Evolution of the Reef Octopus PRIME Skimmer

In response to Reef Builders post by Jake Adams
http://reefbuilders.com/2014/02/12/reef-octopus-prime-skimmer-nearperfect-clone-vertex-omega/ 

Although the skimmers noted in the Reef Builders February 12th post have their similarities, they are far from being a "near-perfect clone skimmer." In fact, besides some common traits, the Reef Octopus PRIME skimmer sets itself apart from the Vertex Omega in a multitude of different ways. Just because a red Ford sedan automobile has the same 4 wheels, 4 doors, muffler and windows as a white with red pin stripes Toyota sedan, it does not make it a copy. Reef Octopus Prime and Vertex Omega have many similar features but lets face it, Reef Octopus has and still includes many of the so called "replicated" features on their extensive line of skimmers even before Vertex produced skimmers. Many of the trend setting features seen today were brought to the forefront of the industry by companies like Royal Exclusive, ATB and Reef Octopus.

 Almost a year later, Reef Octopus offered CoralVue the opportunity of using the Super Cone body with an affordable DC pump in a revolutionary open volute design CoralVue branded as the Reef Octopus POV skimmer.  To be fair, the body itself is not identical but actually superior to the Vertex Omega as the outflow connection is located at the absolute bottom of the mold for added strength, stability and reduction of micro bubble emission. 

To achieve near silent operation, we incorporated a XL silencer to suppress the audible vacuum sound, overlying vent cap, rubber connection from pump to skimmer body and a submersed output. Although the pump is essentially silent, running the rubber connection not only reduces vibration transmission from pump to body but also prevents a weak point that is susceptible to breakage.  CoralVue has always favored the gate valve, but we felt that a user friendly numeric wedge valve was needed for greater understanding of the output setting. The wedge valve also helps relieve output pressure and also allows the water to quietly exit below the water surface while reducing operating noise. 

The Final Word
Let's face it, any manufacturer can slap another companies pump on a skimmer body, but the Reef Octopus PRIME + ELITE lines utilize pinwheel Reef Octopus Aquatrance and Reef Octopus DC skimmer pumps engineered and produced by Reef Octopus itself. Both pumps were under development and arduous testing for more than 3 years before being released to the public.

So, while the new Reef Octopus Skimmers may be perceived as "copies", once you take a closer look, you will clearly see there are major differences. The Reef Octopus Skimmers have been a carefully planned evolution and every single feature has a well defined purpose.

*The PRIME 150-INT, PRIME 200-INT, ELITE 200-INT and ELITE-220INT are expected to be released in early April 2014.