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IceCap K3-250 OVP In-Sump Protein Skimmer (CLOSEOUT)
SKU: IC-K3-250-OVP
- High-Capacity Bioload Management: Efficiently processes organic waste for marine aquariums ranging from 350 gallons (heavy bioload) up to 650 gallons (light bioload).
- Open Volute Pump (OVP) Design: Vertically mounts the pump directly beneath the bubble diffuser plate, placing the water discharge at the lowest internal elevation to maximize contact time and reduce turbulence.
- Controllable DCAIR 9.0 DC Pump: Driven by a low-voltage 24V DC pinwheel pump pulling up to 2,000 LPH (70 SCFH) of air and ~580 GPH of water at only 50 watts of peak power.
- 10-Speed Digital Controller: Backlit push-button controller provides 10 calibrated output settings and a convenient 10-minute feed pause button to prevent overflowing during tank feedings.
- Submerged Pipeless Water Level Dial: Replaces bulky external plumbing with an internal rotating pipe valve, allowing quiet, splash-free micro-adjustments to the internal water line.
- Compact Sump Footprint: Integrated OVP architecture fits into tight sump compartments, requiring only a 12.1" x 12.24" footprint for a 10-inch diameter reaction body.
- Complete Modular Teardown: Precision-machined acrylic and heavy-duty thumbscrews allow the entire skimmer body to be disassembled in minutes for cleaning.
IceCap
Premium aquarium equipment without the premium price. Protein skimmers, pumps, reactors, heaters & more.
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FREE Shipping on orders over $75.00
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Closeout: new, unopened unit; available while supplies last
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Backed by a 90-Day Warranty
IceCap K3-250 OVP In-Sump Controllable Protein Skimmer
Maintaining pristine water quality on large reef displays or heavily stocked predator tanks requires processing massive volumes of dissolved organic compounds without dedicating your entire sump chamber to filtration equipment. Traditional in-sump skimmers often position their pump horizontally outside or adjacent to the reaction body, adding significant length to the base plate and forcing turbulent bubbles upward too quickly. The IceCap K3-250 OVP In-Sump Protein Skimmer (SKU: IC-K3-250-OVP) solves this by incorporating Open Volute Pump (OVP) Technology into a heavy-duty, high-capacity filtration platform engineered for systems up to 650 gallons.
At the core of the K3-250 OVP is the vertically oriented DCAIR 9.0 pinwheel DC pump, seated directly underneath the perforated bubble diffusion plate. By positioning the open volute discharge at the absolute lowest elevation inside the 10-inch acrylic body, water and air travel the maximum vertical distance before entering the collection neck. This prolonged dwell time enables micro-bubbles to bind more thoroughly with organic proteins, while reducing erratic fluid turbulence that disrupts foam stability. Rather than utilizing external gate valves or discharge risers that can cause splash noise, the K3-250 OVP uses a submerged pipeless adjustment dial to control internal water height smoothly and silently. The included 10-speed DC controller enables aquarists to dial in the exact air-water balance for dry or wet skimmate production with the push of a button.
Ideal Application & Upgrade Scenarios
If you manage a 180-to-300+ gallon mixed reef or high-bioload system where sump space is constrained by large return pumps, media reactors, or refugium baffles, if you are replacing an AC-powered skimmer to gain controllable DC flow, or if you need reliable nutrient extraction across an expansive coral system, the IC-K3-250-OVP provides high-throughput fractionation in an optimized footprint.
(Note: Package includes (1) K3-250 OVP Acrylic Skimmer Body, (1) Collection Cup with Lid and Drain Line, (1) DCAIR 9.0 Pinwheel DC Pump with Air Silencer, (1) Digital 10-Speed Controller, and (1) DC Power Supply. External waste containers and float shut-off switches sold separately).
