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Octopus BH-100F Protein Skimmer
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Rated up to 90 gallons. (varies due to bio load of system) Item #: OCT-BH-300 Dimensions:11.5" x 3.75" x 18" Rated up to 135 gallons . (varies due to bio load of system) 2 pumps included. Dual HOB Diagram
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Searched Octopus BH-100F Protein Skimmer in Reviews
Good skimmer, lousy instructions 
| Installation and Operation |
I have the skimmer on my main display tank; I don't have a sump or refugium. Installation of the skimmer took a little longer than I expected for a hang-on-back device, simply because of instructions that seem scant and unclear for a piece of equipment of this cost.
The instructions seem thrown together as an after-thought by someone who's definitely not a professional technical writer. Even my brother-in-law, who has a PhD in Physics, found the instructions challenging to decipher. The parts diagram is small and poorly laid-out, and the assembly instructions are short and insufficiently descriptive. There are no photos or drawings that show what the skimmer should look like when it's hung on the tank correctly. There's no troubleshooting tips, nor info that tells the user what to expect during the break-in period nor after. The text is small and looks like it was printed on an old-school mimeograph by someone who's trying to conserve paper.
Aside from the extremely inadequate instructions, I do recommend this skimmer to folks who need a small, quiet HOB skimmer that (so far) does the job as intended.
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| Performance vs. Expectations |
Once I guessed my way through the installation of the skimmer, it did begin producing foam and was as quiet as advertised.
As I write this review, I'm just past the three week breaking-in period for the skimmer; even so, the skimmer is producing skimmate that's thick and dark greenish-yellow and smelly... which is just what I read elsewhere that I should expect.
The clear acrylic housing is relatively unobtrusive even though part of it sits well above my standard aquarium hood. I chose to wrap a thick rubberband around the skimmer outflow opening to dissuade my small fish from investigating inside of it.
The photo in the product overview is out-of-date; the Reef Octopus folks have replaced the pump that's show in the photo with a larger pump. It still fits within the tank, though it is somewhat noticeable. I've arranged some live rock in front of it to hide it partially from view from the front of the tank.
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| Value for money |
I just set up my first saltwater aquarium, and after researching skimmers, I settled on this one because of the apparent ease-of-use and the value for the cost. For the most part, I'm pleased with my choice.
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| Customer Support |
I ordered the skimmer online through SaltySupply.com and received it within the promised timeframe.
It's worth noting that I bought a liquid test kit in the same order and it arrived separately, without warning, a few days after the skimmer. I suggested to SaltySupply.com that they notify customers when the company plans to deliver an order's items separately.
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| Liked about it |
Ease of Use
Value for Cost
Relatively Low-Profile Design
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| Didn't like |
Inadequate Installation Instructions
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| Overall rating: |
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5.0 |
| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
| Would consider buying it again: |
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5.0 |
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Awesome!
| Installation and Operation |
Not hard to install, not thrilled with the points where it hangs on the back from. The clamp in front seems upside down. It really seems to hang from the plumbing. A bit hard to get the pump primed but other than that it was a snap.
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| Performance vs. Expectations |
Yes, you can run it dry or wet by just sliding the waste chamber up and down. Skimming is awesome. You can easily put your heater in the return chamber as well to get it out of your tank. You can also put other media in there as well for better filtration from time to time when needed.
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| Value for money |
considering materials used, I guess it is a decent price. Its a little high but considering the other pricey alternatives this is a good buy for us who don't have a disposable income.
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| Customer Support |
No. Just had to deal with aqua cave where I bought it and they were awesome. It was missing a small part and they sent it immediately and were very gracious.
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| Liked about it |
Great skimming ability.
Non intrusive build with only two small plumbing fixtures visible in the tank.
Easy to empty and clean.
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| Didn't like |
Hard to prime sometimes.
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| Overall rating: |
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5.0 |
| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
| Would consider buying it again: |
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5.0 |
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Everything you could want in an HOB
| Installation and Operation |
despite the instructions provided, it was pretty simple to set up with a basic knowledge of how the skimmer works. Once set up it is extremely easy to operate. It does require frequent cleaning of the collection cup, but that means it is doing a good job.
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| Performance vs. Expectations |
This skimmer does what it is supposed to and does a great job of it. So far it has lived up to its expectations and I am happy with the performance.
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| Value for money |
I believe this is the best hang on the back skimmer on the market for under $200
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| Liked about it |
-Quite
-Produces a lot of sludge
-Easy to adjust
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| Didn't like |
-Bad setup instructions
-MicroBubbles during the break in period
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| Overall rating: |
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4.8 |
| Overall satisfaction: |
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4.5 |
| Would consider buying it again: |
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5.0 |
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Great Little HOB
| Installation and Operation |
Very easy to install and adjustments are made at the collection cup. You simply move the cup up or down, depending on if you want a dry skimming unit, or a wetter running one. The microbubbles are prevalent until it's fully broken in, but that only takes a day or two. This thing is rated up to 90 gallons but I never pushed that envelope. I'd say that it would do extremely well with anything under 50g.
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| Performance vs. Expectations |
It performed like a champ! I set it up for dryer skimming and it did exactly as advertised.
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| Liked about it |
1) Great skimmate production, 2) Great bubble production, 3) Silent operation with slight modification to the venturi tube
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| Didn't like |
1) Cup can fill up fast, so you have to watch it, 2) Venturi, unmodified, can sound like a jet fighter, 3) Microbubbles can get into the tank, especially during break in
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| Overall rating: |
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4.0 |
| Overall satisfaction: |
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4.0 |
| Would consider buying it again: |
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4.0 |
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Top Notch
| General |
I recently purchased this skimmer and it is still in the "break-in" process, however it is doing an incredible job at skimming already. Great skimmer for HOB model. The additional chamber for chemical filter media is also a very nice feature. |
| Liked about it |
Very efficient skimmer. Good quality skimmate.
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| Didn't like |
Priming valve needs improvement.
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| Overall rating: |
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5.0 |
| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
| Would consider buying it again: |
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5.0 |
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internal use: spec208 spec20 spec25 spec27 spec30 spec35
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