Looking to change out my SCA-301 protein skimmer on my 45 gallon reef. Not loving this skimmer, performance is ok and its LOUD. Looking for replacement suggestions. The tank will be heavily stocked with SPS. Only major drawback is my sump, need something less the 6" wide. I looked at NYOS and RLSS skimmers, not sure if there is something better out there. All suggestion appreciated!
Best Skimmer for Small Footprint
- Thread starter jayare
- Start date
Potatohead
New member
Both of those are quite good. Also take a look at IceCap K2-120 and Eshopps S-120 (4th gen) they both use perhaps the best AC pump on the market.
Saltysupply does have the R5i on for half price which is a pretty insane deal, although I did pass up on it for the Eshopps.
Saltysupply does have the R5i on for half price which is a pretty insane deal, although I did pass up on it for the Eshopps.
zachfishman
Active member
Curious, my SCA-301 is not loud at all. I wonder if something has come loose or if you're missing any rubber feet off the pump bottom?
FYI, the performance of my SCA-301 and 302 can drop within days due to salt buildup in the venturi intake. I solved this by turning it off for 10 minutes each day via a controller. Keeps the venturi intake clear and the skimmer working consistently.
FYI, the performance of my SCA-301 and 302 can drop within days due to salt buildup in the venturi intake. I solved this by turning it off for 10 minutes each day via a controller. Keeps the venturi intake clear and the skimmer working consistently.
Yep; you will have to decide if the $90 difference is worth it for you. I guess two of the major differences are the twist off body and the new eddy bubble plate.
I was looking at the ice cap too, but noticed the body on the eshopps is almost an inch bigger. Also, the white pump is pretty cool...lol.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one in the eshopps line. I'm sure someone else can speak into the s-120 performance.
Potatohead
New member
That's why I ultimately went with the Eshopps over the K2-120 also, the IceCap looks really nice, but the body is really quite small for its rating, which probably doesn't matter but I figured a larger body with basically the same footprint wasn't a bad thing. I chose the S-120 over the X-120 basically simply because I want to see that cool spinning bubble display going on in my sump, lol.
notenoughtanks
Member
Went with a Deltec SCA1351 for the same size tank. Very quiet and small footprint. Too new however to give a judgement on production. Went with this over the K2-120 as it uses 9 watts vs 40 on the Icecap.
Potatohead
New member
I noticed this also, but it's unfortunately wrong info. That rating is for the standard impeller, the needle wheel uses much less power.
However with that said, the Deltec I'm sure will be awesome.
notenoughtanks
Member
I thought that too but ppl have said 40-45 on Apex/killawatt. Would love to hear more input on actual numbers.
If jayare is dealing with less than 6 inches wide, then the 110sss won't work. And I would be real hesitant of trying the Nyos at 5.9 inches.
My sump (wondering if maybe jayare has same setup) is made by sca and it would be hard to stuff anything more than 5.8 in there. And if it is that sump, then nyos is also out because of the 7.5 inch water depth of sump. That sump really limits what can be done. This is all based on a first chamber application.
Potatohead
New member
Which sump do you have? I have the 66g one, I took out the first baffle between the media area and skimmer, and I removed the first baffle from the refugium part and just siliconed it to the other one, 2" higher. This sets the water level at more like 8.5", I do agree it was way too low before.
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