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The original NUVO 20’s skimmer chamber is a tight 3.75 × 2.5 inches, so a generic nano skimmer is not automatically a fit. This list separates documented rear-chamber options from hang-on-back alternatives and two deliberately labelled near-misses whose published size or installation geometry makes them poor choices for that rear chamber. Check your exact NUVO generation, water depth and cup-clearance before ordering.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Innovative Marine Desktop NuvoSkim DC Protein Skimmer | $130-$170 | Amazon |
| 2 | Eshopps Nano Skimmer | $120-$150 | Amazon |
| 3 | IceCap K1-Nano Protein Skimmer | $90-$120 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Bubble Magus MiniQ Nano Internal Protein Skimmer | $60-$75 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Reef Glass Nano Protein Skimmer | $70-$100 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | AquaMaxx Bullet-2 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer | $180-$220 | Amazon |
| 7 | AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Protein Skimmer | $200-$280 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Tunze Comline DOC Skimmer 9001 — near-miss | $160-$180 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Reef Octopus NS-80 Nano Protein Skimmer — near-miss | $120-$160 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Innovative Marine Desktop NuvoSkim DC Protein Skimmer
The purpose-built rear-chamber option for the NUVO Fusion 20, using a compact DC-driven design and a collection cup arranged for an AIO filtration compartment.
- NUVO Fusion 20 fit listed by retailer
- compact AIO form factor
- DC pump design
- rear-chamber installation
- Designed around the aquarium family rather than adapted from a larger sump skimmer
- Small footprint preserves more room for media
- Cup access and performance depend on keeping the chamber water level consistent
Eshopps Nano Skimmer
An in-sump nano model documented by Bulk Reef Supply as fitting in the back of a NUVO 20, with a needle-wheel style pump rather than an external air pump.
- documented NUVO 20 rear fit
- in-sump installation
- compact collection cup
- pump-driven foam production
- A true chamber-fit alternative to the proprietary IM unit
- Self-contained pump avoids external airline routing
- Needs enough clearance above the rear chamber to remove the cup
IceCap K1-Nano Protein Skimmer
A compact in-sump skimmer rated for 10–30 gallon systems; NUVO 20 owners report using it in the secondary baffle chamber, but the mount orientation needs checking.
- 2.7 × 3.2 inch body footprint
- 5W DCair pinwheel pump
- recommended water height 6–9 inches
- fully disassembles for cleaning
- Published compact body dimensions make fitment measurable
- DC pump and bubble-dispersant chamber are useful nano-tank features
- The footprint grows with the magnet mount, so measure the installed orientation
Bubble Magus MiniQ Nano Internal Protein Skimmer
A small internal skimmer rated for aquariums up to 20 gallons, with a 3.2 × 2 inch body, 2W needle-wheel pump and built-in air silencer.
- 3.2 × 2 × 8.9 inches
- 2W needle-wheel pump
- USB power connection
- built-in silencer and bubble diffuser
- Low power draw and compact depth suit a small all-in-one
- Silencer and diffuser address common nano-skimmer annoyances
- Its stated length exceeds the 2.5-inch chamber dimension, so fit depends on orientation and bracket clearance
Reef Glass Nano Protein Skimmer
An air-driven glass skimmer used by NUVO 20 owners as a replacement for the original rear-chamber unit; it separates the bubble-making hardware from the glass reaction tube.
- air-driven operation
- glass reaction tube
- external collection-container arrangement
- minimal in-tank footprint
- Very small in-tank footprint for a constrained AIO chamber
- Air-driven layout offers a different maintenance path from pump skimmers
- Requires airline routing and a suitable air pump; the external collection arrangement needs protected placement
AquaMaxx Bullet-2 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer
A hang-on-back alternative used on a NUVO 20 when the owner prefers not to consume the narrow rear skimmer compartment.
- hang-on-back installation
- separate from rear chamber
- Sicce SHARK needle-wheel pump
- external collection cup
- Leaves the AIO chambers available for media and heater placement
- Avoids relying on the 3.75 × 2.5 inch chamber footprint
- Requires clearance behind the aquarium and changes the tank’s exterior profile
AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Protein Skimmer
A hang-on-back alternative documented on NUVO 20 builds, with its own 7.5 × 3.5-inch body, Sicce-derived pump and cup clearance rather than a claim on the narrow internal chamber.
- hang-on-back installation
- 7.5 × 3.5 × 17 inches
- 11W pump
- approximately 4-inch cup-removal clearance
- Keeps the rear filtration chambers open
- Published external dimensions make cabinet and wall clearance easy to plan
- Rated far beyond a 20-gallon tank and needs substantial clearance behind and above the aquarium
Tunze Comline DOC Skimmer 9001 — near-miss
A real compact in-tank skimmer, but it is a labelled near-miss for the NUVO 20: retailer fit guidance says it will not fit the rear chamber.
- in-tank or sump installation
- air-water reaction chamber
- collection cup
- manufacturer service parts
- Useful reference point for comparing a larger internal nano skimmer
- Established service-parts ecosystem
- Not a NUVO 20 rear-chamber fit; do not buy it for that space
Reef Octopus NS-80 Nano Protein Skimmer — near-miss
A real nano skimmer often suggested for 20-gallon reefs, but NUVO 20 owners report that its pump can end up above the usable water level in the rear compartment.
- nano in-sump design
- pump-driven foam production
- collection cup
- compact body
- A legitimate skimmer for an appropriately sized sump
- Shows why water depth matters as much as footprint
- Not a dependable drop-in NUVO 20 rear-chamber choice
Buying tips
- Measure the inside width, depth, operating water height and clearance above the cup on your exact NUVO before treating a product listing as confirmation.
- A skimmer needs a stable water level in its chamber; evaporation management and regular cup cleaning matter as much as the advertised tank rating.
- If the rear compartment is too constrained, a properly supported hang-on-back model is a different installation class, not a failed chamber fit.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.