I am currently upgrading to a 56g and have been looking at hob skimmers. Going to be awhile before I can even consider adding a small sump, so has to be hob. After an absolute ton of research this seems to be my 1st choice. Like the external pump, clean look, and cone design. The only problem I see is that even over a year since release, there still aren't many reviews. I'm hoping this is because everyone is loving them and has nothing to complain about. People are much more inclined to post negative reviews than positive and I can't even find any complaints. Any comments, thoughts, or complaints would be much appreciated. Any issues with overflows or anything else someone like me buying their first skimmer should be concerned about? Initially, I was planning on a remora for their tried and tested performance, but hate the idea of another ugly pump in the display. This got me looking around, which made me start looking for new designs since hob skimmers are supposed to be so much less effective than in sump models. The bh90 seems to have been designed to be more like an in sump and seems to be the only affordable hob skimmer that was recently designed to work better than the older models. 7.5 inches behind the tank is rough, but if it works as good as I hope I'll get over it. Just hoping to get some input from people with more experience than me, and specially some of the people who bought this skimmer a year ago and haven't said much about them since. Thanks and happy reefing!
looking for reef octopus bh90 skimmer owners!
- Thread starter dthorn
- Start date
Because reviews on the bh90 were/are so hard to find, I read a ton of reviews on other reef octopus models. Like yourself everyone is really happy with most of the ones they sell. I can deal with the extra space required for the bh90, it was designed to work much better than older models and should be worth the extra space it takes up for the better job it should do. My biggest reason for looking for owners is because the few reviews out there are from people who just got them. Hoping some of them see this now and let us know how they are working out now that some time has passed. Guessing if they had many complaints/issues, they would be posted all over the internet. Still worth asking though, might be able to get some helpful info from people with more experience. Thanks for the reply and happy reefing!
Plainswalker
New member
Same with Portsie, I went with the BH1000, and it has been working wonders in my 35g nano. I have had it for over 8 months now and I can definitely recommend it. I would say that it generates quite a bit of microbubbles for the first few weeks or so, but that`s the same as any other skimmer.
So many happy reef octopus owners but all the people that bought the new bh90s are like ghosts. Pretty sure I've already decided this is the one I'll buy. I was just hoping to get any thoughts people that own them have now that they've had them for a while. Thanks for the post though and happy reefing!
I had one years ago and it worked fine for me on a 29 gallon system and I ran it for 3 or 4 years. Regular cleaning of the pump and venturi opening is required as it does clog frequently. I cleaned mine monthly and every so often, since I had to pull the whole unit anyway, I ran it in a bucket of vinegar for a day. The pump does need to be taken apart and cleaned monthly or there is a radical difference in output. What I remember is that unit itself was was very difficult to clean without long and large bottle brushes. Just spraying it out doesn't quite do it. Removing it from the tank for cleaning is a bit of a pain because you have water pouring out of difference places with a long rectangular heavy cube of water.
While it did work fine, I would not buy it again because of the difficulty in cleaning and all the maintenance involved. At the time, it was what I could afford. Since I have now moved to injection skimmers, if I were to buy an HOB, I would get one of the AQUAC units. In fact, the primary reason I ended up looking for the type of system I currently run which is the AQUAC EV 400, was because of my experience with this particular skimmer which again worked fine, but was a real PITA from a maintenance point of view.
Also, be careful with cleaning the pump where the venturi connects into pump, in the end this broke and gave me a reason to get a different unit.
While it did work fine, I would not buy it again because of the difficulty in cleaning and all the maintenance involved. At the time, it was what I could afford. Since I have now moved to injection skimmers, if I were to buy an HOB, I would get one of the AQUAC units. In fact, the primary reason I ended up looking for the type of system I currently run which is the AQUAC EV 400, was because of my experience with this particular skimmer which again worked fine, but was a real PITA from a maintenance point of view.
Also, be careful with cleaning the pump where the venturi connects into pump, in the end this broke and gave me a reason to get a different unit.
Thanks for the reply. There was no such thing as a bh90 a few years ago, so I'm guessing you had a different model reef octopus. They have also made a few upgrades over the years where remoras have pretty much stayed the same.
