Bubble Magus Curve 5 vs Reef Octopus Classic 110 INT
Side-by-side of two of the most-recommended protein skimmers for 75–90 gallon reef tanks: the ~$190 Bubble Magus Curve 5 and the ~$300 Reef Octopus Classic 110. Pump specs, bioload ratings, footprint, and which one earns its price.
The contenders
Side A
Bubble Magus Curve 5
Internal sump skimmer
Side B
Reef Octopus Classic 110 INT
Internal sump skimmer
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Bubble Magus Curve 5 | Reef Octopus Classic 110 INT |
|---|---|---|
Rated tank size (heavy / medium / light bioload) source | 55 / 90 / 120 gal | 60 / 90 / 130 gal |
Pump | Bubble Magus SP1000 needle-wheel, AC (~8 W) | Aquatrance 1000S pinwheel, AC (~9 W) |
Air draw | ~300 L/h | ~420 L/h |
Footprint | 7.3" × 7.1" | 10.4" × 7.0" |
Height | 18.5" | ~19.75" |
Collection cup volume | ~0.5 L | ~0.7 L |
Drain on cup | Yes — ½" barb included | Yes — ½" barb included |
Body construction | Acrylic injection-moulded | Cast acrylic + machined parts |
Street price | ~$190 | ~$300 |
Replacement pump availability | SP1000 replacements are cheap and widely stocked | Aquatrance 1000S through Reef Octopus / CoralVue dealers |
Which one for which situation
Budget-conscious first build
Pick: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Bubble Magus Curve 5 gets about 70% of the Octopus's air draw at under two-thirds of the price. Replacement pumps are cheap and easy to find. The build quality is real but not premium — fine for a typical mixed reef.
Heavily-stocked 75 gal reef with lots of fish
Pick: Reef Octopus Classic 110 INT
The Aquatrance 1000S pulls noticeably more air (~420 L/h vs ~300 L/h), which means faster nutrient export on a fish-heavy tank. Both are rated only 55–60 gal at heavy bioload, so on a genuinely packed 75 consider the next size up. At this tier, the Classic is worth the extra ~$110.
Reefer who values silent operation
Pick: Bubble Magus Curve 5
The Curve 5's 8 W SP1000 is a small, quiet needle-wheel pump. Both are quiet once broken in for a week; the Classic's larger pump moves more air and is the one more likely to gurgle at full draw.
Tight sump footprint
Pick: Bubble Magus Curve 5
The Curve 5's 7.3" × 7.1" footprint is about three inches shorter than the Classic's 10.4" × 7". In a typical 30" sump that often makes the difference between fitting comfortably and stuffing in.
Which one should you buy?
Affiliate linksreefcalcs pick, light-to-medium load
Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer
Does the job at the lowest price in the category and dials in easily. On a 75 with a normal mixed-reef bioload (it's rated 90 gal medium) you will not see what the extra spend on a Reef Octopus buys you.
~$190 · Where to buy →Heavy fish load
Reef Octopus Classic 110-INT skimmer
More air draw and a slightly higher heavy-bioload rating (60 vs 55 gal). This is where the Curve 5 starts overflowing its cup instead of skimming steadily.
~$300 · Where to buy →If you're running ULNS
Nyos Quantum 160 skimmer
Buy this only if you're deliberately dry-skimming a low-nutrient SPS tank. On a normal mixed reef it's more skimmer than the bioload justifies.
~$450 · Where to buy →Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, reefcalcs earns from qualifying purchases.
Related calculators & references
Sources & references
- 1.Bulk Reef Supply — Bubble Magus Curve 5https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/curve-5-protein-skimmer-bubble-magus.html
- 2.Bulk Reef Supply — Reef Octopus Classic 110https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/classic-110-int-protein-skimmer-coralvue-reef-octopus.html
- 3.BRS — How to choose a protein skimmerhttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/how-to-choose-a-protein-skimmer-and-mistakes-to-avoid
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