IceCap K1-100 Protein Skimmer
SKU: IC-K1-100
MSRP: $ 155,91
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Space-Optimized Internal Design: Space-saving layout mounts the pump entirely inside the skimmer chamber, fitting easily into tight nano or mid-sized reef sump compartments.
- Refined "Beer Bottle" Body Contour: Distinctive curving body architecture reduces internal turbulence, naturally stabilizing the foam neck transition for consistent skim-mate output.
- Quiet EVair 400 Pinwheel Pump: Equipped with a heavy-duty, energy-efficient 8W needlewheel pump that draws a high-volume 400 liters per hour (400LPH) of air.
- Novel Pipeless Output Gate Valve: Saves critical horizontal space while providing highly sensitive, splash-free underwater discharge control for worry-free operation.
- Low-Profile Bubble Dispersant Plate: Positioned at the absolute base of the chamber to extend air-to-water contact time while eliminating micro-bubbles from escaping into the sump.
- Fully Strippable Modular Breakdown: Every individual structural piece disassembles completely with minimal effort, allowing for straightforward routine deep-cleaning cycles.
IceCap
Premium aquarium equipment without the premium price. Protein skimmers, pumps, reactors, heaters & more.
IceCap K1-100 Compact In-Sump Protein Skimmer
The IceCap K1-100 Protein Skimmer (SKU: IC-K1-100) is an authentic, master-crafted marine filtration assembly distributed by CoralVue to deliver commercial-grade protein skimming into highly confined under-cabinet sump filtration arrays. Mechanical filtration, like filter socks or fleece rollers can only catch solid organic particles, leaving dissolved proteins from fish waste and uneaten foods to accumulate and break down into harmful nitrate and phosphate over time. The K1-100 serves as your primary water purification system, utilizing an intensive air-induction mechanism to physically bind, trap, and extract these dissolved organic compounds out of your marine ecosystem entirely before they can trigger invasive nuisance algae outbreaks or stress delicate stony corals.
Constructed entirely from heavy-wall cell-cast acrylic and robust marine-grade PVC, the K1-100 stands up to years of continuous high-salinity exposure. At its operational core is the efficient IceCap EVair 400 Pinwheel Pump. This low-voltage driver draws air through a specialized silencer and shatters it against an optimized needlewheel impeller, creating a dense cloud of micro-bubbles. To combat the footprint issues common with standard external-pump skimmers, IceCap integrates the pump cleanly inside the 4-inch reaction chamber. Backed by a pipeless horizontal gate valve design, this skimmer provides splash-free discharge below your operating water line, keeping under-cabinet hardware dry and silent.
Key Features:
Maximizes Organic Waste Extraction: Pulls dark, concentrated organic waste out of the water column, instantly lowering biological oxygen demand and raising aquarium redox levels.
Ultra-Sensitive Pipeless Tuning: Horizontal control dial offers incremental gate height adjustments, allowing you to seamlessly dial in a dry or wet foam level.
Reef-Safe Structural Materials: Built with entirely non-conductive, corrosion-proof components to ensure zero chemical leaching inside sensitive marine reef environments.
Note: This retail box includes (1) K1-100 skimmer body, (1) collection cup with lid, (1) integrated EVair 400 pump, an inline air silencer, and a flexible collection cup drain tube. Automated waste collectors and skimmer stands are sold under separate product categories.
