Can't Decide on a Skimmer

[bo0sted2g]

I have a 28 gallon tank with a 10 gallon sump.
The maximum width of a skimmer that i can fit is 7"

Skimmers currently on my Radar are:

IceCap K2-50 - $130
rated up to 40 Gal heavily stocked

SCA-301 - $90
Rated for 65 gal

Simplicity DC120 $200
Rated to 60 Gal heavily stocked


I have been doing a lot of research into these 3 skimmers and can't decide on which one to get... There are a couple of videos and pictures of these skimmers in action but very few.

I have browsed through the huge thread on these skimmers and it seems like many people are pretty happy with the SCA skimmers, but there seems to be more info on the 302 rather than the 301. My concerns are long term reliability and seems to good to be true for under $100.

For a little bit more money I could go with the IceCap K2-50 which looks a little bit better made than the SCA but unfortunately the K2-50 is the only model from IceCap that doesn't use a Sicce pump. Same problem as the SCA there is more information and reviews on the next model up but its hard to compare the K2-120 to the K2-50 because they use completely different pumps. If the K2-50 came with a sicce pump it would be the easy choice hands down. I did however see 2 people running one of these over on NR and they were pulling some thick dark nasty skimmate. Considering how fast these were flying off the shelves when they first came out I would think there would be more reviews on this little guy.

The most expensive option is the Simplicity DC120, This has flat out the least reviews, and pictures of operation POST BREAK IN. found a bunch of brand new unboxing videos and first start ups but less than one of the skimmer actually doing any work. I don't mind spending the extra $70 on a quality product if i had no doubt it would out perform and outlast the IceCap.
But i have seen one person already stating that his pump has kicked the bucket at the 5 Month mark.... Their website says it comes with a 1 year warranty on the pump so he should be able to get a replacement at no cost.
have also seen claims that these use rebranded Jebao pumps but have not seen any confirmation on that or not.


So my questions for you guys here at RC are....

Which one of these skimmers would you say comes with the better Pump?

Any first hand experiences with any of these models? Specifically the small model not the bigger slightly different older brother to these? (browsing the nano forums seems that most people with my size tank are running skimmers that fit in the AIO chambers rather than Small in sump skimmers.)

Thanks in advance for any insight you may be able to offer

 

[RobZilla04]

I have the SCA 301 and that handles my 55 plus sump volume perfectly. Ill use the same once I upgrade to 90 DT.

Just be sure that in your sump you have enough volume to set the water level at the recommended height for the skimmer.

 

[scooter31707]

I have a Simplicity and OMG. This is one of the best skimmers I have had so far. They are very durable, powerful, and very quiet. Also very easy to adjust or shutdown to feed or do maintenance.

 

[bo0sted2g]

Just be sure that in your sump you have enough volume to set the water level at the recommended height for the skimmer.

The section I have for the skimmer is 8in deep so it should be right around where everyone seems to find success.






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[zooman72]

I don't think any of them has a "great" pump - at least not one that has proven to be great over a period of time. They will all work, but let's go through some of the pros and cons of each real quick:

1. K2-50: Pros - size, maintenance ease (assembly/ dissembly), distributor support; Cons - unproven pump, poor intake silencer placement, smaller collection cup

2. SCA-301: Pros - costs; Cons - maintenance difficulty (does not completely dissemble), same poor air intake placement (have to unscrew it from top of collection cup to clean cup lid), pump is relatively loud

3. DC-120: Pros - collection cup easy to remove; Cons - rebranded (from Skimz) Jebao pump with questionable impeller (according to Skimz users)


If I had to choose from just the three noted, it would be the IceCap model. It is too bad you are so limited in footprint, but should work fine. Others that I would consider are the Bubble Magus Curve 5 (might be just a hair too big for you, but good skimmer - I use 3 of them since they first came out w/no issues), the Eshopps S-120 (pricier, but with Sicce pump - I use one, and it is very nice, and would fit in your space) or the Somatic 60S (even bigger footprint, but also with a Sicce pump).

 

[justindinh24]

SCA 301 is good choice for your tank. Saving money for live stock

 

[bo0sted2g]

Thanks for all the input! I just also came across the ASM Mini-G that would fit in my sump, and utilizes a SICCE PUMP! It is also almost the same price... so what do you guys think about the ASM Mini-G?
Better choice over the IceCap?


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[zooman72]

Well, there are quite a bit of reviews out there for the Mini-G, especially since it has been around for quite a while. Personally, they are not my favorite, even with the Sicce pump upgrade a few years back - feel rather "cheaply made" (acrylic is thinner maybe), air intake is quite noisy (although one can retrofit a silencer on to them), and I dislike the vertical discharge pipe (a bit more difficult to adjust, can splash a tiny bit). It will skim well enough, but for just a bit more $$$ one can get a much better skimmer IMO...

 

[Potatohead]

I would probably go for the IceCap out of those... however if you want an affordable skimmer with the Sicce, looks at an Eshopps PSK-75.