I was hesitant based on all the reviews, but still bought and have no regrets. I have a Reef Octopus skimmer so I was going of the name and reputation of a great product. This unit is probably the same as the AQUATOP MR-20 (not Prime), but like I said, brand name based… **When I bought this was sold by Amazon (was Prime) it out of stock now from them**
I have a phosphate problem in the local water supply (hard Midwest water) it was high (+5ppm) within 1 week of use with phosban media… it is now 0ppm in my 90 gallon and there is a noticeable change in the algae growth in my tank. Its more manageable by my cleaner crabs and snails.
I did some mods to fit my sump setup, but it is used like the factory recommended setup is. I added hose Eheim ½ in (12/16mm) to the output so it empties into my sump return vs right next to the input pump in my skimmer chamber. If you hang on tank, it comes ready to rock as is.
I also changed the stock pump (95GPH at 8watts) to a Cobalt aquatics MJ-900 (230GPH at 8.5 watts). The included pump is weak, but functional I just had a MJ900 laying around and thought why not! In the reaction chamber it looks like it has the same amount of “churn” movement on the media. As I did try the stock pump first. Some reviews said the stock pump broke… I have been using it in my curing bin for live rock for circulation for about a month plus… it’s still working no clicking or failure.
Some Pros and Cons:
Pros:
+ It works (+5 ppm to Zero in < 1 week).
+ Customizable. Pump, hose, foam and media can be changed for your setup if you so desire.
+ Simple. Input, media reactor chamber, output.
Cons:
- Weak (but functional) pump. I just chose to change mine for more GPH benefit. But for a smaller tank it would do fine in it.
- About $20 more than the like version. You are paying for the Reef Octopus printed logo on the reactor and the Reef Octo OTP300 pump.
- Instructions are very vague and have little value, just pictures really. Made me laugh a little… Green hands! But in reality, this thing is simple enough to figure out with pictures if you have been in aquariums for any amount of time. Just be sure to have the foam pads touching the reactor media then the plastic guards so nothing gets through and the hose connections are tight.
Again no regrets, it works and looks good next to my other reef octo skimmer. If you don’t want to pay for the prime benefit get the aquatop version (no easy returns via prime/amazon) so if you do return, it will almost cost the difference to ship to a third party seller.
Hope it helps… any comments add them before you so say unhelpful. I will try to reply
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Customizable and it works for me and my custom sump setup
I was hesitant based on all the reviews, but still bought and have no regrets. I have a Reef Octopus skimmer so I was going of the name and reputation of a great product. This unit is probably the same as the AQUATOP MR-20 (not Prime), but like I said, brand name based… **When I bought this was sold by Amazon (was Prime) it out of stock now from them** I have a phosphate problem in the local water supply (hard Midwest water) it was high (+5ppm) within 1 week of use with phosban media… it is now 0ppm in my 90 gallon and there is a noticeable change in the algae growth in my tank. Its more manageable by my cleaner crabs and snails.I did some mods to fit my sump setup, but it is used like the factory recommended setup is. I added hose Eheim ½ in (12/16mm) to the output so it empties into my sump return vs right next to the input pump in my skimmer chamber. If you hang on tank, it comes ready to rock as is. I also changed the stock pump (95GPH at 8watts) to a Cobalt aquatics MJ-900 (230GPH at 8.5 watts). The included pump is weak, but functional I just had a MJ900 laying around and thought why not! In the reaction chamber it looks like it has the same amount of “churn” movement on the media. As I did try the stock pump first. Some reviews said the stock pump broke… I have been using it in my curing bin for live rock for circulation for about a month plus… it’s still working no clicking or failure.Some Pros and Cons:Pros:+ It works (+5 ppm to Zero in < 1 week).+ Customizable. Pump, hose, foam and media can be changed for your setup if you so desire.+ Simple. Input, media reactor chamber, output. Cons:- Weak (but functional) pump. I just chose to change mine for more GPH benefit. But for a smaller tank it would do fine in it.- About $20 more than the like version. You are paying for the Reef Octopus printed logo on the reactor and the Reef Octo OTP300 pump.- Instructions are very vague and have little value, just pictures really. Made me laugh a little… Green hands! But in reality, this thing is simple enough to figure out with pictures if you have been in aquariums for any amount of time. Just be sure to have the foam pads touching the reactor media then the plastic guards so nothing gets through and the hose connections are tight.Again no regrets, it works and looks good next to my other reef octo skimmer. If you don’t want to pay for the prime benefit get the aquatop version (no easy returns via prime/amazon) so if you do return, it will almost cost the difference to ship to a third party seller. Hope it helps… any comments add them before you so say unhelpful. I will try to reply
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2016
I have a phosphate problem in the local water supply (hard Midwest water) it was high (+5ppm) within 1 week of use with phosban media… it is now 0ppm in my 90 gallon and there is a noticeable change in the algae growth in my tank. Its more manageable by my cleaner crabs and snails.