The bh90 is a cone style hob not a box like the older models. This model was designed to perform much better than other hob skimmers because of the design being much more like an in sump one. Siphon fed to improve pump efficiency and cone design to improve waste removal as well as pump being external to make cleaning easier and eliminate heat transfer.
I know there are people here running them, just haven't heard any updates from any of them now that they've had them for a bit. I am confident enough just from the lack of bad reviews to take a chance. Really just wondering if all the people who loved them when they got them still feel the same or if they've found any concerns that I should know about. I like new technology, and the bh90 is the only affordable hob skimmer I've found that has had any major design improvements over older models. Not just improvements on this model, a brand new design all together. Just trying to find out if there have been any issues since they are a brand new product released a little over a year ago.
Found it very reassuring when a guy named futuredoc on another site who constantly preaches about hob skimmers being junk, sad he was really impressed with the design of this skimmer. That's all I got though, since I just browse other forums and am only a member of this one. Seen a lot of his posts when people ask about hobs he pushes hard to get them to set up a sump. With this skimmer he didn't have anything negative to say.
If I don't find anyone that owns one I'll be sure to leave a thorough review a few months after I get one. Thanks again for the replies so far and happy reefing!
The bh90 is a cone style hob not a box like the older models. This model was designed to perform much better than other hob skimmers because of the design being much more like an in sump one. Siphon fed to improve pump efficiency and cone design to improve waste removal as well as pump being external to make cleaning easier and eliminate heat transfer.
I know there are people here running them, just haven't heard any updates from any of them now that they've had them for a bit. I am confident enough just from the lack of bad reviews to take a chance. Really just wondering if all the people who loved them when they got them still feel the same or if they've found any concerns that I should know about. I like new technology, and the bh90 is the only affordable hob skimmer I've found that has had any major design improvements over older models. Not just improvements on this model, a brand new design all together. Just trying to find out if there have been any issues since they are a brand new product released a little over a year ago.
Found it very reassuring when a guy named futuredoc on another site who constantly preaches about hob skimmers being junk, sad he was really impressed with the design of this skimmer. That's all I got though, since I just browse other forums and am only a member of this one. Seen a lot of his posts when people ask about hobs he pushes hard to get them to set up a sump. With this skimmer he didn't have anything negative to say.
If I don't find anyone that owns one I'll be sure to leave a thorough review a few months after I get one. Thanks again for the replies so far and happy reefing!
geaux xman
New member
I'm looking at HOB skimmers as well for my 33g.
I'd like to know how the bh-90 performs verses other hob skimmers in the 150-200$ range.
I'd like to know how the bh-90 performs verses other hob skimmers in the 150-200$ range.
You are exactly right, I would have sworn that was the model, but when I went to go look for it the one I had, it apparently is no longer made. It looks like the closest one to what I had was the BS 100 that in design fixed alot of the issues. I don't think I have come anyone using the bh-90 then. Sorry about that, senility must be setting in early. Once I did get a look at it, its does seem a strange looking little skimmer. If I come across anyone, I will post back.
HOB's are limited, but they fill a particular need which in most cases is the budget or space. I wouldn't say they are junk, but if you have the option and a sump, I would go with a full size model.
I have found one review from someone who's owned it over a year and he loves it. Not many reviews to look at, but all of the reviews from new owners were great. Think I'm just going to quit worrying about it since I am already sold enough to try for myself.
Honestly, was hoping to get a few tips from more experienced people who own this skimmer. It will be my first skimmer and I've read enough to know skimmers can be finnicky. Thought someone might be able to give me tips specific to this skimmer to help me get it dialed in better and easier.
No worries though, I know there's plenty of people here that can talk me through it if/when I have questions. More often though, a google search brings me to 6 different threads on rc all asking the same or a similar question. Get a much greater quantity and variety of aswers faster this way without having to ask a question that's been answered 3000 times in the last couple years.
Thanks for the replies and happy reefing!
Honestly, was hoping to get a few tips from more experienced people who own this skimmer. It will be my first skimmer and I've read enough to know skimmers can be finnicky. Thought someone might be able to give me tips specific to this skimmer to help me get it dialed in better and easier.
