FINALLY BITE THE BULLET....AND BOUGHT A NEW ITEM....
- Thread starter OldReefGuy
- Start date
I know there are a few resources available and lots of people willing to help when you ask. I typically ask what is working for others first. And poke around before I buy. At the end I have got great deals for stuff that I learn later was not the best. Sure there is always a bit of bias, but asking around beats guessing. In more than 20 years reefing I’ve learned a little. I stop and ask myself Is it proven technology to satisfaction( performance, noise, safety, ease of use, customer service etc. Or Is it a just a “good” deal? Not that what you bought is not good, asking feels better before you commit.
QUICK REVIEW
if any is interested): FULL DISCLOSURE: This was a new, but damaged box (Open Box Item).
IceCap K3 250 HOB Protein Skimmer
Material:
Good quality acrylic and thin wall plastics used. Felt like a $300 skimmer.
Build Quality:
Well made but there were some issues, mostly visual, which didn’t impact usage….(i.e. Pump Motor had scratches and black paint smudges), not sure from where, as the plastics are mostly all white.(Maybe the glue???)
Instructions/Owners Manual/Company Propoganda:
Non included. (At least not in my case). Manual is on-line via CoralVue website, (https://www.coralvue.com/blog/icecap-k3-200-250-HOB-skimmer-instructionsOn-Line ) Manual is also vague and only contains basic installation. Took me 15 minutes to assemble, but took me an hour to figure out the hose’s for collection plate outlet hose.
Installation:
This is HOB over 5/8” Glass. The Intake screen will not allow for HOB use as there is not enough space between the intake screen, inner tank glass wall and skimmer body. The intake screen touches the tank wall. It would work ok on glass thinner then 5/8ths. So in my case, I did not use Intake screen.
Usage:
Priming was easy, like any other HOB skimmer, close air input until the inlet water syphons and then open air. No gurgling/odd noise's.
Pump & Controller:
At settings from 1~6, the pump only filled the body halfway. I had to set it at 10 (max) in order to get water level up to the top of the collection cup. At level 8, it was at bottom of collection cup.
Pump Noise Level: 5/10. Not as quiet as the CoralVue Marketing would have you believe. This is the primary reason I bought the skimmer.
Air Silencer: 10/10. You need to be within 12” in order to hear it.
Collection Cup: Well made and larger then I expected. Has out at the bottom for overflow
Break-In period:
I did not have the opportunity to do this as the skimmer is getting returned.
The skimmer was leaking at: motor mount connection to venturi port (all the time) and venturi air hose connection (only when skimmer was off).
Customer Service/Support: TBD. Lets see what they say regarding my return request.
Takeaway: Would I buy again: No. Not because of the leaking issue, but the noise level on pump and pump is underpowered. I expected a lot quieter from DC versus Magnetic AC.
if any is interested): FULL DISCLOSURE: This was a new, but damaged box (Open Box Item).IceCap K3 250 HOB Protein Skimmer
Material:
Good quality acrylic and thin wall plastics used. Felt like a $300 skimmer.
Build Quality:
Well made but there were some issues, mostly visual, which didn’t impact usage….(i.e. Pump Motor had scratches and black paint smudges), not sure from where, as the plastics are mostly all white.(Maybe the glue???)
Instructions/Owners Manual/Company Propoganda:
Non included. (At least not in my case). Manual is on-line via CoralVue website, (https://www.coralvue.com/blog/icecap-k3-200-250-HOB-skimmer-instructionsOn-Line ) Manual is also vague and only contains basic installation. Took me 15 minutes to assemble, but took me an hour to figure out the hose’s for collection plate outlet hose.
Installation:
This is HOB over 5/8” Glass. The Intake screen will not allow for HOB use as there is not enough space between the intake screen, inner tank glass wall and skimmer body. The intake screen touches the tank wall. It would work ok on glass thinner then 5/8ths. So in my case, I did not use Intake screen.
Usage:
Priming was easy, like any other HOB skimmer, close air input until the inlet water syphons and then open air. No gurgling/odd noise's.
Pump & Controller:
At settings from 1~6, the pump only filled the body halfway. I had to set it at 10 (max) in order to get water level up to the top of the collection cup. At level 8, it was at bottom of collection cup.
Pump Noise Level: 5/10. Not as quiet as the CoralVue Marketing would have you believe. This is the primary reason I bought the skimmer.
Air Silencer: 10/10. You need to be within 12” in order to hear it.
Collection Cup: Well made and larger then I expected. Has out at the bottom for overflow
Break-In period:
I did not have the opportunity to do this as the skimmer is getting returned.
The skimmer was leaking at: motor mount connection to venturi port (all the time) and venturi air hose connection (only when skimmer was off).
Customer Service/Support: TBD. Lets see what they say regarding my return request.
Takeaway: Would I buy again: No. Not because of the leaking issue, but the noise level on pump and pump is underpowered. I expected a lot quieter from DC versus Magnetic AC.
