Curve 5 elite-100g

ChrisfromBrick · Feb 5, 2026

I really like the idea of this skimmer. Admittedly I have very limited experience with skimmers except a 16 year old SWC that’s on my current tank. It’s on its way out and i don’t cherish the idea of a pump that old running on my system.

Description says water level 9.5-11” ideal sump water height. My water level is 8.5” Also- heavy bio load says ideal for 75g and my setup is 100.

I skim mostly for oxygenation and scrubbing since i have low nutrients. Will a curve 5 elite undersized in slightly lower water level be ok? I really like the reviews.

Isaac Alves · Feb 5, 2026

I have the curve 5 elite skimmer on my office tank which is only a 40 breeder with a 20 gallon long as a sump.

And it’s barely enough in my opinion.

Euphyllia098 · Feb 5, 2026

ChrisfromBrick said:
I really like the idea of this skimmer. Admittedly I have very limited experience with skimmers except a 16 year old SWC that’s on my current tank. It’s on its way out and i don’t cherish the idea of a pump that old running on my system.

Description says water level 9.5-11” ideal sump water height. My water level is 8.5” Also- heavy bio load says ideal for 75g and my setup is 100.

I skim mostly for oxygenation and scrubbing since i have low nutrients. Will a curve 5 elite undersized in slightly lower water level be ok? I really like the reviews.

The water level suggestion on those skimmers is wrong, it works best in about 7.5" of water. I struggled to make that skimmer work in the deeper water, but it would constantly overflow no matter what I did. I found some older posts from others that had success in lower water. So I put it on a stand and it's been chugging away without issue for 5 years now.

Undersized is fine depending on your bio load.

I like this skimmer for the price, and it's super easy to maintain. On my newer build I bought a more expensive " better shim6mer" but it's more of a pain to clean and doesn't come apart near as easy.

xWascallyWabbit · Feb 5, 2026

I too have a curve 5 elite. Easy to clean. Made a 2 inch stand as well as i like my water level in the sump to be on the higher side. No complaints. If you just looking for aeration rather than nutrient control it's a solid choice.
Sicce pump is ac so it will create a little bit of heat but probably not anything to be worried about in 100 gal system.