Reef Octopus is a well-known and reputable brand in the protein skimmer world. They’re more known for their standard protein skimmers, however, they also do make HOB (hang-on-back) skimmers, such as the classic 100-HOB skimmer. We only have 2 of these in our labs, both of which are powering some new corals and nothing else.
As of this writing, this is a cheaper alternative compared to the AquaMaxx HOB protein skimmer, which is another popular HOB skimmer. Compared to the AquaMaxx, the Reef Octopus has a higher tank capacity and is slightly larger.
Here’s a comparison chart for your convenience:
| Product Image | Brand/Model | Features | Tank Capacity | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Reef Octopus 100-HOB | Needle-wheel Silent Easy setup Budget protein skimmer HOB design | 30-105 Gallons | View |
  | AquaMaxx HOB-1 | Needle-wheel Super silent Superior construction Easy setup Instant skimming Beginner friendly | 30-75 Gallons | View |
As you can see, the Reef Octopus is about the same in performance and features. The Reef Octopus is nice alternative to the AquaMaxx and offers pretty much a similar set of features. It does have a larger tank capacity, and is cheaper than the AquaMaxx. If you’re on a budget and you want a basic HOB protein skimmer, the Reef Octopus HOB is an excellent choice for the beginner or pro.
Before you read this review, check out the Reef Octopus on amazon so you know what I’m talking about.
Reef Octopus HOB – First Impression
The design is your basic protein skimmer in a compact form. There’s a dull gray, black, and clear plastic design, which can be good if you don’t want to attract too much attention. The collection cup is decently sized, and the construction of the skimmer itself seems to be sturdy. Out of the 2 that we have in the lab, I’ve set both of them up. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and setup took about an hour. The box has everything you need and no extra tools or parts are needed. Read the instructions first before you start setting it up. It’ll save you a headache instead of just diving in blindly.
Reef Octopus Skimmer Design
The design is pretty basic and doesn’t offer anything special, other than the bare necessities for it to do its job. The skimmer uses a counter-current flow and a needle-wheel rotor. Since the plastic is clear, you can see all the inner workings of it, including the reaction chamber and bubbles, which I personally think is pretty cool. The ones we have at the lab are pretty dirty, as the acrylic seems to dirty if you don’t clean it. However, you can see it actually working and all the bubbles it produces. This is a nice a contrast to the AquaMaxx HOB, which has a blue acrylic and distorts the view- if that matters to you.
Reef Octopus Skimmer Performance
The 2 we have here at the lab work perfectly for our 50 gallon tanks. We have them both mounted in the sump via inlet and outlet tubes. One thing we noticed right away is that it takes much longer for it to start producing skimmate compared to the AquaMaxx. The AquaMaxx produced skimmate within hours of setting it up. However, the Reef Octopus took about 3 days. Your results may vary. The skimmer also had to be adjusted on multiple occasions to get it running properly. But, when it was correctly set up, it pulled a lot of gunk and left the water crystal clear. If you want fast results and a reliable skimmer, I suggest you go for the HOB by AquaMaxx. If you don’t mind fiddling with it to get it working perfectly and efficiently, then this may be your skimmer. I’ve seen other people recommend the Reef Octopus over the AquaMaxx, however, from my experiences I prefer the AquaMaxx.
Protein Skimmer Maintenance
The Reef Octopus HOB protein skimmer will need regular maintenance. The collection cup isn’t that big, so you should clean it regularly. Use a turkey baster to suck out the gunk for a quick clean. This is no substitute for a regularly scheduled cleaning though. The skimmer will get dirty quickly and you need do disassemble it to clean it. The Reef Octopus breaks apart easily so you it makes it easy to clean. You need to clean it if you want to keep the acrylic clear. Both of ours at the lab are dirty from heavy use and lack of maintenance.
Noise level
The motor is audible but not by much. Mostly you hear the sound of rushing water. If this matters to you, I again, suggest buying the other HOB instead- the AquaMaxx HOB. If you properly set this up and have it properly mounted, the noise level is reduced.
Should you get a Reef Octopus HOB skimmer?
It depends on your budget. Reef Octopus is a reputable brand, but their HOB isn’t the highest rated in the industry. If you’re on a budget, this skimmer is a decent buy due to its low price and feature set. However, if you really need an HOB skimmer that performs well and budget isn’t an issue, get the AquaMaxx HOB instead. I’ve found the AquaMaxx to be superior in nearly every regard and feature compared to the Reef Octopus.
Again, it’s up to you. It depends on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend.
Check out the Reef Octopus or the AquaMaxx.