Flexibility. Adaptability. Simplicity.
These three qualities are what I look for when reviewing reef tank equipment. If I’ve learned anything throughout my years as a professional and hobbyist, it’s that no amount of fancy marketing tactics can overshadow the results of straightforward, solid and efficient design.
So, when it came time to review the Somatic 90 Sump and Skimmer Filtration System, I approached this device with caution. Don’t get me wrong, my trepidation wasn’t due to fears in its quality. As many of you may already know, Somatic produces quality devices and tools.
My hesitation stems from years of falling into the combo packs of “quality” devices at an affordable price.
The Somatic 90 Filtering System is two separate products sold together (Sump + Protein Skimmer). As I’ve learned in the past, sometimes the reason for this combination deal isn’t to offer the greatest value, but to offload underperforming equipment.
Of course, I knew Somatic wouldn’t deliver a subpar product, but is this packaged sump and skimmer offer as robust as its single-item products?
Spoiler Alert: Yes, it’s performance and assembly is quite impressive. How impressive, you may ask? Let’s take a journey into this interesting, smartly designed and efficient sump & skimmer system.
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
The Brains Behind the Designs - Somatic by Vertex.
As I’ve said before, products are only as great as the company who makes them. It’s important to understand where your reef equipment is made as this reveals far more than any blog post or product marketing copy. If you’ve ever been jilted by overhyped claims, then you understand the value of brand research.
In brief, Somatic is a branch of the international reef tank supplier, Vertex. Founded in 2008, this Canadian company has over a decade of experience manufacturing and supporting next-level equipment. Throughout this time, Vertex has established manufacturing and distribution warehouses in Germany and Shenzen.
Experienced reefers may recognize Vertex from their RO/DI filter line, Puratek, or its celebrated Alpha and Omega skimmers and very soon long awaited “Cerebra” Controller! I can’t wait to see their final product. The release of the Somatic brand, really made waves among the reefing hobby.
Relocating to California in 2014, Vertex is positioning itself as a leader in reef tank equipment design. If you’re curious, I recommend taking a few moments and browsing the various products under both the Vertex and Somatic brands.
Overall, I join the countless other reefers who consider Vertex and Somatic as a solid, capable and trustworthy manufacturer. After finishing this review, you’ll likely agree.
There’s Sumpin’ Fishy Going On - Exploring Somatic 90 Modular Design.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I read the term “modular design,” I bounce with excitement. There’s something about this phrase that triggers futuristic imagery and beneficial design advancements.
After using the Somatic 90 Sump and Skimmer Filtration System, I happily report that these feelings were well-deserved.
Before diving into the technical specs and performance elements of this review, let’s talk about the most noticeable feature: its design.
Beauty and Function - The Best of Both Worlds.
In the reefing hobby, it’s rare to have a solid piece of equipment that’s both beautiful and functional. Typically, it’s either visually stunning and underperforming, or vice-versa.
Thankfully, the Somatic 90 Sump & Skimmer System flees from this expectation by offering both aesthetic appeal and reliable performance.
Right out of the box, you’ll notice its bold design. Its black-and-clear casing is perfectly highlighted with bright red accents. I know, the appearance of equipment isn’t the most important feature to discuss, but wait until you see this beauty in person.
If you don’t have an cabinet area to discretely store the sump tank, then you’ll really appreciate its sophisticated style.
Manufactured out of PVC and solid cast acrylic, the Somatic 90 is built to withstand the daily abuse of tank filtration.
Ultimately, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an equally as impressive sump/skimmer filtration system.
Okay, now that we’ve covered its visual design, what’s up with its “modular” components?
A Sump Designed to be as Flexible as You Need - Modular Sump Review.
Essentially, the term modular refers to its ability to integrate with multiple filtration methodologies.
Instead of simply working with only one or two filtering processes, the Somatic 90 Sump is surprisingly adaptable. Adjusting its functionality is as easy as adding specific attachments and accessories.
As a modular system, the primary design is one built around flexibility. Think of its integration as being more a la carte, rather than predetermined. You can, for example, upgrade the sump to have a filter sock holder, dosing line holder, mechanically controlled auto top off or securely hold dosing containers.
Measuring 15” wide, 24.1” long and 15.1” tall, the Somatic 90 Sump tank is ideal for 75 to 150 gallon reef aquariums. This size and dimensions of the sump, combined with its modular flexibility, means it can grow and adjust with your hobby.
