Reef Octopus XP-1000SSS

[t4zalews]

So I got my new skimmer today to replace my old EuroReef RS80. The RS80 has worked well, but not good enough for me. I also like how this skimmer uses less wattage and has a smaller footprint.

Below are comparison pictures and the dimensions of the HY-1000s pump. I originally was just going to buy the pump and hook it up to the RS80 but got too impatient and just purchased the whole skimmer...Im glad I did.

The skimmer literally took all of 5 min to assemble and was adjusted in about 20 sec. Literally the easiest skimmer to operate. The foam in the chamber is sooo much thicker than my old euroreef, the ER had a translucent bubble action....this is a bubble wall, I can't see through it. Its an inch wider than the ER and the tube going up to the collector is wider as well...I really like that. The bubble plate and silencer are a nice touch. I love the white look of it as well...if it wasnt full of poo I'd make it viewable. This skimmer is dead silent, much more silent than the ER.

The skimmer is still breaking in but so far I'm extremely happy with my purchase. I can already see it pulling stuff from the water after only running for an hour. You may see my ER collector cup and not understand why I dont like the dark skimmate...it took the ER like 2-3 weeks to get to that point. Obviously not pulling out what it should.

 

[moondoggy4]

Very nice, looking forward to see how it does in your system. See if it pulls anymore skimmate than the ER

 

[tygger]

Is it really noticeably more quiet than the ER? I know the Sedra 3500 on the ER makes a loud humming noise. Reading other threads, some made it sound like the bubble blaster pump was just as loud.

 

[gldnegle76]

Good looking skimmer. I'd like to see it go head to head with the SWC 160 Cone.
What's the recommended sump water level? Looks like the gate valve is pretty low.

 

[t4zalews]

Is it really noticeably more quiet than the ER? I know the Sedra 3500 on the ER makes a loud humming noise. Reading other threads, some made it sound like the bubble blaster pump was just as loud.

Considerably lower...the Sedra really hummed and I could hear it vibrating against my sump. When I first plugged in the bubble blaster there was a hum for about 5 seconds then it kicked dead quiet. Ill try and make a video of it so you can hear for yourself. The only thing I hear on my tank besides the external overflow is my vortech.

 

[t4zalews]

Good looking skimmer. I'd like to see it go head to head with the SWC 160 Cone.
What's the recommended sump water level? Looks like the gate valve is pretty low.

In the original photo I had my sump level at around 7.5 inches, I since then lowered it to about 6. The bubbles were pushing too hard at the original height, hopefully now they will be smaller.

 

[EaZy DuZ iT]

Reef octopus skimmers are beastly.

 

[Eel Freak]

I've got mine in 8" on my 125 and it has been phenomenal so far (1 week and the cup is full of black, truly black, skim). Has there been a substantial difference in bubble/skim quality yet since you changed the water depth?

 

[t4zalews]

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This is the skimmer running for 24 hours. Hasn't even broken in yet. What you hear is my external overflow and either the return pump or the maxijet that is just resting on the bottom that feeds the dual reactor. If you place cotton in the silencer it will quiet the air suction even more. I can make another video with everything turned off to compare the difference.

Did I mention that the skimmer pump has like a 12 foot power cord. I couldnt believe it.

 

[fmelindy]

Nice looking tank you got there! Ultra clear water, too, really sparkles. In the video, the skimmer cup cover got so close to the camera I thought you were going to lick it! lol

 

[tygger]

Did you consider any other skimmer? The SWC 160 is pretty close in price. Both have good reviews though...

 

[t4zalews]

Did you consider any other skimmer? The SWC 160 is pretty close in price. Both have good reviews though...

I originally just wanted to get the bubble blaster hy-1000s pump to replace my sedra on my ER. But I got tired of waiting for the backordered pump..so I decided to just spend the extra 130 bucks to get the whole skimmer. Essentially, I really wanted the bubble blaster pump. I'm glad I went with getting the whole skimmer.

 

[stanlalee]

Did you consider any other skimmer? The SWC 160 is pretty close in price. Both have good reviews though...

IF this skimmer was out when I got my SWC 160 cone it would have been a toss up on which one to buy (well then it wouldn't because the SWC was only $250 but now they are within $10 of each other). they size up as perfect rivals. I'd like to see them head to head as well just out of curiousity.

 

[DanMgy]

I was all set to purchase the 160 but now seeing this I am not sure. I hope somebody will do a comparision of the two.

t4zalews - please keep us up to date on how the skimmer is working for you. Will be following along.

 

[Johnny C]

Thanks for the review! I'm a big supporter of Reef Octopus products and this thread proves that a quality skimmer doesn't cost $800.

 

[tygger]

IF this skimmer was out when I got my SWC 160 cone it would have been a toss up on which one to buy (well then it wouldn't because the SWC was only $250 but now they are within $10 of each other). they size up as perfect rivals. I'd like to see them head to head as well just out of curiousity.

Me too. The SWC 160 vs the Octopus 1000sss (looks like the only difference is the pump) and the SWC 180 vs the Octopus 2000sss.

 

[Beaun]

The big difference is the water depth needed for the OSS vs. the SWC.

 

[Paulairduck]

I just set up a 3000 super reef octopus (cone) on my 300, I am very impressed with these skimmers, considering all I have ever used is BK on my tanks

 

[gldnegle76]

I've got mine in 8" on my 125 and it has been phenomenal so far (1 week and the cup is full of black, truly black, skim). Has there been a substantial difference in bubble/skim quality yet since you changed the water depth?

Is your gate valve pretty close to water level?

 

[t4zalews]

^^I would say at 8 inches, the gate valve would be underwater. I just measured from the bottom of my sump to the top of the gate valve and it was 7.5 inches. My skimmer sits directly on the bottom of the sump, no riser. so with my water level at 6 inches my gate valve is about an inch above the water