I did some mods to fit my sump setup, but it is used like the factory recommended setup is. I added hose Eheim ½ in (12/16mm) to the output so it empties into my sump return vs right next to the input pump in my skimmer chamber. If you hang on tank, it comes ready to rock as is.
I also changed the stock pump (95GPH at 8watts) to a Cobalt aquatics MJ-900 (230GPH at 8.5 watts). The included pump is weak, but functional I just had a MJ900 laying around and thought why not! In the reaction chamber it looks like it has the same amount of “churn” movement on the media. As I did try the stock pump first. Some reviews said the stock pump broke… I have been using it in my curing bin for live rock for circulation for about a month plus… it’s still working no clicking or failure.
Some Pros and Cons:
Pros:
+ It works (+5 ppm to Zero in < 1 week).
+ Customizable. Pump, hose, foam and media can be changed for your setup if you so desire.
+ Simple. Input, media reactor chamber, output.
Cons:
- Weak (but functional) pump. I just chose to change mine for more GPH benefit. But for a smaller tank it would do fine in it.
- About $20 more than the like version. You are paying for the Reef Octopus printed logo on the reactor and the Reef Octo OTP300 pump.
- Instructions are very vague and have little value, just pictures really. Made me laugh a little… Green hands! But in reality, this thing is simple enough to figure out with pictures if you have been in aquariums for any amount of time. Just be sure to have the foam pads touching the reactor media then the plastic guards so nothing gets through and the hose connections are tight.
Again no regrets, it works and looks good next to my other reef octo skimmer. If you don’t want to pay for the prime benefit get the aquatop version (no easy returns via prime/amazon) so if you do return, it will almost cost the difference to ship to a third party seller.
Hope it helps… any comments add them before you so say unhelpful. I will try to reply
Customizable and it works for me and my custom sump setup
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2016
I was hesitant based on all the reviews, but still bought and have no regrets. I have a Reef Octopus skimmer so I was going of the name and reputation of a great product. This unit is probably the same as the AQUATOP MR-20 (not Prime), but like I said, brand name based… **When I bought this was sold by Amazon (was Prime) it out of stock now from them**Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2016
I have a phosphate problem in the local water supply (hard Midwest water) it was high (+5ppm) within 1 week of use with phosban media… it is now 0ppm in my 90 gallon and there is a noticeable change in the algae growth in my tank. Its more manageable by my cleaner crabs and snails.
I did some mods to fit my sump setup, but it is used like the factory recommended setup is. I added hose Eheim ½ in (12/16mm) to the output so it empties into my sump return vs right next to the input pump in my skimmer chamber. If you hang on tank, it comes ready to rock as is.
I also changed the stock pump (95GPH at 8watts) to a Cobalt aquatics MJ-900 (230GPH at 8.5 watts). The included pump is weak, but functional I just had a MJ900 laying around and thought why not! In the reaction chamber it looks like it has the same amount of “churn” movement on the media. As I did try the stock pump first. Some reviews said the stock pump broke… I have been using it in my curing bin for live rock for circulation for about a month plus… it’s still working no clicking or failure.
Some Pros and Cons:
Pros:
+ It works (+5 ppm to Zero in < 1 week).
+ Customizable. Pump, hose, foam and media can be changed for your setup if you so desire.
+ Simple. Input, media reactor chamber, output.
Cons:
- Weak (but functional) pump. I just chose to change mine for more GPH benefit. But for a smaller tank it would do fine in it.
- About $20 more than the like version. You are paying for the Reef Octopus printed logo on the reactor and the Reef Octo OTP300 pump.
- Instructions are very vague and have little value, just pictures really. Made me laugh a little… Green hands! But in reality, this thing is simple enough to figure out with pictures if you have been in aquariums for any amount of time. Just be sure to have the foam pads touching the reactor media then the plastic guards so nothing gets through and the hose connections are tight.
Again no regrets, it works and looks good next to my other reef octo skimmer. If you don’t want to pay for the prime benefit get the aquatop version (no easy returns via prime/amazon) so if you do return, it will almost cost the difference to ship to a third party seller.
Hope it helps… any comments add them before you so say unhelpful. I will try to reply
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
I don't understand some of the negative reviews. I suspect people did not read the assembly instructions. You need to use the flexible tubing to make connections to the lid.
Pump is quiet. No leaks. Perfect.
Pump is quiet. No leaks. Perfect.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
