Recommendation for a quiet skimmer

sleepydoc

sleepydoc

Team RC
I'm looking to replace my Reef Octopus XS200 skimmer with something quieter. It's for a moderately stocked 120; below are the skimmers I'm considering:

IceCap K2-160
Nyos Quantum 160
Reef Octopus Elite Super cone 150
Reef Octopus Regal 150SSS
Vertex Omega 150

I thought about an Aquamaxx ConeS Q2 or CO2, but they use a customized Sicce pump and have had problems with their impellers, so I thought I'd steer clear of them. I'm currently leaning towards the IceCap - it's pretty new, but the reviews I've seen say it works well and is well built. What do others think?
 
I can't speak for the sk600, but the sk200 pump I have in my skimmer is virtually silent. I'd go with the Ice Cap or something with a DC pump should be quiet as well.
 
I just upgraded to a 240 that is currently cycling and I brought the Simplicity skimmer. IMO, very quiet compared to my Aquamaxx.
 
Following-
Im also looking at the IceCap k2-160 for my 150g fowlr. Looks like a hell of a skimmer for the money and so far, those that have them only have good things to say.


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I looked at the Nyos but kept reading complaints about the skimmer cup getting stuck so I ended up going with the Simplicity 540DC. It's almost silent.
 
Sorry

I have the Vertex Omega 150 and my wife complains about the noise. LOL

The skimmer pulls a lot of air, I will try to find the foam insert and see if that helps with the noise.


If you were local I would let you try it out.
 
The reef octopus regals with dc pumps are so quiet I have to watch the bubbles start to make sure it's on. Have a regal 250 on a friends tank I help maintain
 
I have an older vertex alpha with one of the red dragon pumps and it is about as silent as I can imagine a skimmer could be (I have to really listen for it and I can barely hear it only when I have my stand open). Little higher than your price range new but I found mine used for around $200.

Also some people find them finicky, however once I got it dialed in, I have not had to touch it and it fills up the skimmer cup with dark smelly sludge once a week on a lightly stocked system with around 150 gallons. Honestly I have no idea how it continues to pull so much crap out of the water. Vertex now has a customer for life!
 
Jebao d700, silent, great build quality, most other DC pump skimmers use the same pump, they just charge more for rebranded jebao.


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Looks some at Tunze but I didn't like the setup they used for an external collection cup and I had a hard time finding much information on them.

The Nyos and Reef Octopus Elite/Regal skimmers all look good, too. I'm kinda biased towards an A/C Pump, just to avoid having another controller. I have a Skimmer SOS 'controller' for my current skimmer that makes it easy to pause the skimmer for feeding, cleaning, etc, so the feed pause feature isn't that big of a deal for me.

How big is the power supply/controller for the pump in the Reef Octopous/Nyos skimmers? The power supply brick for my Waveline DC 10,000 pump is. Pretty hefty and takes up a lot of space on my cabinet wall - realestate to hang things is getting tight!
 
I bought a Ice Cap 160, exactly two weeks ago. I'm Very happy with it. It's still breaking in. However it's producing skimate already. The skimmer is very quiet, I have to open the cabinet doors to hear it. Even then it's just a low hum. Yes it's a bit early to say it's great. However I'm glad I bought it. I will not say that it's good for the money. It's just a good skimmer. It's well built. You will need to look at a YouTube video for assembley,at least I did. It was easy and the skimmer is well built.
 
Ok - I pulled the trigger and ordered an Ice Cap 160 from Marine Depot. I'll post back after it comes and share my experience with it. Thanks for everyone's input!
 
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