IceCap K3-250HOB Round Controllable Protein Skimmer
SKU: IC-K3-250HOB
MSRP: $ 381,14
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Controllable DCAIR 2.5 DC Pump: Low-voltage, 16W DC needlewheel pump features an external digital 10-speed controller keypad with an integrated 10-minute feed pause timer.
- Traditional 5-Inch Cylinder Body: Classic round reaction chamber design minimizes internal water turbulence, channeling bubbles smoothly to stabilize heavy foam accumulation.
- Zero-Display Equipment Clutter: Positions the entire skimmer column and reaction pump entirely behind the tank rim, preserving pristine viewing lines inside your aquarium.
- Externally Mounted Pump Layout: Attaching the pump underneath the external vessel prevents any electrical motor operating heat from directly warming your delicate livestock.
- Submerged Discharge Tuning Dial: Equipped with an internal control gate that vents exiting water smoothly below the surface for quiet, splash-free sump-less operation.
- Premium Acrylic Modular Build: Formed entirely from premium cell-cast acrylic and heavy PVC fittings that strip down completely without tools for hassle-free maintenance.
IceCap
Premium aquarium equipment without the premium price. Protein skimmers, pumps, reactors, heaters & more.
IceCap K3-250HOB Cylindrical Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer (IC-K3-250HOB)
The IceCap K3-250HOB Protein Skimmer (SKU: IC-K3-250HOB) is an authentic, high-efficiency external foam fractionator distributed by CoralVue to deliver advanced water purification to large sumpless marine reef aquariums and high-bioload fish displays up to 250 gallons. While standard mechanical filters can intercept floating solid debris, dissolved proteins from organic wastes and uneaten foods remain trapped in the liquid column. Left to decay, these compounds break down directly into harmful nitrates and phosphates. The K3-250HOB serves as your primary defense, utilizing high-velocity air integration within its classic round body to physically bind, float, and remove these dissolved organics from your aquarium entirely before they can trigger unwanted algae outbreaks.
The defining characteristic of the K3-250HOB is its traditional cylindrical body silhouette, highly preferred by reef hobbyists over flat rectangular HOB layouts. The 5-inch round reaction chamber naturally smooths out water movement, eliminating the chaotic corner shearing forces that can prematurely burst fine bubble heads. At its performance core is the efficient Controllable DCAIR 2.5 Pinwheel Pump. Unlike old-school AC pumps that run at a single loud speed, this DC driver allows you to throttle the motor velocity across 10 distinct power intervals via an external digital controller, giving you absolute authority over the air-to-water ratio inside the chamber. This high-performance motor pulls an impressive 900 liters per hour (900LPH) of air while sipping a mere 16 watts of power, draining water cleanly beneath the operating line to keep the system dead-silent.
Key Features
Active 10-Speed Flow Customization: Adjust pump power settings at the click of a button to quickly fine-tune your bubble height or stall the system for coral feeding windows.
Low-Profile Intake System: Pulls organic-rich water smoothly into the external filtration line while staying unobtrusive inside your display aquascape.
Fail-Safe Collection Cup Overflow: Includes a pre-installed 8mm drain barb and flexible line to route extra wet-skim fluids safely into an external reservoir to protect your floors.
(Note: This retail box includes (1) K3-250HOB round skimmer assembly, (1) collection cup with lid, (1) controllable DCAIR 2.5 pump, (1) digital 10-speed controller, intake/return plumbing tracks, and a flexible drain tube).
