Review

---Ease of Use---
4 out of 5 Stars

The skimmer is very easy to setup. However, the directions do not do much more than demonstrate who to put it together. Thankfully, dialing it in doesn't really need instructions, because it's a simple as turning the pipe labeled "open" on one side and "closed" on the other. Using this, you can adjust the level of the skimmate, allowing you to choose between a wet and a dry skim. This category gets 4 of 5 stars because, in addition to the lack of operating instructions, the flexible airtube tends to kink a bit, and you need to find a way to prevent it from doing so.

---Functionality---
5 out of 5 Stars

Skimmer works great with very little break in. After you dial in the skimmer to the type of skim you want, the skimmer stays rather consistent. It also has a good size skimmate cup, so it can run for quite a while on a dry skim. The only concern is keeping a steady water level in the sump, which can affect the skimming; however, this is a concern with every in-sump skimmer.

---Other Effects---
5 out of 5 Stars

This category is for the skimmer concerns such as noise and micro-bubbles. With this skimmer, I have detected no micro-bubbles exiting the skimmer since it was broken in. The volume of the skimmer is negligible: in my system, it can't be heard above the return pump or drain lines.


Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
If you are looking for a skimmer, this is one you should consider!

I used this skimmer on my 50 breeder set-up. I used the gate valve mod which really helped dial it in. The pump is not the best, but I too would give it 4 out of 5 because of the great value and how easily it can be modded.

I use one on my system too and will give it a 4 of 5, just because there are better skimmers out there, though it cannot be touched for the money (and I got mine used for $75 complete)

MJ, which version did you get? Is it the newest one with the bubble plate? I got the last gen version and I really like it. Definitely a 4/5 stars.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure mine has the bubble plate. I don't recall it saying one way or the other when I bought it, but about 1" from the bottom of the skimmer, there is a thin plate where I can see bubbles passing through. So I'm pretty sure it has one.

I finally have it dialed in exactly where I want it, although I don't have much of a bioload yet. It's still working like a dream!

Cool. I got one of the last gen Aqua Euros (same as the last gen Octopus), and that has the bubble plate, and I like that a lot. Missed the new Octopus skimmers by a month

Hey evil, what size tank do you run yours on? Someone else told me today that they thought that the NW110 was only good for about 20g tanks.

It's rated for 100g and I'm running it on a (roughly) 35g system.

Can one of you give me the actual foot print size seems every website has the foot print listed different.How deep do you run it in I hear 8 inches is the sweet spot. Thanks

It's 10" x 7" for mine, although there are some different generations, which might be the cause for the discrepancies in descriptions. I run my at 7", but that doesn't mean that 8" isn't better! I get some pretty thick skim, which is just how I like it!

do you have any pics of it in action?

These aren't the best pictures, but they are all I could scare up right now.





I'll note just for the record that the skimmate color may not be the natural color, because I dump my test kit water into the skim cup.

I have the NWB-200 model with the bubble plate on my 75. It makes my expensive Euro-Reef look like an airstone skimmer. Best bang for your buck for sure.

i own one, LOVE it.

The LFS I work at has like fifteen different Octo's going, we love them.

The NW-110 comes in several different models. The older ones (which are still great) have screw-off cups, vs. the newer which just pull off.

Definatly among the best skimmers for a <75g system, especially for the price!

Been a while since I checked this.

I have mine on my 40B setup, so that's 94g total system volume. Works great for me, as I don't feed heavy. Pulls out some nasty funky stuff. Would I buy another one? Certainly.

I just picked up the new model of one of these skimmers. Can't really say how well it's working yet as there is nothing in my tank to skim yet. But it makes some nice bubbles

Very quiet though.

I'm starting a build list for a 75g I'm getting in a couple days....I think this is definitely going to get in the sump.

I also have this skimmer, the 2009 model, except it's the recirculating one (OCT-DNWB-110)......works great!!!

How deep is the water level that everyones skimmer is placed in? I have the same skimmer and love it. It does a great job but I'm running it in like 11 inches of water is this too high?

I used to have a nw 150 on my old 40g, it worked best in ~9" of water. I loved that skimmer so much that I bought a new octo extreme 200 for an upcoming build.

Even at 11 it does a good job. I'm picking it up a couple inches rite now

I'm strongly considering this skimmer - my sump has roughly 10-11" of water. How does everyone raise it up to meet the best water level?

Also, can anyone compare this skimmer to:

Bubble Magus NAC3+
ASM G1
Aquamaxx AM100
SWC Xtreme 160 Cone

(or maybe this isn't the right thread)

All I did was put three layers of eggcrate under it. + you will not regret this purchase. This skimmer is worth every penny and more.

A day and a half of thick skim. It's so lovely.

And my sump as well

Glad to here you having great success and that i did not waste my money... mines came in a few days ago... cant use it yet still setting up my new tank...

I actually went with the SWC 160 Cone. We'll see how it compares.

I don't know the skimmer d but good luck. This is the second I've owned and it does what its suppose to do. It does great actualy!
Who makes the skimmer you picked up? I'm not familiar with the abbreviation.

Saltwater Connection, I think is the name. Their cone skimmers are fairly new to the scene.

What are you running it on? I'm assuming it's rate for a 150+ gallon setup?

About 60g total, will eventually be heavily stocked.

Has anyone ever mod'd this skimmers air intake to regulate the bubble size. IMO it could work even better if the bubbles where small but there is no air intake adjustment.

Aargh! And here I am trying to figure out where the air intake adjustment is. In my defense, I just got it rolling today.

Don't wory it's great even with the large bubbles. You can see what a great job it does unaltered by my pic above. I just want to maximize the efficientcy of the skimmer.

Yup, I'm feeling very hopeful. Just got it going late this morning, and I'm already starting to see some yuck mixed in with the foam.

SWC skimmers are basically the same exact design as the octopus skimmers. Most of the models you can match up by the number in the name description. I have an SWC Extreme 200 on my large tank that works great.

D how are you making out? You have this same skimmer?

Here is my mod for the lack of air intake control. My skimmer is no doubt running better and pulling more junk. All I did was. A price of eggcrate over the air intake. Adjusted till my bubbles looked rite for about five mins or so. Then super glued in a couple little spots. Just to hold it together.

By the way in the cup is about 24 hours worth of skim.

So what water level running with the current version of the 110 with gate valve? I just picked one up and trying to figure what works best.