Curve 5

[Wes10C]

Is the bubble magus curve 5 worth the $200ish bucks? I feel like my tank would benefit from a decent skimmer.

 

[LRT]

It is a good skimmer. If its brand new that sounds about right.
What size tank is it for?

 

[Wes10C]

It is a good skimmer. If its brand new that sounds about right.
What size tank is it for?

40 breeder/20L sump

 

[homer1475]

I run a curve 5 elite on my 80G cube. Great little skimmer, just make sure you buy the elite series as the upgrade to the sicce pump is well worth it. IMO

 

[Mical]

I have a curve 5 on my 120 and works like a charm

 

[LRT]

I think i seen someone selling one in for sale section. You may want to do a search you may find it alot cheaper here on R2R.
I bought mine barely used. Not sure if it ever had water in it honestly.
Great skimmer though and nice and compact.

 

[Joeg]

I have a Curve 7 which is essentially the same thing just a little bigger. I've not been too happy with mine and find it very difficult to tune and I often seem to have it dialed in and then within a couple of days it's like it was never tuned even though nothing has changed. If I didn't know better I'd say one of my dogs is screwing with me and adjusting it at night :)

I may replace mine at some point and any replacement will have to have a true gate valve for more precise flow than a standpipe can offer.

Maybe it's just me or I got a bad one, but I feel like I spend too much time constantly looking to see whether the foam is anywhere near the collection cup.

With that said, many people use Curve skimmers and seem satisfied. It also seems to have a high build quality.

 

[homer1475]

Is the regular curve series just a standpipe? The elite series has a toothed plate that covers the water outlet hole. So in essence a much smaller adjustment then just a regular cut off standpipe.

Didn't realize that was an upgrade as i have never owned another bubble magus skimmer.

 

[Joeg]

Yes, the regular "non elite" version just has a plain white standpipe.

I'm still a bit hopeful I can get mine to be more reliable but the amount of frustration up to this point doesn't doesn't make me want to recommend what I bought. As I mentioned earlier and as you've seen in other posts, there are people who like theirs.

Is the regular curve series just a standpipe? The elite series has a toothed plate that covers the water outlet hole. So in essence a much smaller adjustment then just a regular cut off standpipe.

Didn't realize that was an upgrade as i have never owned another bubble magus skimmer.

 

[samnaz]

+1 search the dry goods selling forum. I got my curve 5 for around $100 a few years back.

 

[LRT]

I have a Curve 7 which is essentially the same thing just a little bigger. I've not been too happy with mine and find it very difficult to tune and I often seem to have it dialed in and then within a couple of days it's like it was never tuned even though nothing has changed. If I didn't know better I'd say one of my dogs is screwing with me and adjusting it at night :)

I may replace mine at some point and any replacement will have to have a true gate valve for more precise flow than a standpipe can offer.

Maybe it's just me or I got a bad one, but I feel like I spend too much time constantly looking to see whether the foam is anywhere near the collection cup.

With that said, many people use Curve skimmers and seem satisfied. It also seems to have a high build quality.

These are a little harder to get acclimated and fine tuned. I found i had to submerge mine in half the depth of water it reccomended.
Minimum water flow means maximum water flow etc.
Once you get them dialed though they are great machines. And won't find anything more compact thats nearly as efficient.

 

[Wes10C]

Do y’all think the curve 5 is too powerful for 50-60 gallons of water?

 

[Bryknicks]

I had a curve 5 for a few years and it worked. I switched to a coral box d300 and like it so much better. Much better value for the minimal cost in price.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Do y’all think the curve 5 is too powerful for 50-60 gallons of water?

I do wonder about this. If it is working too well.
My chaeto is not really growing on my sump. But it could be because my tank is fairly new.

I have a curve 5 elite on my 40b/20L sump.

Love it. I also add a gate valve on the intake air that goes outside my window.

Btw. I also got this from a fellow R2R. BNIB. For way cheaper than the sticker price

 

[HockeyRooster]

I got a used curve 5 and it was horrible to get dialed in properly. That said, now that it’s working, it’s working well and collects the grossest, nastiest skimmate. It’s in the sump under my 90