Recently started to use this skimmer and the pump needed to be replaced. Got the new replacement pump which is now a Sicce-2500 rather than the Hydor they originally put in them (supposedly too many problems is what the Red Sea rep told me). Previously I was running the Octopus 200 model that used the same pump as this and did an excellent job also.

The one thing I've noticed with this being a recirculation skimmer is the foam is much nicer than in the Octo and the bubbles created appear to be a little smaller from what I can see through the top portion of the skimmer. What I like so far about this skimmer is the pump seems to be better matched for this skimmer since it is just for creating the foamy froth. I'm sure the contact time in the Octo was better do to the height but it just always seemed like the pump was possibly a little undersized for it, then again I suppose it worked fine also.

The neck cleaning works pretty good but I suppose it would still be best to give it a good cleaning every couple of weeks. What I do like is that the reaction chamber isn't clear acrylic so less algae buildup inside and toward the top like my old skimmer would get from the fuge light. So far liking it a lot and suppose will be putting the Octo up for sale soon as long as it continues to work out well.

If my thoughts on the skimmer change I'll repost, but considering the real work is done from the pump and the rest is just designs that keep changing every year I think I'll be happy with it in the long run.