Octo Skimmer Air Line Tubing 5/16in
SKU: ROP-TUBE-516
- Sold by the Foot: Cut to order in continuous lengths so you can purchase the exact measurement required for your sump configuration, CO2 scrubber run, or remote air draw.
- Fits Most Reef Octopus Skimmers: Engineered to factory tolerances to fit the standard 5/16-inch venturi nozzles and air silencer barbs found on the vast majority of Reef Octopus protein skimmers.
- Optimized Air Suction: 5/16-inch internal diameter delivers unrestricted air draw, maintaining maximum air-to-water contact ratios and stable micro-bubble production.
- Kink-Resistant & Flexible: Heavy-wall silicone construction routes cleanly around sump baffles, tight cabinet corners, and skimmer necks without collapsing or crimping shut.
- Ozone & UV Resistant: Marine-grade silicone elastomer will not stiffen, crack, or degrade when exposed to ozone injection, humid saltwater air, or intense sump lighting.
- Versatile Equipment Integration: Seamlessly extends skimmer air intakes to remote outdoor fresh air lines, inline air dryers, or high-capacity carbon dioxide scrubbers.
Reef Octopus
Globally trusted for premium protein skimmers and pumps, engineered in-house for unmatched reef filtration performance.
Reef Octopus 5/16-Inch Skimmer Air Line Tubing (Sold by the Foot)
A protein skimmer's performance depends heavily on continuous, unrestricted air intake through its venturi valve. Over years of operation inside a damp, humid sump cabinet, generic vinyl tubing turns hard and yellow, eventually developing micro-cracks or tight kinks that restrict airflow, reduce foam production, and lead to erratic water levels in the skimmer body. The Octo Skimmer Air Line Tubing 5/16in (SKU: ROP-TUBE-516) is the genuine OEM replacement air hose designed to service most Reef Octopus Protein Skimmers.
Sold conveniently by the foot, ROP-TUBE-516 allows you to order continuous custom lengths tailored to your exact setup. Whether you need a short 8-inch replacement lead to reconnect a pump venturi to its stock air silencer, several feet to mount a secondary CO2 scrubber outside your stand, or a long run to pull fresh oxygen-rich air from an exterior window, this tubing provides an airtight friction fit over standard 5/16-inch barbed fittings. Built from flexible, medical-grade silicone elastomer, the tubing resists vacuum collapse caused by powerful needlewheel pumps (such as Aquatrance, Bubble Blaster, and VarioS series), while remaining completely inert to ozone degradation and saltwater corrosion.
Ideal Application & Upgrade Scenarios
If your skimmer air hose has stiffened and cracked with age, if you are relocating your air silencer to a more accessible cabinet location, or if you need to run dedicated intake plumbing to a floor-mounted CO2 scrubber or outdoor air port to raise aquarium pH, purchasing ROP-TUBE-516 by the foot delivers factory-spec performance cut to your exact requirements.
(Note: Sold per linear foot. Enter the desired continuous length in feet as the order quantity. Barbed fittings, air silencers, pumps, and skimmer bodies sold separately).
What’s Included:
(1) Continuous Length of Reef Octopus 5/16-Inch Skimmer Air Line Tubing (Sold by the Foot, Cut to Ordered Quantity)
Technical Specs:
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: ROP-TUBE-516
Sales Unit: Per Linear Foot (Continuous Length)
Inner Diameter (ID): 5/16 Inch / ~7.9 mm (9/20mm OD)
Material: Heavy-Duty Marine-Grade Flexible Silicone Elastomer
Color: Semi-Translucent Neutral White
Chemical Compatibility: Ozone Safe, UV Resistant, Saltwater & Freshwater Inert
Wall Construction: Reinforced Thick-Wall Anti-Kink & Vacuum-Collapse Resistant
Skimmer Model Compatibility: Fits most Reef Octopus protein skimmers equipped with 5/16-inch air barbs, including:
Classic Series (110-INT, 150-INT, 152-S, 160-INT, 200-INT, 202-S, SSS & EXT variants)
Regal Series (150-INT/SSS, 200-INT/SSS, 250-INT/SSS, 300-INT)
Elite Series (150-INT/SSS, 200-INT/SSS, 220-INT)
Essence Series (S-130)
Needle Wheel Legacy Series (NWB-110, NWB-150, NWB-200, DNWB series)
Compatible with pumps: Aquatrance (1800S, 2000S, 3000S), Bubble Blaster (HY-1000S, HY-2000S, HY-3000S, HY-5000S, HY-10000S), and VarioS-S series (2-S, 4-S, 6-S)
Installation & Sizing Guidelines:
Measure the routing distance from your skimmer pump venturi nozzle to your silencer, CO2 scrubber, or external intake port, adding 2 to 3 inches of slack to avoid tension.
Cut the ordered tubing squarely across its diameter using a sharp utility knife or hose cutter.
Turn off power to the skimmer pump before removing the existing air hose.
Carefully pull the aged tubing off the pump venturi nozzle and air silencer barb.
Inspect both plastic barbed fittings for salt crystals or calcium buildup; clear any blockages with a small wooden pick.
Push the new ROP-TUBE-516 tubing firmly over the venturi barb until it seats completely against the barb shoulder.
Connect the remaining end to your air silencer or secondary air filtration equipment.
Verify that the line forms a gentle curve without pinching against sump dividers or cabinet framework.
Power on the skimmer pump and inspect the foam chamber to ensure steady, uninterrupted air draw.
Pro Tips:
Order Extra Length for Direct CO2 Scrubber Routing. When adding an inline CO2 scrubber to boost system pH, routing through excess adapters and standard 1/4" airline creates flow restriction that reduces air draw. Ordering ROP-TUBE-516 by the foot allows you to run a single, continuous 5/16" line directly from your scrubber canister straight to the skimmer venturi. This eliminates intermediate barbs and maintains the pump's intended air intake volume.
Submerge Line in Warm Water for Stubborn Barbs. Because thick-walled silicone provides a tight, vacuum-sealed friction fit, sliding it onto wider barbs can require effort. Immerse the end of the tubing in warm freshwater for 15 seconds before installation. The warmth temporarily expands the silicone, allowing it to slide effortlessly over plastic barbs and contract into an airtight grip as it cools.