IceCap K3-130INT In-Sump Protein Skimmer

The IceCap K3-130INT is a compact in-sump protein skimmer built around a quiet, sippy 10-watt DC pinwheel pump, sized for reef tanks up to about 130 gallons. It pulls dissolved organics out of the water before they break down into nitrate and phosphate, which means cleaner water, happier corals, and fewer nuisance algae headaches. Pair it with the rest of our saltwater gear and livestock.

Features

• DCAIR-1.0 DC pinwheel pump: draws 500 lph of air while moving 158.5 gph of water, with an electronic controller so you can dial foam production up or down from the included control pad.
• Low power draw: just 10 watts, a fraction of what comparable AC skimmer pumps burn.
• Compact footprint: 7.3 x 5.6 inches fits tight sump chambers, with a 5 inch body and 19.25 inch total height.
• Removable collection cup: lifts off for a quick rinse, no tools needed.
• Quiet operation: the DC pump runs smooth and near silent compared to old-style AC needle-wheel skimmers.

Specifications

Recommended Pairings

• A kit from our water testing collection to watch nitrate and phosphate fall once the skimmer settles in.
• Water care and maintenance supplies and salt mixes for your water change routine.
• Something to protect: browse our corals and saltwater livestock.

FAQ

What size tank is this skimmer for?
IceCap rates the K3-130 for tanks up to about 130 gallons. For a heavily stocked system, treat that as a ceiling; for a light bioload it has plenty of headroom.

How deep should the water in my sump be?
The K3-130INT is designed for 6 to 9 inches of sump water. Outside that range the foam head gets hard to tune, so check your sump before you buy.

Why does it pull almost nothing the first week?
That is normal. New skimmers need a break-in period of one to two weeks while manufacturing residue wears off the body and pump. Production ramps up on its own.

Wet skim or dry skim?
Start in the middle. Raise the water level in the body (wetter) to export more, or lower it (drier) for darker, more concentrated skimmate. The DC controller and the included adjustment make tuning easy.