No worries though, I know there's plenty of people here that can talk me through it if/when I have questions. More often though, a google search brings me to 6 different threads on rc all asking the same or a similar question. Get a much greater quantity and variety of aswers faster this way without having to ask a question that's been answered 3000 times in the last couple years.
Thanks for the replies and happy reefing!
I was one of the first people to receive the BH90. I have had the skimmer now for 2 years. My water parameters are all great. I don't know if it is not producing a lot of skimmate because I dont have a lot of nutrients or what. That being said I was looking to be able to control the color of the skimmate and the consistency (thick-watery) and I have yet been able to do that. I want to believe that I dont have a lot of waste and that is why it is not producing a lot of foam. However, i also have my doubts. I do like the slim profile in the tank and also the pump being external. This keeps it from adding heat to the tank. If you have any questions pm me and I can fill you in on anything else.
djannel
New member
Old post but wanted to share mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbBnfvedJpM
It pulls out nasty gunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbBnfvedJpM
It pulls out nasty gunk.
Nice to read this. I'm waiting for my BH100 to arrive. :thumbsup:
Been running the bh90 about 5 days now in brand new fresh cycled 56g. Just over an inch of dark smelly liquid already. Can only imagine what it would be pulling if it was a mature stocked tank. Also a ton of nasty grime in the tube. Very happy with my decision so far but no basis for comparison since this is my 1st skimmer.
bdsage
New member
iv had t bh90 bout 5 mons. now on my 40b its 5.5in from wall i keep bubble head 1.5in from top of skimmer neck a lil on t wet side but i run ulns sps...iv had a few hob's n its by far t best fully ajustable intake n exaust plus surface skim is awsome when i clean i use vinager rinse in tank water cup gets emptied once weekly very well built skimmer...btw im also sumpless
Any updates on this? I know it's been a while...
I'm running a Tunze 9004 in my All-In-One, but don't think it's doing a good job and am thinking of going Hang on back.
angieg1123
Premium Member
I had 2 of the bh-90 skimmers. I have multiple posts about them. I love them. I had one a fully stocked 46g bowfront reef tank and it worked great. The only reason I got rid of it was because I tore down the tank. Never an issue, easy to clean, and always pulled out the nastiest gunk. This tank was in my bedroom and I had 0 issues with noise.
Fast forward a year later and I made a post about this fitting on a 29g biocube. YES IT DOES fit in the back of the biocubes. 1000x better then the nano skimmers! No adjustments needed. After I took down the nano, I put it on a Seahorse tank.
Seahorses are some of the messiest fish. Because they do not have a digestive tract, more waste then any other fish. The Bh-90 skimmer worked like a charm. Again, never an issue and I have recommended them to many seahorse owners who for whatever reason did not have a sump. Once again I sold all of my tanks 2 years ago due to a long distance move.
I am now setting up another seahorse tank..you guessed it. I am looking to purchase another BH-90. There are many other HOB skimmers, but I will not settle for anything but my BH-90. If I can't find a used one in the next few weeks I will gladly spend the $189.99 again and not be a bit sorry!!
Fast forward a year later and I made a post about this fitting on a 29g biocube. YES IT DOES fit in the back of the biocubes. 1000x better then the nano skimmers! No adjustments needed. After I took down the nano, I put it on a Seahorse tank.
Seahorses are some of the messiest fish. Because they do not have a digestive tract, more waste then any other fish. The Bh-90 skimmer worked like a charm. Again, never an issue and I have recommended them to many seahorse owners who for whatever reason did not have a sump. Once again I sold all of my tanks 2 years ago due to a long distance move.
I am now setting up another seahorse tank..you guessed it. I am looking to purchase another BH-90. There are many other HOB skimmers, but I will not settle for anything but my BH-90. If I can't find a used one in the next few weeks I will gladly spend the $189.99 again and not be a bit sorry!!
angieg1123
Premium Member
here is the link to the post about the bh-90 on a 29g biocube.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2490195
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2490195
angieg1123
Premium Member
Another post and pics of the bh-90 on my 46g reef tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2184941
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2184941
Similar threads
