HOB skimmer assistance

[5ft24]

So for a HOB skimmer for a sumpless 55, I am tired of the coralife super skimmer... Keeps having the venturi plug and just starts pumping water into my drain bucket. My GF caught it this morning and unplugged it with the water about 2" below the top of the 5g drain bucket.
I am looking at the Reef Octopus BH-90 and the Bubble Magus NAC5E.
Leaning towards the reef octo since it will actually surface skim instead of sucking from below the surface... Any experience with either?

 

[1guydude]

It's bad when the gf starts to take notice lol.

When I 1st started 5 yrs ago. I ran HOB cpr skimmer. Still got a dual hob cpr lol.
Reef octopus is really popular and prob the safe choice
Imo I'd go with the BM just because I'm a rebel and like to try things diffrent than the norm or popular.

I will say look at how the pump is mounted. If the pump leaks and the pump is outside the skimmer body...ur gonna get water on the ground. Lol needless to say.
Hths and let us kno wat u decide on.
D

 

[NanaReefer]

Personally I like the Reef Octopus HOB Skimmers. I ran the BH-1000 for 2yrs. Greatest feature was/is the external pump. No excess heat transferred into the tank and no large pump taking up much needed space. They are quiet! It's the only HOB skimmer I ever tried so my knowledge is limited

 

[N1Husker]

I had an AquaMaxx HOB 1 skimmer for 3 years. It did a great job and it is a good looking unit.http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...ein_Skimmers-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSHONW-vi.html

 

[lovefishtank]

I have always ran external skimmers........mainly because I have had big tanks. I like the ease of maintenance too

 

[lovefishtank]

I had an AquaMaxx HOB protein skimmer for 3 years. It did a great job and it is a good looking unit.