Ice Cap K2 Skimmers

[tlc]

I took the plunge and bought the k2-120. its only been set up for 24 hours. I do like to wet skim and it seems like I have to keep the gate practically closed in order for bubbles to reach the top of the neck. will having the gate practically closed decrease this skimmers performance ? seems like no exiting water would prevent proper circulation. the skimmer is sitting in 7 in of water

 

[SpeedKilz]

I took the plunge and bought the k2-120. its only been set up for 24 hours. I do like to wet skim and it seems like I have to keep the gate practically closed in order for bubbles to reach the top of the neck. will having the gate practically closed decrease this skimmers performance ? seems like no exiting water would prevent proper circulation. the skimmer is sitting in 7 in of water

Has anything changed since it has broken in or is that gate still almost closed?

 

[tlc]

speedkilz the gate valve is about 1/4 in open now but I did raise my skimmer water level to about 7.5 inches. the jury is still out on how well this skimmer is performing for me. I still think there is still some break in needed

 

[Mike de Leon]

Any updates on the skimmer, good or bad? Looking to get the k2 200 for a 120 sps tank. Is this overkill and compromise efficiency?

 

[Bluefish9]

Ice Cap K2 Skimmers

Mine sits in 8.5" of water and skims very well. I do have the gate valve closed a lot to (in-between the 60&80 mark) but that helps with microbubbles. I have the k2-160 on a 150g fowlr that is still only 2 months old so its barely stocked for whatever thats worth (pair of black clowns, foxface and longnose butterfly)


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[Mike de Leon]

Thanks. Nice clean sump! For now :0) haha

 

[Bluefish9]

Ice Cap K2 Skimmers

Thanks. Nice clean sump! For now :0) haha

Thanks. I actually bought a bucket mounted shop vac from Home Depot. It snaps right onto a 5g bucket and whenever I see any crap appearing in the sump, I just vacuum it out during the next water change. That thing makes life so much easier lol.


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[Potatohead]

Any updates on the skimmer, good or bad? Looking to get the k2 200 for a 120 sps tank. Is this overkill and compromise efficiency?

I would get the 160 unless you have a huge fish load

 

[Mike de Leon]

Thanks. I actually bought a bucket mounted shop vac from Home Depot. It snaps right onto a 5g bucket and whenever I see any crap appearing in the sump, I just vacuum it out during the next water change. That thing makes life so much easier lol.


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show us a pic!

 

[Bluefish9]

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[Potatohead]

Buckethead pics

What attachment are you using on the end of the hose?

I bought a 4g 3hp little ShopVac for this job, but it fills the bucket in literally like three or four seconds (lol). I am wondering if I use a smaller attachment on the end of the hose, like a crevice tool, if it will take longer.

 

[Mike de Leon]

I would get the 160 unless you have a huge fish load

It will be a medium fish load.

 

[Mike de Leon]

So i ordered the K200. See what happens!

 

[tlc]

honestly I pulled mine out. 2 months and minimal skimmate. I just couldn't get it tuned. the skimmer either didn't skim at all or it was very wet. I replaced it with a lifereef and oh my what a difference. my sump does fluctuate about 1/2 inch in water level. I think the k2 needs a very consistent sump level to perform right..

 

[moondoggy4]

I found that he wet dry vacs work better with the 7 gallon buckets. More volume does not shut off as fast.

 

[Potatohead]

honestly I pulled mine out. 2 months and minimal skimmate. I just couldn't get it tuned. the skimmer either didn't skim at all or it was very wet. I replaced it with a lifereef and oh my what a difference. my sump does fluctuate about 1/2 inch in water level. I think the k2 needs a very consistent sump level to perform right..

All needle wheel skimmers do. Installing a baffle is typically pretty simple and then the skimmer will perform properly. The water level in the skimmer is totally dependent on the water level outside.

 

[tlc]

potatohead i think the k2 is a very well built skimmer however, once i put the lifereef in there is no comparison. i pulled out more gunk in 2 days with the lifereef then i did in 2 months with the k2. maybe the unstable sump level was the problem with the k2. i bought the lifereef used over 15 years ago and its churning water like a champ

 

[mannyhernz]

potatohead i think the k2 is a very well built skimmer however, once i put the lifereef in there is no comparison. i pulled out more gunk in 2 days with the lifereef then i did in 2 months with the k2. maybe the unstable sump level was the problem with the k2. i bought the lifereef used over 15 years ago and its churning water like a champ

Was looking to purchase this 120 model. I have a stable level in my sump. Other than that, good buy?..

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[Kyl]

Was looking to purchase this 120 model. I have a stable level in my sump. Other than that, good buy?..

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I would buy mine again, but have no experience with other similarly sized skimmers to base an opinion against another with. It pulls dark skim, I empty it once per week when doing a WC and it's quiet.

Not much else to it, I think that's what everyone wants?

 

[mannyhernz]

I would buy mine again, but have no experience with other similarly sized skimmers to base an opinion against another with. It pulls dark skim, I empty it once per week when doing a WC and it's quiet.



Not much else to it, I think that's what everyone wants?

Yea, sounds like a good skimmer. What's your bio load like? How big of a tank can it handle under heavy bio load?


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