Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite Protein Skimmer

The Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite Protein Skimmer is the in-sump skimmer that punches above its price: a cell-cast acrylic body, a quiet Sicce SK-200 needle-wheel pump and a geared water-level knob that makes tuning a two-finger job. Sized for the sump under a 40 to 120 gallon reef, it fits a 7.3 by 7.1 inch footprint and stands 18.5 inches tall. It pulls a dense, dry skimmate for tanks from 75 gallons with a heavy bioload up to 125 gallons lightly stocked, and every part comes apart for cleaning. Step up to the Curve 7 Elite for bigger systems, and browse the rest of our saltwater supplies.

Why You'll Love It

• Sicce SK-200 needle-wheel pump: 375 GPH of water and 300 LPH of air from a pump famous for running quiet and lasting for years.
• Geared water-level control: turn the knob to raise or lower the water level inside the body and dial in wet or dry skimmate without touching the pump.
• Cast acrylic body: crystal-clear, thick-walled acrylic that shows you exactly what is happening in the neck.
• Comes apart completely: body, cup, pump and base separate for a real cleaning instead of a rinse.
• Cup drain port: the easy-lift collection cup has a built-in drain, so you can run a line to a larger container and stretch maintenance intervals.
• Quiet by design: vibration-reducing feet and soft connectors keep pump hum out of the cabinet.

Which Tank Is It For?

Rate by how you stock, not just by gallons. A lightly stocked SPS system sits at the top of the range; a fish-heavy tank with big eaters should sit near the bottom.

Setup and Tuning

1. Place it in a sump section with 9.5 to 11 inches of water; use a stand or a raised platform if your sump runs deeper.
2. Assemble the cup, connect the air line to the silencer and plug in the pump. Set the water-level knob low to start.
3. Give it 1 to 2 weeks to break in while the acrylic loses its manufacturing residue, then raise the level a little at a time until foam climbs steadily into the neck.
4. Empty and wipe the cup weekly, clean the neck as skimmate builds, and pull the pump for a vinegar soak every few months.

Specifications

What's Included

• Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite protein skimmer with Sicce SK-200 pump, collection cup with drain port, air silencer and tubing

Recommended Pairings

• Bubble Magus Curve 7 Elite Protein Skimmer, for tanks up to 200 gallons
• PolypLab Genesis Rock, extra biological filtration to pair with mechanical export
• More saltwater supplies

FAQ

Can it run hang-on or external? No. The Curve Elite is an in-sump skimmer and needs to sit in 9.5 to 11 inches of water.

Why is it not skimming out of the box? New acrylic needs a break-in period. Run it for a week or two at a low water level and it will settle into a steady foam head.

Wet or dry skimmate? Lower water level makes drier, darker skimmate that needs emptying less often; raise it for wetter skimming when nutrients are high.

Is it loud? The Sicce pump is one of the quietest in its class, and the rubber feet and connectors keep vibration off the sump. A gurgle at the silencer usually means the air line needs adjusting.