All categories/Fishing & Aquariums/Protein Skimmers/Reef Octopus/Reef Octopus Classic 110
Reef Octopus Classic 110

Reef Octopus Classic 110

Scored on 8 verified owner verdicts, from 610 comments read across 4 communities
TL;DR
Most owners are satisfied with this skimmer, repeatedly praising its small footprint for compact sumps and its ability to pull a consistent skimate with solid, quiet performance; several report running the same unit for years without a hitch. A meaningful minority, however, report the pump or propeller sticking or failing outright, sometimes with a loud chugging noise or a total loss of water flow that leads them to plan on replacing it. A smaller number of owners also mention isolated issues like a cracked venturi fitting or the skimmer losing its bubble production after cleaning. Overall consensus leans positive on day-to-day skimming performance, with pump longevity as the main point of frustration for a subset of owners.

75% of 8 verified owners recommend the Reef Octopus Classic 110, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

What 8 owners say
610 comments reviewed · scored on the 8 clearest verdicts
75%
Recommend
6 owners
13%
Neutral
1 owners
12%
Don't recommend
1 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
0%
1
Other forumsEnthusiast forums, Reef2Reef
92%
12
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubeiowner comments
65%
20

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. YouTube is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Compact footprint that fits easily in smaller sumps without crowding the equipment area · 4 · 50%
  • Consistent, effective skimming performance that pulls a steady amount of skimate · 3 · 38%
  • Long-term reliability, with some owners running the same unit for years on the original pump without issue · 3 · 38%
What owners flag
  • Pump or propeller can stick or fail over time, sometimes making a loud chugging noise or stopping water flow entirely · 3 · 38%
Who it's for
A great fit if
  • Reefers with small sumps needing a tiny footprint
  • Budget shoppers wanting an inexpensive external skimmer
  • Those valuing quiet, consistent skimmate production
  • Owners hoping for many years of service
Look elsewhere if
  • Anyone unwilling to tune and clean to stop overflowing
  • Reefers wanting a trouble-free pump long-term

Synthesized from what Reef Octopus Classic 110 owners say — not a spec sheet.

How buyers rate it elsewhere

Retailers' own star averages, for comparison — separate from our vetted owner-verdict score above.

Top quotes, sourced

610 reviewed · 28 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
YouTube▼ don’t recommend

“After I clean the whole system, I won’t make bubble anymore”

YouTube— neutral

“I find you have to keep your water level absolutely stable, any drop or increase of a few centimetres will throw the entire thing off.”

YouTube▲ recommend

“I’ve been running my reef octopus 110 classic on and off for 9 years now still on the original old style pump. That skimmer never quits!”

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

“Its just another Mini Bubble King clone, but lacks its quality and stability. RO should test their skimmers before release.”

YouTube— neutral

“No skimmer cup drain. No thank you. Reef Octopus makes great skimmers, Best bang for the buck still Bubble Magus”

YouTube▲ recommend

“it’s ease of use matches my reef octopus”

Ultimate Reef— neutral

“It has happened to me with my octo 110s skimmer several times.”

YouTube▲ recommend

“Iv hade mine for 5 years. And its a beast. Still running Great easy to adjust”

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

“If you want a skimmer that CONSTANTLY OVERFLOWS - THIS IS THE SKIMMER FOR YOU!”

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

“Mine will not pump water. Sounds like a train chugging.”

YouTube— neutral

“Great skimmer but removing the collection cup is not so easy!!”

YouTube▲ recommend

“Great skimmers👍”

YouTube▲ recommend

“They are a workhorse for their size. Even on a larger tank they will CONSTANTLY be pulling junk out.”

YouTube▲ recommend

“this skimmer is the best skimmer for super easy to clean five star”

YouTube▲ recommend

“pulling really good a consistent skimate. Good skimmer”

YouTube▲ recommend

“I have the reef octopus 110s works great no regrets”

YouTube▲ recommend

“I’ve always run the octopus skimmers in my tanks and have been extremely happy with the cross section of quality, cost and performance.”

YouTube▲ recommend

“I got one on my 50 cube works great easy to get exactly where you want it.”

YouTube▲ recommend

“This is my skimmer works awesome”

Reef Central▲ recommend

“Im very impressed with this skimmer and would recommend it to anyone looking for a inexpensive external protein skimmer”

Reef2Reef▲ recommend

“It's a great skimmer! Small footprint for a smaller sump and great performance.”

Ultimate Reef▲ recommend

“Mine has never let me down and also has one of the smallest footprints”

YouTube▲ recommend

“I own a 150sss in my 70 gallon with tight sump. Works great”

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