Bubble Magus Curve7 vs Reef Octopus NWB-150-SSS

[mikellini]

Hi there, looking for help choosing a skimmer. Space I have to work with is 8.25x10", these two skimmers seem like the best bang for the buck that will fit in my sump, and are within $5 of each other at around $290. Total water volume will be around 100 gallons, stocking with about 10 fish (heavy bioload) and a mixed reef. Please chime in if you've used one (or both) and can tell me your experiences. Thanks!

[rounder45]

no personal experience ,but, I believe the nwb150 should prove the winner. I like the design better.

[milto29]

I'm very interested in this as we'll. As I'm very limited in space.

[Baiggann]

I have the BM Curve 7 on my 90 mix reef. Tank is on main floor and sump is 1 floor below in the basement. 7 fish. I love the thing. Works great. Pulls a lot of stuff. Easy to clean.

[4Hummer]

I have the BM Curve 7 in my 125 Gallon (6ft Long) with 55 Gallon Long Sump.

WORKS GREAT, plenty of skim mate, extremely quite, has been bullet proof so far.

[swk]

I have the regular nwb 150 and it's a beast. Totally happy with that purchase

[mikellini]

I've heard that the regular nwb150 is good, but heard nothing really about the space saver...

On a side note, I just found the regal 170 space saver, if money way no object it looks like the best possible option for the footprint. Too bad they don't make an elite 170 space saver

[rounder45]

Couple videos on YouTube bout the sss.

[mikellini]

Yeah, look more promotional than anything else from what I've seen. No true independent opinions or reviews

[phillrodrigo]

If you go with the nwb make sure you buy or have a ato. They are almost useless without a ato. I use a 50 ml dosing pump for my ato and I get very little skimmate. I had better luck with my sea clone. I'm gonna add a jbj to the dosing pump soon

[mikellini]

Water level in my sump is constant. A good idea for any skimmer, but some are more sensitive than others. I've also heard that the curve is sensitive to changes in water level

[tracyclifton]

I've had the Curve 7 on my 180 for over a year. It works great, needs adjusting almost every time you turn it off for a water change, but other than that its great. Its easy to break down and clean and is quiet. I would think it would be more than adequate on 100 gallons.

[Sammykonga]

I think they are both pretty close in effectiveness. Now the Octopus is going to be the more popular. However, I will say that I've had a Curve 5 on my 125 and love it, had it over 1 year at this point. My brother just ditched his Aquamaxx and got a Curve 7 on his 180 and so far has been really happy. I agree with others that mention how quiet the Curve line is from Bubble Magnus. Can't go wrong in my opinion with either purchase.

[mikellini]

Originally Posted by tracyclifton

I've had the Curve 7 on my 180 for over a year. It works great, needs adjusting almost every time you turn it off for a water change, but other than that its great. Its easy to break down and clean and is quiet. I would think it would be more than adequate on 100 gallons.

Does it only need adjustment after a water change, or every time you turn it off? Typically skimmers don't run well for a while after a water change, depending on how large of a change it is. However it shouldn't be affected too much by turning it off and on. That might be a deal breaker for those of us who turn the skimmer off regularly to broadcast feed

[Baiggann]

I never adjust mine. Yes it sputters for an hour or 2 after a water change but then it's back to normal. Mine is set on 2 and it's pulling a lot of stuff out.

[Bpb]

I think you'll have comparable results with either. Most people will hail the reef octo as better because it's more popular, as it's a Coralvue product, and bubble magus is a Chinese Import, but my curve 5 is fantastic, skims very well, and is dead silent. If I had the space in my sump I'd definitely get the curve 7 over the nwb were I in the market for an upgrade

[rounder45]

Originally Posted by Bpb

I think you'll have comparable results with either. Most people will hail the reef octo as better because it's more popular, as it's a Coralvue product, and bubble magus is a Chinese Import, but my curve 5 is fantastic, skims very well, and is dead silent. If I had the space in my sump I'd definitely get the curve 7 over the nwb were I in the market for an upgrade

you are right... heck depending on model chosen, one may find superior results with a bubble magus... the difference is in the pumps and warranty. Longevity and possibly customer support. ease of replacement parts.

[Bpb]

I'll agree with the above statement as well. While some replacement bubble magus parts can be purchased, might not be easy as they'll come from over seas and ship time might be inconsistent. One thing coralvue does particularly well is over a large array of replacement parts.

[CDTReefer]

I have the nwb 150sss. Put it in a 125 I just setup in May. Turned it on about the end of June, took about a week and a half to break in. Pullin some nice gunk out of the water. I have a HOB Reef Octopuss on a 40 breeder also had it about 4 years. Will buy nothing but Reef Octopuss.

[CDTReefer]

Yeah! Octopus has 1 s not 2 my bad.

[mikellini]

The support/parts/warranty issue is good, hadn't thought of that. I do like some of the larger Octopus skimmers, but wasn't sure if they might have made too many compromises with the sss. Plus there are so many positive reviews of the curve skimmers and not really any of the nwb150sss

[rounder45]

the sss model is designed after the bubble king mini.

[mikellini]

I hadn't heard that before... Makes sense, looks similar