Protein Skimmer for 125 reef tank

Bluecrabber · 02/16/2019, 04:06 PM

Hey guys,

I'm on the fence between a Reef Octopus 150INT and an SCA-302 skimmer. I was leaning towards the Reef Octo because I'm familiar with the brand name and have heard lots of good things with them. Heard decent reviews for the 302 as well recently and I wouldn'd mind going with that since it's a tad cheaper.

Other thing is the 302 is rated for a 180 gallon and i keep reading to go with a skimmer rated for a bigger tank than yours especially if your bioload will be high (and I know mine well). I've heard the 150INT is suitable for up to 120 gallons. I think I did read where a reefer had one on his 150 gallon with decent results but I don't want to short myself.

Any thoughts?

moondoggy4 · 02/16/2019, 08:38 PM

I would go on BRS and read the reviews for the Reef Octopus skimmer.

Bluecrabber · 02/16/2019, 08:43 PM

I did and they are all great for the Reef Octo. 5 stars and everyone says it does a great job of skimming right off the bat just takes a little finesse to get it going.

Salty Waffles · 02/17/2019, 10:51 AM

I'll throw out the Simplicity skimmers for consideration. I run their 240DC on my system and I'm very happy with it. It's very quiet and does a nice job. I've been running mine about a year now. No issues.

Bluecrabber · 02/17/2019, 01:41 PM

Bugger. Now the choice is even harder lol! That simplicity one does look nice. Thanks for the suggestion!

Reefer Tom · 02/18/2019, 01:44 PM

I run the Reef Octopus 150 and love it. Would definitely recommend it.

tc2007 · 02/18/2019, 07:10 PM

I would stick with Reef Octopus. Currently have Simplicity DC-120 but the bubbling process makes it a bit louder even with the DC pump. Reef Octopus is a workhorse skimmer that will last years. Other newer brands are a bit of a risk in my opinion.

Formulator · 02/18/2019, 08:13 PM

From my own experience as a fairly new reefer (my tank is about 4 years old), I would highly recommend the octopus. The only downfall is that its a bit short in height, so if your sump has high walls, its hard to plumb into a drain. You have to remember to dump it every few days. If you like to automate things, get the external model so that isnt an issue.

Bluecrabber · 02/18/2019, 08:41 PM

Do you guys think the 150 INT would still be sufficient running on a 125 g with heavy bio load?

billwill · 02/19/2019, 12:11 AM

That is what their website says it can handle with heavy load. The pump on their classic series is kind of middle of the road if you’re looking at the 150SSS, but it’s a solid value and cheap enough to keep a spare pump on hand.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mounts327 · 02/19/2019, 12:58 PM

I’m in the middle of building a 120 and just purchased a Skimz Leopard SL203 DC. It’s rated up to 190 gallons at a heavy bio load . BRS has them 50% off right now. I haven’t used it yet and there’s not a ton of info out there on Skimz but what I could find about them was positive. I have a hard time passing up a good deal

02/16/2019, 04:06 PM	#1
Bluecrabber Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 25	Protein Skimmer for 125 reef tank Hey guys, I'm on the fence between a Reef Octopus 150INT and an SCA-302 skimmer. I was leaning towards the Reef Octo because I'm familiar with the brand name and have heard lots of good things with them. Heard decent reviews for the 302 as well recently and I wouldn'd mind going with that since it's a tad cheaper. Other thing is the 302 is rated for a 180 gallon and i keep reading to go with a skimmer rated for a bigger tank than yours especially if your bioload will be high (and I know mine well). I've heard the 150INT is suitable for up to 120 gallons. I think I did read where a reefer had one on his 150 gallon with decent results but I don't want to short myself. Any thoughts?

02/17/2019, 10:51 AM	#4
Salty Waffles Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 92	I'll throw out the Simplicity skimmers for consideration. I run their 240DC on my system and I'm very happy with it. It's very quiet and does a nice job. I've been running mine about a year now. No issues. __________________ 125g SPS, LPS, a few Softies and a few Nems. Current Tank Info: 125g LPS, SPS, and a few softies

02/18/2019, 07:10 PM	#7
tc2007 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 867	I would stick with Reef Octopus. Currently have Simplicity DC-120 but the bubbling process makes it a bit louder even with the DC pump. Reef Octopus is a workhorse skimmer that will last years. Other newer brands are a bit of a risk in my opinion. __________________ 80G Rimless + 2X AI Prime 26 HD + MP40QD + MP10QD

02/16/2019, 08:38 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I would go on BRS and read the reviews for the Reef Octopus skimmer.

02/16/2019, 08:43 PM	#3
Bluecrabber Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 25	I did and they are all great for the Reef Octo. 5 stars and everyone says it does a great job of skimming right off the bat just takes a little finesse to get it going.

02/17/2019, 01:41 PM	#5
Bluecrabber Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 25	Bugger. Now the choice is even harder lol! That simplicity one does look nice. Thanks for the suggestion!

02/18/2019, 01:44 PM	#6
Reefer Tom Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 11	I run the Reef Octopus 150 and love it. Would definitely recommend it.

02/18/2019, 08:13 PM	#8
Formulator Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 72	From my own experience as a fairly new reefer (my tank is about 4 years old), I would highly recommend the octopus. The only downfall is that its a bit short in height, so if your sump has high walls, its hard to plumb into a drain. You have to remember to dump it every few days. If you like to automate things, get the external model so that isnt an issue.

02/18/2019, 08:41 PM	#9
Bluecrabber Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 25	Do you guys think the 150 INT would still be sufficient running on a 125 g with heavy bio load?

02/19/2019, 12:11 AM	#10
billwill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 244	That is what their website says it can handle with heavy load. The pump on their classic series is kind of middle of the road if you’re looking at the 150SSS, but it’s a solid value and cheap enough to keep a spare pump on hand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/19/2019, 12:58 PM	#11
mounts327 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 85	I’m in the middle of building a 120 and just purchased a Skimz Leopard SL203 DC. It’s rated up to 190 gallons at a heavy bio load . BRS has them 50% off right now. I haven’t used it yet and there’s not a ton of info out there on Skimz but what I could find about them was positive. I have a hard time passing up a good deal