Ultra Reef Akula 190 is the 2025 evolution of the well-known Akula line: a skimmer that stays compact but raises the bar, now featuring a DC pump driven by a dedicated controller.
In this review we break down the technical updates, verify the manufacturer’s stated specs, and—most importantly—share our impressions after months of real-world use. What truly changes compared to the older AC-powered Akula models? Does electronic control make a real difference, or is it just marketing?
Quick overview: what’s new in the 2025 version
- DC pump (Sicce PSK DC) with electronic control and fine RPM adjustment;
- Smart controller: genuinely useful features in real tanks, such as slow, progressive restart after a power outage and an alarm/event log;
- Classic Ultra Reef approach: easier access and maintenance, removable parts, and faster cleaning;
- A stated focus on quiet operation and more precise control of skimming.
Technical specs (manufacturer data)
| Model | Ultra Reef Akula 190 (Skimmer 2025) |
| Installation | In-sump |
| Recommended water level | 22 cm (8.7″) |
| Supported volume | 300–900 L (80–240 US gal) |
| Optimal volume | 400–500 L (110–130 US gal) |
| Air draw | 300–1200 L/h |
| Power consumption | 16–35 W |
| Footprint | 21 × 27 cm |
| Height | 56 cm |
| Pump | Sicce PSK SDC 1000/1200+ |
| Power supply | DC24V – 110/220V 50/60Hz |
| MSRP | €740.00 (VAT included) |
Build quality and design
In person, the Akula 190 delivers the classic “Ultra Reef feel”: clean aesthetics, solid materials, and a heavy base that anchors the skimmer firmly in the sump while damping vibrations. The collection cup release system is also convenient and, overall, the impression is of a machine designed to last—meant to be used without constantly worrying about breaking something.
Disassembly and cleaning: the most “modern” part
One of the core goals of the 2025 project is quick disassembly: the pump is fully accessible and can be removed using a simple snap-fit system, with no screws required. The only screw present is the one that secures the impeller cover, which is visible in the previous photograph.
It’s fully aligned with the brand’s philosophy—components engineered to be separated and cleaned easily, dramatically reducing the hassle (and typical maintenance frustration) of routine skimmer upkeep.
Controller and operation: why it’s genuinely useful
After months of testing, the controller turned out to be one of the most tangible upgrades. It’s not a gimmick: the slow, progressive restart after a power outage prevents “explosive” restarts that can overflow the cup, helping stabilize skimming. The event history is also extremely helpful: you can immediately see if the pump ever stalled or ran dry while you were away from the tank.
One important practical note from our test: over roughly 4 months, the Sicce pump never once stopped due to dirt buildup or malfunctions. With a skimmer, that kind of real-world reliability is often worth more than a long list of promises.
In-sump installation and tuning: what we learned
This is where things get especially interesting, because the Akula 190 can change behavior significantly depending on the sump water depth and the pump operating range.
The key point: a “monster” pump on a compact body
During testing, one clear impression emerged: the pump is extremely powerful (perhaps too much) for the diameter of the reaction chamber and the neck height. With the manufacturer-recommended 22 cm sump depth (and even at 18 cm), we couldn’t push beyond 54% power. Above that threshold, the skimmer would inevitably overflow the cup, even with the water outlet fully open.
The issue is that at 54% the air intake looked visibly low relative to the skimmer’s potential. The solution? Raise the skimmer. By lowering the water depth around the skimmer to just 15 cm (using a sump riser/stand), we could push the pump up to 82%. The result: much drier, more stable, and denser foam.
Our final DaniReef test setup: 15 cm water depth, outlet fully open, air fully open, connected to a soda lime CO2 scrubber (a ReefTek 1-liter reactor) to stabilize pH. If you want to dig deeper into soda lime use, read here: Raising pH in a reef tank: the Aquatic Exclusive CO2 Scrubber.
Real-world performance: skimming and cup management
In a system with enough nutrient load to require weekly cup emptying, the Akula 190 proved highly effective at removal. Once dialed in (in our case at a 15 cm water depth), the foam was dry and “dense”, with good consistency over time.
A note about the lid: watch the vent holes
One practical detail we noticed involves the collection cup lid. It has three 75 mm holes which, in our testing, struggle to vent the huge air volume once the cup starts filling. When the liquid level exceeded about 1/3 of the cup, the outgoing air tended to carry foam toward the top holes. It’s something to keep an eye on if you’re used to cleaning your skimmer infrequently.
Measured power draw and behavior at different speeds
We measured real power consumption using professional instrumentation. One interesting point: the consumption curve isn’t linear—between 20% and 50% the wattage remains similar, while energy demand (and hydraulic power) ramps up sharply as you approach 82% and 100%.
| Speed | Watts (W) | Volts (V) | Amps (A) | Hz | Power Factor (cosφ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20% | Not recommended: unstable venturi or insufficient air | ||||
| 20% | 17.8 | 224.6 | 0.39 | 50 | 40% |
| 50% | 16.6 | 224.6 | 0.26 | 50 | 44% |
| 82% | 25.9 | 224.6 | 0.29 | 50 | 52% |
| 100% | 35.8 | 224.9 | 0.29 | 50 | 53% |
Noise level: dead quiet
On this point the verdict is simple: the Akula 190 is extremely quiet. Between the outlet silencer design and the quality of the DC pump, under normal operation it’s one of those pieces of equipment that simply “disappears” acoustically. If your tank is in the living room, this can matter as much as skimming performance itself.
Conclusions
The Ultra Reef Akula 190 is a successful, modern skimmer that’s enjoyable to run. The controller is a real value-add, noise levels are among the best in its class, and build quality is the solid Ultra Reef standard we’ve come to expect from Milan.
That said, you need to be aware that the pump is a “beast”: it offers huge headroom, but it requires careful attention to sump water depth. If you run it at 22 cm, you’ll need to throttle it back. If you want to run it close to its upper range, be prepared to raise it so it sits in around 15 cm of water. Of course, every system is different—so take these numbers cum grano salis.
- Who it’s for: Anyone looking for control, dead-quiet operation, and a well-stocked reef (SPS/fish) around 400–500 liters.
- Potential: On lighter-load systems (fish-only or softies), the available power can comfortably support tanks up to around 800 liters.
For more information about the new Ultra Reef Akula 190 and the Ultra Reef Skimmer 2025 lineup, visit the official website. If you’d like to explore how the Ultra Reef range has evolved, you can also check out our earlier reviews to see what has changed across generations.
- UltraReef Typhoon UKD 200 – review – a spectacular skimmer – 2020
- UltraReef Akula UKS-180 protein skimmer – Review – 2019
- Ultra Reef Akula UKS-180 protein skimmer – Review – 2013
What do you think about the Akula 190, its DC pump + controller approach, and its MSRP? Tell us in the comments or come chat with us on: Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. And if you need help or want to compare settings, we’ll see you on our forum.
Disclaimer: this review was produced with the collaboration of Andrea Frigerio, and the skimmer Akula 190 featured in this review was provided by Ultra Reef.
 tested: smart controller, DC pump, real power consumption, and ideal settings. Quiet and easy to clean){kind=link}