(EXCLUDING SUMP)
- Heavy: 350 Gal
- Medium: 500 Gal
- Light: 650 Gal
K3 250 OVP Features
- Controllable DC Skimmer Pump with 10 Power Levels
- Small Footprint
- Efficient & Quiet Operation
- Built-In Air Silencer
Submerged Pipeless Output - Dismantles Completely for Cleaning
- Solid Construction
(1) IceCap K3-250 OVP Acrylic Skimmer Reaction Body & Base
(1) High-Capacity Collection Cup with Quick-Lock Neck & Drain Port
(1) DCAIR 9.0 Controllable Pinwheel DC Skimmer Pump
(1) Digital 10-Speed Pump Controller with Feed Button
(1) Low-Noise Integrated Air Silencer & Airline Hose
(1) Clear Flexible Collection Cup Drain Hose (8mm ID / 12mm OD)
(1) Dedicated DC Power Supply with AC Power Cord
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-K3-250-OVP
Base Footprint: 12.1" L x 12.24" W (~30.7 cm x 31.1 cm)
Reaction Body Diameter: 10.0 Inches (~25.4 cm)
Total Height: 22.8 Inches (~57.9 cm)
Optimal Sump Water Depth: 7.0 to 10.0 Inches
Cup Drain Hose Size: 8 mm ID / 12 mm OD
Pump Model: IceCap DCAIR 9.0 Pinwheel DC Pump
Power Consumption: 50 Watts (at maximum speed)
Air Induction Volume: Up to 2,000 LPH / 70 SCFH
Water Processing Volume: Approximately 580 GPH (~2,200 LPH)
Bioload System Ratings:
Light Bioload: Aquariums up to 650 Gallons
Medium Bioload: Aquariums up to 500 Gallons
Heavy Bioload: Aquariums up to 350 Gallons
*Air and water results will vary depending on aquarium setup
Technical Specs:
WARRANTY
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantee this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 90days
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 the owner's or his agent's first knowledge of the defect.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given the 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.
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Assembly & Operating Guidelines:
Carefully unbox all parts and ensure the acrylic body, pump block, collection cup, and silicone fittings are intact.
Loosen the 4 thumb screws located in the corners of the base of the skimmer so that the body can twist counterclockwise to remove it from the base.
Position the DCAIR 9.0 pump vertically onto the base plate so that the impeller seats downward within the topside of the bubble diffuser plate and locks in with the included mounting screws.
Attach the airline to the Venturi at the bottom of the bubble plate. Route the airline and power cord to their designated locations, then place the body back onto the skimmer by aligning the thumbscrews on the base with the holes on the skimmer body. Twist clockwise to lock and secure the two parts by carefully tightening the four thumbscrews. Be careful not to overtighten the screws.
Connect the other end of the flexible silicone airline to the barb located on the underside of the collar located at the neck of the skimmer body.
Open the output valve completely, and ensure the pump's cord is free and away from water, then place the skimmer into your sump's filtration compartment, confirming a stable water level between 7.0 and 10.0 inches.
Connect the collection cup drain hose to an external waste container or install the sealing plug if collecting waste internally.
Connect the DCAIR 9.0 power lead to the digital 10-speed controller, then plug the power supply into a GFCI-protected AC wall outlet. Use drip loops between the pump and the controller, and from the controller to the power supply.
Set the controller initially to Speed 4 or 5 and rotate the pipeless adjustment pipe wide open to prevent premature foam overflowing during the initial break-in period.
Allow 5 to 7 days for factory handling lubricants to dissipate, then adjust the pipeless pipe and pump speed until the foam head stabilizes at the lower ridge of the cup neck. And allows 3-4 weeks for the skimmer to fully break in.
Pro Tips:
- Master Break-In Stability by Lowering Pump Speed. New skimmers often over-foam violently during the first several days of operation due to surface tension changes from synthetic manufacturing oils. Rather than raising the skimmer physically on a stand or letting the cup overflow, reduce the DCAIR 9.0 pump controller to Speed 3 or 4 with the pipeless discharge turned fully open. This throttles both water volume and air injection, allowing the unit to circulate water smoothly without overflowing until a stable biological slime coat forms.
- Avoid Trapped Air in the External Waste Drain Line. When connecting the 8mm ID collection cup drain hose to a remote waste locker or skimmate bucket, ensure the tubing runs downhill along its entire path. Any low sag or upward bend creates a hydraulic trap where dense skimmate settles, causing an airlock that prevents fresh liquid from draining and triggers an overflow in the skimmer cup. Keep the hose trimmed to the shortest direct length possible.