Octo SRO 6000EXT Recirculating External Protein Skimmer
SKU: SRO-6000EXT
MSRP: $ 1,362.89
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Premium Recirculating Engineering: Independent loop architecture separates the internal bubble-shredding volume from the raw system feed line, allowing complete control over reaction dwell time.
- Bubble Blaster HY-5000s Integration: Driven by a specialized 45-watt fractionating pump featuring a Silicon Nitride digital control rotor that pulls a massive 2,100 L/H of air volume.
- Anti-Turbulence Hybrid Cone Profile: Merges a wide 12-inch cylindrical base with a smooth, tapering upper cone to naturally stabilize and compress the rising foam column.
- Rugid Cast Acrylic Construction: Entirely hand-built using optically clear, structural-grade cast polymer engineered to resist structural flexing, ozone exposure, and clouding.
- Precision Wedge-Valve Output Control: Equipped with a fine-tuned, easy-turn output gate valve mechanism to establish and lock in the ideal internal water operating depth.
- Oversized Collection Cup with Drain: High-capacity waste head built with an internal directional flow guide, specialized lid venting, and a dedicated thumb-plug plumbing drain.
Reef Octopus
Globally trusted for premium protein skimmers and pumps, engineered in-house for unmatched reef filtration performance.
Reef Octopus Super Reef SRO 6000ext Recirculating External Protein Skimmer (SRO-6000EXT)
The Reef Octopus Super Reef SRO 6000ext Recirculating External Protein Skimmer (SKU: SRO-6000EXT) is a high-capacity out-of-sump organic waste extraction system distributed by CoralVue to maintain low nutrient metrics across massive marine systems up to 700 gallons. Standard internal in-sump skimmers are continuously affected by fluctuating sump water levels, evaporation cycles, and shared chamber turbulence. The SRO-6000EXT bypasses these mechanical variables completely by utilizing a fully sealed, recirculating external framework. By drawing its internal processing volume independently via its dedicated Bubble Blaster loop, the skimmer maintains an unyielding, high-density air-stripping column that processes dissolved proteins, amino acids, and organic compounds before they can break down into nitrates and phosphates.
At the center of this heavy-duty system is the specialized Bubble Blaster HY-5000s pinwheel pump. Unlike basic utility water pumps fitted with afterthought needlewheels, the Bubble Blaster is built from the ground up for the sole purpose of air fractionating. Utilizing an ultra-hard Silicon Nitride impeller shaft and high-flux Neodymium rare-earth magnets, the pump delivers extreme rotational torque while drawing a mere 45 watts of electricity. The pump injects a massive 2,100 L/H of air directly into an integrated bubble diffusing plate at the skimmer base. This configuration eliminates harsh directional tracking, resulting in an ultra-quiet, microbubble cloud with massive total surface area that smoothly travels up the 12-inch hybrid cone body without collapsing early.
Key Features
True Recirculating Performance Advantage: Allows you to fine-tune the exact rate at which water passes through the chamber by utilizing a separate, secondary feed line or dedicated utility pump.
Integrated Internal Circuit Shutdown: Onboard digital pump circuitry checks operational resistance in real time, automatically cutting power if a jammed needlewheel or physical blockage is detected.
High-Volume Air Silencer Array: Oversized noise reduction cylinder with built-in flexible air line mounts minimizes suction noise for near-silent operation.
(Note: This external system requires a separate, dedicated feed pump or a manifold line delivering between 900 and 1,400 GPH of raw system water to function correctly).
Verified System Load Ratings
Heavy Bioload Environments: Rated for heavily populated coral reef systems up to 500 Gallons.
Medium Bioload Environments: Rated for standard mixed reef or community marine setups up to 600 Gallons.
Light Bioload Environments: Rated for sparsely populated layouts or ultra-low nutrient configurations up to 700 Gallons.
What’s Included:
(1) Reef Octopus SRO 6000ext Heavy-Cast Acrylic External Skimmer Body
(1) Reef Octopus Bubble Blaster HY-5000s External Pinwheel Pump with Clear Volute Face
(1) High-Volume Integrated Venturi Air Silencer with Silicon Air Hose
(1) Precision Output Wedge Gate Valve Plumbing Assembly with Non-Siphon Top Bar
(Note: Dedicated 900–1,400 GPH feed pumps and external waste collectors are sold separately).
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: Reef Octopus SRO 6000ext Recirculating External Skimmer
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: SRO-6000EXT
Primary Body Diameter: 12 Inches (30.48 cm)
Total Neck Collar Diameter: 7.5 Inches (19.05 cm)
Overall Physical Dimensions: 20.5 Inches x 17 Inches x 29 Inches (L x W x H)
Water Inlet Size Interface: 1-Inch Slip Union Connection
Water Output Size Interface: 1.5-Inch PVC (50mm metric configuration adapter)
Output Water Line Height: 9.56 Inches from Base Plane
Operational Pump Power Draw: 120V AC / 60Hz / 45 Watts
Maximum Operational Air Draw Rate: 2,100 Liters Per Hour (74 SCFH)
- Place the SRO-6000EXT on a flat, level surface next to your sump or inside your dry electronics bay, ensuring you have enough vertical clearance to lift the large collection cup.
- Connect your separate feed pump or utility manifold line directly to the 1-inch plumbing intake bulkhead on the lower body wall.
- Assemble the 1.5-inch output plumbing configuration, ensuring the non-siphon open-air bar points perfectly straight up to prevent air-locking in the drain lines.
- Route the final discharge plumbing pipe down into your sump, placing the pipe exit slightly below the sump's normal operating water line to eliminate splashing noise.
- Turn on your primary feed pump first to fill the 12-inch skimmer column with water. Warning: Never power up the Bubble Blaster pump dry, as running without water will quickly melt the internal seals.
- Once water is flowing cleanly out of the discharge pipe, plug the Bubble Blaster pump into the wall, and turn the output wedge valve to set your initial foam line roughly 2 inches below the neck collar.
Pro Tips:
- Clean the Air Venturi Path with Fresh Water Weekly. Because the Bubble Blaster HY-5000s draws a massive 2,100 L/H of air directly into a saltwater line, salt spray and mineral evaporation will steadily form a hard crust inside the small brass or plastic venturi injection port. This buildup chokes off the air lines, causing the water level inside the skimmer to rise and eventually overflow the cup. To prevent this, simply disconnect the silicone air line from the silencer once a week and pull 1 cup of warm fresh water through the tube while the pump is running to safely dissolve any salt crust.
- Never Use a Feed Pump That Exceeds 1,400 GPH. The secret to the SRO-6000EXT's performance is contact time—allowing the microbubbles ample time to attract organic compounds. If you use an oversized feed pump that forces more than 1,400 GPH through the chamber, the internal velocity will become too high. This excessive flow will push the microbubbles downward and out through the discharge plumbing before they can float up into the collection neck, causing massive air bubble export into your display tank and severely lowering your skimming efficiency.
- Verify All Internal O-Rings Are Seated Before Tightening Unions. During assembly or seasonal teardown cleanings, the large black and white rubber O-rings inside the compression unions can easily slip out of their tracks or twist out of place. If you screw the hard PVC union rings down over a pinched or missing gasket, the joint will develop a slow leak under pressure. Always look closely at each union joint to verify that the rubber ring is sitting flat in its grooved track before tightening the collar down hand-tight.