IceCap K1 Series Bioload Sizing Profiles:
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap K1-100 Contoured Acrylic Skimmer Body
(1) High-Capacity Collection Cup with 8mm Drain Fitting
(1) IceCap EVair 400 Internal Pinwheel Skimmer Pump
(1) Integrated Air Silencer Bracket with Flexible Vinyl Airline
(1) Clear Flexible Skimmer Cup Drain Hose (8mm ID / 12mm OD)
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap K1-100 Protein Skimmer
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-K1-100
Primary Sump Application: In-Sump Marine Submersion Only
Reaction Chamber Body Diameter: 4.0 Inches
Total Base Footprint Dimensions: 4.5" x 7.5"
Total Operational Height: 19.0 Inches
Skimmer Pump Model Type: EVair 400 Needlewheel Motor
Maximum Motor Power Consumption: 8 Watts
Volumetric Air Induction Draw: 400 Liters Per Hour (14 SCFH)
Approximate Water Operational Draw: ~100 Gallons Per Hour
Recommended Sump Submersion Water Height: 6.0 to 8.0 Inches
Official Manufacturer Warranty Support: 3-Year Pump Body / 1-Year Core Components Coverage
Warranty
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantees this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 1 Year
Warranty is activated on the date of purchase.
This Standard Limited Warranty applies and is limited as follows:
- To the product only as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser.
- To the product that has not been subject to accident, misuse or abuse.
- To the product that has not been modified, altered, defaced, or had repairs made or attempted by other than CoralVue, Inc.
- That CoralVue be immediately notified in writing within ten (10) days of first knowledge of defect by owner or his agent.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given first opportunity to make any repairs, replacements or corrections to the defective construction within a reasonable period of time.
- Under no circumstances shall CoralVue and/or the Manufacturer be liable by virtue of this warranty or otherwise for damage to any person or property whatsoever for any special, indirect, secondary or consequential damages of any nature however arising out of the use or inability to use because of the product defect.
- Unbox the skimmer and verify all parts. Twist off the collection cup and inspect the internal pump bracket connection block to confirm it sits squarely and didn't shift during transport.
- Place the skimmer vertically inside your filter sump's skimming compartment. Adjust your sump baffles or utilize a dedicated skimmer stand until your operating water level sits securely between 6 to 8 inches.
- Direct the air intake silencer tube high above your high water baseline, ensuring the airline loop remains straight and free of restrictive kinking.
- Open the pipeless water adjustment output valve completely by turning the top oversized adjustment dial counter-clockwise before plugging the unit into a wall outlet.
- Plug the EVair 400 power adapter into a certified, GFCI-protected outlet. Note: Expect a 3 to 7 day "break-in" period where manufacturing oils cause over-foaming. Keep the gate fully open during this break-in baseline phase.
- Once the skimmer has fully settled, rotate the top adjustment dial clockwise in small increments to narrow the water discharge gate. This will raise the bubble line up into the collection neck until a dark foam naturally begins to form.
Pro Tips:
- Do Not Adjust Your Gate Valve Rapidly; Wait 15 Minutes Between Micro-Turns. The fluid dynamics inside a contoured reaction chamber are highly precise. When adjustments are needed to modify your bubble line, make micro-turns of only a few millimeters along the dial circumference at a time. After a turn, wait at least 15 minutes for the internal air-to-water boundary layer to fully stabilize. Twisting the dial rapidly back and forth will cause the skimmer chamber to destabilize, leading to unexpected collection cup overflows or poor skimming results.
- Perform a Quick Airline Verification Check If Foam Production Suddenly Halts. If your skimmer pump continues to run smoothly but air bubble production drops or stops entirely, do not twist your gate valve tight. Remove the vinyl airline entirely from the pump venturi nozzle and check for blockages. Salt water splash can cause crystallized salt creep or calcium carbonate deposits to collect directly inside the air nozzle. Clear the path by flushing the warm airline thoroughly with fresh RO/DI water to dissolve the restriction.
- Wipe the Interior Collection Neck Weekly to Prevent Foam Head Destabilization. As the skimmer pushes concentrated organic sludges upward, a thick layer of sticky grease and biological fats will accumulate directly along the interior walls of the collection neck. If left uncleaned, this slime layer acts as a mechanical barrier that prematurely bursts ascending bubbles before they can spill over into the collection well, reducing efficiency by over 50%. Take 60 seconds once a week to remove the cup and wipe the interior neck completely clean with a soft sponge and warm fresh water.