$200 and the NWB 150SSS is ~$260.

I have a 90 gallon DT with a 30 gallon Sump/Fuge, I'd estimate my total water volume, discounting LR, sand, equipment, etc, to be 105-110-ish gallons.
The Bubble Magus is rated for 140 gallon aquariums... However, Reef Octopus has a list for "filtration demands" on their website and lists the NWB 150SSS for "210 Gallon – Light Filtration Demand, 180 Gallon – Medium Filtration Demand and 120 Gallon – Heavy Filtration Demand", the latter being the most important for me.

So, basically, as nice as saving $70-ish would be, I'm honestly not sure if the bubble magus is good for my tank size/total water volume?

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!!!

Every1jockzjay · 02/22/2014, 05:26 AM

Sc 302 or 303! Check it out....awesome skimmer better price 140$ uses same pump as Bm

dkeller_nc · 02/22/2014, 08:07 AM

If you're going to consider a skimmer in the $250 range, I'd highly suggest that you consider one that uses a Sicce skimmer pump. The skimmers with chinese-made pumps are OK, but the pumps themselves are problematic. They tend to get considerably noisier over time, and are prone to failure.

One compromise that stays within your price range is the Seaside Aquatics line. They take Bubble Magus skimmer bodies and mount Sicce pumps in them for quiet operation and reliability. The Seaside Aquatics ES5, for example, would be a decent option for your tank. Another one to consider would be the AquaMaxx ConeS skimmers. Like the Seaside Aquatics, they mount a Sicce skimmer pump into an Asian-made body.

Spork3245 · 02/22/2014, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkeller_nc

If you're going to consider a skimmer in the $250 range, I'd highly suggest that you consider one that uses a Sicce skimmer pump. The skimmers with chinese-made pumps are OK, but the pumps themselves are problematic. They tend to get considerably noisier over time, and are prone to failure.

One compromise that stays within your price range is the Seaside Aquatics line. They take Bubble Magus skimmer bodies and mount Sicce pumps in them for quiet operation and reliability. The Seaside Aquatics ES5, for example, would be a decent option for your tank. Another one to consider would be the AquaMaxx ConeS skimmers. Like the Seaside Aquatics, they mount a Sicce skimmer pump into an Asian-made body.

Thanks! Would the ones you mentioned be okay for a 90 gallon with (eventually) "heavy load" though?

dkeller_nc · 02/23/2014, 08:00 AM

Honestly, that's a matter of opinion with no "bright line" answer. Yeah, a hydor slim-skim nano is way too small, and an 8" diameter Reef Octopus is a waste of power and initial purchase price. But those are the extremes - the two skimmers I mentioned would be on the smaller size for a 90 gallon, but still suitable depending on your husbandry practices and what sort of "heavy bioload" you have. A tank with a triggers, tangs, and large angelfish isn't the same as a reef tank packed with live rock (real live rock, not man-made stuff and not dry rock) and corals.

But both skimmers I mentioned are in the $250 range. To get a larger, more powerful, and high-quality skimmer, your next price range is going to be about $350. There are a ton of good options in this higher price range, among them the Vertex 150, the Aquamaxx ConeS 2, the Skimz Monzter series, and the Reef Octopus SS series.

Spork3245 · 02/23/2014, 08:22 AM

I have a One Spot Foxface and a Flame Angel which are *always* pooping

I also have a fairy wrasse, a diamond goby, two ocellaris clowns, a neon goby, a royal gramma, two cleaner shrimps and 3 peppermint shrimps. I plan on adding about 6-8 corals total.

02/21/2014, 05:34 PM	#1
Spork3245 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Central New Jersey Posts: 1,088	Bubble Magus Curve 5 OR Reef Octopus NWB 150SSS Both are internal pump models and "space savers" which is what I'd ideally like. The price for the Bubble Magus is ~$200 and the NWB 150SSS is ~$260. I have a 90 gallon DT with a 30 gallon Sump/Fuge, I'd estimate my total water volume, discounting LR, sand, equipment, etc, to be 105-110-ish gallons. The Bubble Magus is rated for 140 gallon aquariums... However, Reef Octopus has a list for "filtration demands" on their website and lists the NWB 150SSS for "210 Gallon – Light Filtration Demand, 180 Gallon – Medium Filtration Demand and 120 Gallon – Heavy Filtration Demand", the latter being the most important for me. So, basically, as nice as saving $70-ish would be, I'm honestly not sure if the bubble magus is good for my tank size/total water volume? Thoughts? Thanks in advance!!!

02/22/2014, 05:26 AM	#2
Every1jockzjay Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 515	Sc 302 or 303! Check it out....awesome skimmer better price 140$ uses same pump as Bm

02/22/2014, 08:07 AM	#3
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	If you're going to consider a skimmer in the $250 range, I'd highly suggest that you consider one that uses a Sicce skimmer pump. The skimmers with chinese-made pumps are OK, but the pumps themselves are problematic. They tend to get considerably noisier over time, and are prone to failure. One compromise that stays within your price range is the Seaside Aquatics line. They take Bubble Magus skimmer bodies and mount Sicce pumps in them for quiet operation and reliability. The Seaside Aquatics ES5, for example, would be a decent option for your tank. Another one to consider would be the AquaMaxx ConeS skimmers. Like the Seaside Aquatics, they mount a Sicce skimmer pump into an Asian-made body.

02/23/2014, 08:00 AM	#5
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	Honestly, that's a matter of opinion with no "bright line" answer. Yeah, a hydor slim-skim nano is way too small, and an 8" diameter Reef Octopus is a waste of power and initial purchase price. But those are the extremes - the two skimmers I mentioned would be on the smaller size for a 90 gallon, but still suitable depending on your husbandry practices and what sort of "heavy bioload" you have. A tank with a triggers, tangs, and large angelfish isn't the same as a reef tank packed with live rock (real live rock, not man-made stuff and not dry rock) and corals. But both skimmers I mentioned are in the $250 range. To get a larger, more powerful, and high-quality skimmer, your next price range is going to be about $350. There are a ton of good options in this higher price range, among them the Vertex 150, the Aquamaxx ConeS 2, the Skimz Monzter series, and the Reef Octopus SS series.

02/23/2014, 08:22 AM	#6
Spork3245 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Central New Jersey Posts: 1,088	I have a One Spot Foxface and a Flame Angel which are always pooping I also have a fairy wrasse, a diamond goby, two ocellaris clowns, a neon goby, a royal gramma, two cleaner shrimps and 3 peppermint shrimps. I plan on adding about 6-8 corals total.