The latest version of the UltraReef Akula UKS-180 is actually in use in our associate’s 450 liter (120 gallon) aquarium right now. A good occasion for us to present it to you.

Fabio‘s aquarium has been running for almost a year, and even if it isn’t completely full of SPS corals yet, its large size makes it an excellent testing ground.

We of DaniReef have seen 3 generations of Akula 180, and it’s going to be interesting to recall all the differences when we do our review, especially the specs of treated water and air.

The skimmer is  built excellently, very solid and incredibly heavy. The attention to detail is remarkable. And if we compare it to the first Akula (that we had the honor to review) the difference is huge and the quantum leap forward is obvious.

The comparison between UltraReef Akula UKS 180, 2013, and 2018

As you can see from the pictures above, the two skimmers are quite different. The latest incarnation has less use of PVC, different regulation, different pump, a different size, but it still maintains the quality construction that distinguishes UltraReef.

The most apparent change in the new Akula series is the conical body of the skimmer. At the base, it has a diameter of 18 cm, but it is only 14 cm at the top where we insert the glass, which has retained the useful EasyFlip system, that allows us to pull out the glass with one hand.

Even the drain has been completely reconsidered, now the valve that opens and closes the drain can be easily regulated through a screw system with personalized silk screen printing.

Technical characteristics of the UltraReef Akula UKS 180 2018

• Skimming pump: sicce PSK1000+;
• Consumption: 25 w;
• Treated air: 700~800 liters/hour;
• Treated water: 1,400 liters/hour;
• Encumbrance at the base: 190×250 mm;
• Height: 560 mm;
• Cylinder diameter: 140-180 mm;
• Level of water in sump suggested: 18-22 cm.

The skimmer has the classic scheme of a pump with brush rotor, but the pump is inside and it has a drain from below, in order to take up minimum space in our sumps. Unfortunately, though, this doesn’t permit us to measure the quantity of treated water.

Give us a couple of months to test the skimmer and we will talk about it in depth with one our our usual reviews.

[Translated by Agnese Poggi]