IceCap K1 Neo Protein Skimmer
SKU: IC-K1-NEO
MSRP: $ 69.29
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Pico-Scale Space Optimization: Master-crafted with an incredibly tiny 2.6" x 2" footprint designed explicitly to fit inside tight micro-AIO rear filtration tracks.
- Direct Rim-Clamping Mount: Built-in mounting bracket hangs directly over the aquarium or baffle rim, locking into place with an adjustable, marine-safe thumbscrew.
- Efficient DCair 200 Pinwheel Pump: Core features a low-voltage, 5W DC needlewheel pump that draws 100 liters per hour (100LPH) of air for consistent foam fractionation.
- Space-Saving Pipeless Output: Features an internal control gate that routes outgoing water directly below the surface for quiet, splash-free sump circulation.
- Rugged Cell-Cast Construction: Built from robust high-quality acrylic and solid PVC to ensure total corrosion resistance in high-salinity marine environments.
- Completely Tool-Free Teardown: Every modular piece separates effortlessly for routine, hassle-free pump clearouts and internal acrylic maintenance wipes.
IceCap
Premium aquarium equipment without the premium price. Protein skimmers, pumps, reactors, heaters & more.
IceCap K1 NEO Pico In-Sump Protein Skimmer (IC-K1-NEO)
The IceCap K1 NEO Protein Skimmer (SKU: IC-K1-NEO) is an authentic, ultra-compact chemical filtration assembly distributed by CoralVue to bring advanced foam fractionation to micro-marine reef systems and desktop All-In-One (AIO) aquariums from 5 to 15 gallons. Traditional skimmer designs are far too bulky to sit inside small desktop tanks, forcing pico reef keepers to rely entirely on large water changes to offset nutrients. The K1 NEO changes this dynamic entirely, condensing high-efficiency dissolved organic extraction into a slender, space-saving profile. It actively captures and isolates fish waste, uneaten foods, and organic proteins from the water column before they can break down into harmful nitrates and phosphates.
Constructed from heavy-wall cell-cast acrylic and industrial-grade PVC, the K1 NEO features a tiny 1.98-inch body diameter that lets it drop directly into standard rear overflow channels. At its heart is the low-voltage IceCap DCair 200 Pinwheel Pump. This energy-efficient 5-watt driver draws air through an integrated silencing assembly and shears it against a mini needlewheel impeller, filling the reaction tube with a concentrated column of micro-bubbles. To protect narrow rear chambers from noise and salt spray, the K1 NEO utilizes a clever pipeless output gate that channels outgoing water back into your system smoothly below the operational waterline.
Key Features
Tailored for Micro Ecosystems: Keeps water chemistry stable in sensitive small-volume systems by skimming away heavy organic compounds before they fuel algae blooms.
Hassle-Free Rim Clamping: Eliminates slipping suction cups or heavy external magnet blocks, hanging directly over internal chamber dividers with a heavy-duty acrylic thumbscrew.
Whisper-Quiet Operation Profile: The combination of an insulated air-intake muffler and a sub-surface exit track allows the skimmer to run quietly in office or bedroom spaces.
(Note: This retail box includes (1) K1 NEO skimmer body, (1) clear collection cup with lid, (1) DCair 200 pinwheel pump, a modular air silencer, and an integrated rim-mounting clamp).
IceCap K1 Pico & Nano Series Sizing Profiles
| Skimmer Model | SKU Reference | Heavy Bioload Limit | Medium Bioload Limit | Light Bioload Limit | Body Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IceCap K1 NEO | IC-K1-NEO | 5 Gallons | 10 Gallons | 15 Gallons | 1.98 Inches |
| IceCap K1 Nano | IC-K1-NANO | 10 Gallons | 20 Gallons | 30 Gallons | 2.75 Inches |
| IceCap K1-50 | IC-K1-50 | 40 Gallons | 60 Gallons | 80 Gallons |
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap K1 NEO Cylindrical Acrylic Skimmer Body
(1) Integrated Rim-Mounting Clamp with Acrylic Thumbscrew
(1) Compact Removable Collection Cup with Sealing O-Ring
(1) IceCap DCair 200 Low-Voltage DC Pinwheel Pump
(1) Air Intake Silencer Unit with Flexible Vinly Airline
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap K1 NEO Protein Skimmer
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-K1-NEO
Primary System Application: Internal Submersion Only (AIO Chambers / Nano Sumps)
Reaction Chamber Body Diameter: 1.98 Inches
Total Base Footprint Dimensions: 2.6" x 2.0"
Total Operational Height: 9.8 Inches
Skimmer Pump Model Type: DCair 200 Needlewheel Motor
Maximum Motor Power Consumption: 5 Watts
Volumetric Air Induction Draw: 100 Liters Per Hour (3.5 SCFH)
Volumetric Water Flow Output: 26 Gallons Per Hour
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 your K1 NEO and confirm all parts are present. Slide the collection cup off the acrylic body neck and check that the internal pump housing sits seated securely at the base.
- Drop the skimmer vertically into the rear filtration overflow or chosen baffled compartment of your All-In-One aquarium.
- Adjust the height of the body until the lower section sits submerged in your operational water column. Hang the bracket over the dividing wall rim and hand-tighten the plastic thumbscrew clockwise to lock it in place.
- Route the clear vinyl airline straight up to the air intake silencer assembly, ensuring the line has a clean path with no crimps or restrictive kinks.
- Turn the integrated pipeless output gate adjustment dial counter-clockwise to open the discharge port completely before applying electrical power.
- Plug the DCair 200 power supply into a certified, GFCI-protected outlet. Crucial: Allow the skimmer to run completely wide open for a 2-week break-in window to shed manufacturing lubricants before attempting to fine-tune the bubble height.
Pro TIps:
- Give the Skimmer At Least 14 Full Days to Break In Before Tuning. Pico-scale protein skimmers are incredibly sensitive to residual manufacturing oils and raw plastic surface tension. When you first plug in the K1 NEO, it may over-foam aggressively or produce erratic bubble surges. Do not try to counteract this by adjusting the valve every few hours. Keep the pipeless output gate turned wide open and let the unit run uninterrupted for up to two full weeks. Once the plastic breaks in, the bubble foam column will settle down completely.
- Clear the Air Venturi Nipple Weekly to Prevent Sudden Cup Overflows. When air bubble production suddenly drops, many hobbyists mistake it for a water level shift and close the gate valve to raise the water level. This is a mistake. In small AIO tracks, evaporating salt spray can deposit a hard crust of crystallized salt right inside the pump's tiny intake venturi nozzle. This blocks incoming air, causing the water level inside the skimmer to skyrocket and flood the cup. Always check and clear the air nozzle with a quick splash of warm RO/DI water first.
- Wash the O-Ring and Neck Weekly to Preserve Consistent Foam Fractionation. As organic sludges climb into the collection neck, they deposit a sticky ring of grease and biological fats along the interior walls. This buildup acts as a physical barrier that prematurely pops rising micro-bubbles before they can cascade over into the collection cup, slashing performance by half. Take one minute during your weekly maintenance routine to slide the cup off, rinse the neck clean with warm fresh water, and wipe down the rubber sealing O-ring.