Home
blog
IceCap Gyre 1K 101: Setup & Installation

IceCap Gyre 1K 101: Setup & Installation

Loading... 584 view(s)

The IceCap 1K is a great option for smaller aquariums that would benefit from the horizontal and vertical water movements only a cross flow pump can produce.

The Icecap 1K is a small, single mount magnet, supporting a very efficient motor consuming a mere 18 watts at 100% flow with a maximum flow of 1000 gallons per hour. A single 1K pump is suitable for tanks up to 50 gallons and multiple 1K pumps can easily handle larger systems.

For those really small aquariums or hard to get flow areas, this pump is capable of a more compact "single propeller" operation with the included side cap!

The normal Twin Propeller Dimensions of the 1k is 8.8 inches long while the single side propeller measures a merely 6.75 inches making it ideal for those Nano aquariums. If you wish to convert your twin propeller 1k to a single propeller pump you simply remove one of the two propeller cages and propeller assembly and insert the side cap over the exposed shaft.

Before we get started, let’s make sure that everything is included and nothing is missing from the box.

The box should include:

1K Pump

Power adapter

Controller unit with built-in mounting bracket

Protective sleeves

Spare set of propeller bushings

Single side cap

Instruction manual

Installing the 1K Pump

Installing the pump is fairly straightforward but we must carefully choose the location and orientation of the pump within our tank.

We can mount the gyre pump horizontally so water is pushed across or, we can choose to set the pump vertically on the rear glass and push water across the back.

Once we have selected the optimal spot, it is time to install the pump. First, ensure that the glass thickness is no more than ½ inch.

Then, using a simple razor, we must clean the selected area to remove any algae from the surface.

Separate the pump from its magnet bracket and install it in your desired location. These magnets are very strong so PLEASE be careful not to pinch your fingers or have the magnet slip out of your hands as it may damage the glass or acrylic.

Once installed, we may rotate the flow cages clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the water flow angle and take note to where the water is directed. When mounting the IceCap Gyre vertically, please be sure to rotate the cages so that the water intake is AWAY from the walls of the aquarium.

Once the pump has been installed, it is time to mount the controller. Choose a location that is away from heat, excessive humidity and NEVER mount the controller over open water.

Affix the rear-mounting frame to a flat surface such as the wall or outside your aquarium stand. Please, be sure that the cable reaches the pump and the cable connections have proper drip loops to prevent any components from getting wet.

Connect the cable from the controller to the Gyre and then, connect the cable from the power supply to the controller. Finally, connect to the power outlet and run the pump for the first time.