The Precision of Refined Skimmer Design - Somatic 90 Skimmer Review.
If you aren’t already aware, the design and operation of a protein skimmer means the difference between a clean and healthy ecosystem, or one that’s constantly in danger of imbalanced nutrients.
Common knowledge would say that because the Somatic 90 comes with both sump and skimmer, its quality will be less than desirable. This, my dear reader, is one of the few times when common knowledge is completely wrong.
The Somatic 90 protein skimmer is perhaps one of the most capable on the market. Powered by the Sicce skimmer pump, you’ll be blown away by its high-performance functionality.
While this isn’t the absolute best protein skimmer, it’s guaranteed to go beyond your expectations.
One of the coolest features of the skimmer is its operational noise. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve simply disconnected a skimmer and moved on with another brand because it sounded like a mini-lawn mower was running without abandon in my living room.
Of course, this isn’t to say that you should expect a 100% silent skimmer. As far as I know, this doesn’t exist (if it does, let me know!), but what does exist are a select few skimmers that are almost whisper quiet.
Operational noise is unavoidable. However, the Somatic 90 Sump and Skimmer System is super quiet. Along with the Sicce skimmer pump, which is regarded as a relatively quiet device, the entire system is built with noise reduction in-mind.
Throughout the system, you’ll find rubber dampeners attached in specific areas. As you may already know, so much of the noise from skimmers and other devices are due to vibration. The rubber dampeners, however, dull vibrations from rattling the many parts of the system.
Waste Removal Made Easy - Collection Cup Maintenance.
For those unfamiliar with the operation of a protein skimmer, here’s a quick breakdown of this filtering method:
- Microbubbles push through the water column.
- Surface tension formed on the exterior of each bubble collects waste matter.
- Waste transfers from the water column on the surface of these bubbles and is stored in the collection cup.
When shopping for a protein skimmer, collection cup design and stability is paramount. Without a properly designed collection process, it’s possible for the gunk extracted from the water to be re-introduced into the main water column. This means, the cup can overflow or be tipped over and all that nasty infiltrates the delicate world you’re trying to maintain.
The biggest issue many reefers have with the Somatic 90 Skimmer boils down to its collection cup assembly, which leads us to our next section:
The A-B-C’s of Somatic 90 Sump & Skimmer Assembly.
Because this entire system is ready to work right out of the box, assembly is shockingly straightforward.
The greatest benefit of the Somatic 90 over comparable systems is its pre-designed functionality. As mentioned earlier, the modular design means you can add on various accessories as you see fit. Ultimately, this means assembling your ideal filtration system without sketchy DIY workarounds.
After playing around with the Somatic 120 in the Reef Hacks frag tank system, the biggest issue I came across had to deal with its collection cup.
Essentially, the collection cup attaches to the skimmer body with an O-Ring. At first, you’ll appreciate this design as it looks very easy to use. However, this is an excellent example of aesthetics hurting practicality.
The problem arises when it comes time to clean the cup. Because of its secure fit within the skimmer, removing the cup is a tricky task. While I like how sturdy the cup is during operation, it’s a little too sturdy.
Basically, when the cup is full, it’s very easy to accidentally spill its gross contents back into the water when you try to remove to during the maintenance.
But, don’t worry, we have a hack for this.
During assembly, apply a thin layer of silicon-based grease on the actual O-Ring like Danco 88693 Silicone Grease or the one you like more.
Once the O-Ring is lubed, inserting and removing the collection cup is quick and easy. The best part? It’s a cost-effective hack that prevents the potential harm of spilling waste matter back into your cleaned tank water column.
Make sure to reapply the silicone grease every time you remove the cup. This keeps things nice and slippery.
Somatic 90 Sump and Skimmer Filtration System - Final Thoughts.
It’s difficult to truly describe the impact this system can have on your reef tank health. From its modular sump design to the powerful skimmer setup, Somatic 90 is one of the few combination systems that are actually worth your money.
Even if you’re unsure, the price should be enough to intrigue. For less than the cost of some single-equipment systems, you get both a functional sump and skimmer. However, the real advantage of the Somatic 90 is its ability to safely adjust based on your current filtration needs and future system layout.
Ultimately, I’m beyond pleased with the easy assembly, stable operation and beautiful design of this system.
What are your thoughts? Have you used the Somatic 60, 90 or 120 Filtration Systems? Head over to the Reef Hacks Facebook page and let us know!
And, as always, Happy Reefing!
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.