IceCap K3 External Hang-On Series Sizing Chart
| Skimmer Model | SKU Reference | Heavy Bioload Limit | Medium Bioload Limit | Light Bioload Limit | Chamber Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IceCap K3 100HOB | IC-K3-100HOB | 40 Gallons | 75 Gallons | 100 Gallons | Flat Rectangular |
| IceCap K3 150HOB | IC-K3-150HOB | 140 Gallons | 200 Gallons | 250 Gallons | Flat Rectangular |
| IceCap K3 200HOB | IC-K3-200HOB | 60 Gallons | 80 Gallons | 140 Gallons | Traditional Cylindrical |
| IceCap K3-250HOB | IC-K3-250HOB | 140 Gallons | 200 Gallons | 250 Gallons | Traditional Cylindrical |
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap K3-250HOB Cylindrical Acrylic External Skimmer Body Frame
(1) High-Capacity Collection Cup with 8mm Drain Port & Sealing Plug
(1) Low-Voltage Controllable DCAIR 2.5 Pinwheel Skimmer Pump
(1) Digital 10-Speed Pump Control Module with Backlit Interface
(1) Custom Air Intake Silencer with Flexible Silicone Airline Tubing
(1) Clear Flexible Collection Cup Waste Drain Hose Line (8mm ID / 12mm OD)
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap K3 250 HOB Protein Skimmer
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-K3-250HOB
Primary System Application: External Hang-On-Back Use Only (Sump Not Required)
Reaction Chamber Body Diameter: 5.0 Inches
Total Base Footprint Dimensions: 11.0" x 5.6"
Total Operational Height: 23.3 Inches
Maximum Rim Clamping Width: Accommodates aquarium rims up to 1.57 Inches (40mm)
Skimmer Pump Operational Voltage: 24V DC via 100~240V AC Adapter
Maximum Motor Power Consumption: 16 Watts Peak Draw
Volumetric Air Induction Draw: 900 Liters Per Hour (31.5 SCFH)
Volumetric Water Flow Output: ~317 Gallons Per Hour
Official Manufacturer Warranty Support: 3-Year Pump Body / 1-Year Electronics Coverage
K3 250HOB User Instructions - Click Here
- Unbox all parts and lay out your components. Ensure the rubber sealing O-rings are seated cleanly inside the coupling unions of the external DCAIR 2.5 pump before mounting.
- Mount the pump block to the exterior lower tracking rails of the round skimmer chassis by aligning the threads and hand-tightening the union nut clockwise. Hand-tighten only to avoid cracking plastic components.
- Carefully lift the skimmer assembly and hang it vertically over your rear aquarium rim. Twist the two adjustable nylon leveling screws on the lower base to level the cylindrical skimmer body flush against your rear glass panel.
- Prime the Skimmer Canister: Before applying electrical power, manually fill the main round acrylic reaction chamber completely with salt water from your tank until it overflows back out of the return pipe. Running a DC needlewheel pump dry will quickly score the ceramic shaft and destroy the motor.
- Connect the pump cord to the digital controller, plug the power supply into a certified GFCI-protected outlet, and set the initial power level to Speed 3 or 4 to start processing water.
- Let the skimmer break in wide open for 7 to 10 days. Once factory handling lubricants have fully cleared, use the digital speed adjustments and the internal discharge dial to guide your foam line up into the neck.
Pro Tips:
- Block the Air Line Briefly If the Pump Struggles to Prime Its Intake. Because the K3-250HOB sits above the gravity line of your display tank, it must pull an active siphon to clear air out of the intake loop. If you start the pump and it gurgles without moving water, pinch the soft silicone airline completely in half for 3 to 5 seconds. Blocking the air path forces the DCAIR 2.5 pump to draw a pure hydraulic vacuum, priming the primary intake line instantly. Release the line as soon as water charges the canister.
- Keep the Controller Speed Set Low (Levels 2-5) During the First 10 Days. Controllable DC needlewheel impellers pack an immense amount of kinetic energy compared to old fixed-speed AC motors. Firing up a brand-new, unbroken-in skimmer on full Speed 10 will almost always cause instant, aggressive over-foaming, dumping clean tank water out of your collection cup lid. Keep your controller set to a lower interval initially, and slowly ramp up the power settings across a two-week window as the raw acrylic surfaces settle.
- Always Route Your Collection Cup Drain Hose Into a Deep Auxiliary Jug. While an in-sump skimmer overflow simply falls back into your filtration basin, a hang-on-back skimmer overflow can end up directly on your home flooring. To eliminate this risk entirely, never plug or cap the lower drain barb of your collection cup. Connect the included clear flexible drain line to the barb and direct it straight down into a secondary 1-gallon jug or dedicated waste collector inside your cabinet. If a sudden shift in surface tension triggers a brief over-foam surge, the excess fluid is caught safely in the auxiliary jug.