I bought this skimmer to replace a Red Sea Prizm, and to assist the skimmer in the CPR Aquafuge 2. This thing is amazing as far as HOB skimmers go. The skimmer in the Aquafuge isn't even working anymore. If you are limited to HOB style skimmers like me, this is the best you can get for the money IMO. For $150 this skimmer performs like a champ, and you don't have to spend upwards of $600 for something similar with a bigger brand name. Ive had this thing breaking in for about three weeks now and it is pulling out some nasty stuff I never got out with the other skimmers before. The pump is huge and it is outside the water which is nice in a 40 gallon tank to relieve heat. The reaction chamber is amazing with the amount of bubbles in there. You will get some air bubbles out of the return but they are not really micro bubbles, they are big and seem to dissipate quickly and not blow around the tank. They are actually from the water draining into the return pipe and pulling air in with the water. Also the included surface skimming attachment keeps the surface crystal clear, I used the surface skimming attachment on the CPR and always had gross stuff floating around the surface. I would recommend this to anyone with a tank 50 gallons or less in total volume, which is about what I am running. Amazing product.

This skimmer was purchased to replace a BakPak skimmer. Three reasons for the replacement were micro-bubbles, surface skimming and the fact that the Octopus did not introduce yet another power head into a sump-less system. While the bubbles were not completely eliminated I have been pleased with the performance. The ability to keep the surface of the tank clean more than warrants this product. The only criticism I would have is the fit of the collection cup. While extremely tight there is still some "waste" that finds its way up the sides.