Icecap K3-160 OVP skimmer

[dbrown4183]

Does anyone have any experience with the IceCap K3-160 OVP skimmer? I just purchased one and am wondering what other people’s experiences with this skimmer are. Any hints, tricks or concerns?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

How are you liking your skimmer so far?

 

[dbrown4183]

How are you liking your skimmer so far?

Haven’t had it long but very satisfied so far. Easy to dial in and is working well

 

[dank.reefer]

I am a little late to comment but I have been running the K3-200 OVP. I have found the air intake to be a little noisey and was able to remedy this by installing an intake muffler from another skimmer. Other than that, this is one awesome skimmer.

I noticed that Icecap is no longer making this skimmer, so I bought an extra pump and controller since I see myself using this unit for a long time.

 

[Kyan]

I am a little late to comment but I have been running the K3-200 OVP. I have found the air intake to be a little noisey and was able to remedy this by installing an intake muffler from another skimmer. Other than that, this is one awesome skimmer.

I noticed that Icecap is no longer making this skimmer, so I bought an extra pump and controller since I see myself using this unit for a long time.

Could you please show me a picture of your k3 200 with the silencer attached as I am looking for a solution for the noise as well. Tia

 

[dank.reefer]

I am a little late to comment but I have been running the K3-200 OVP. I have found the air intake to be a little noisey and was able to remedy this by installing an intake muffler from another skimmer. Other than that, this is one awesome skimmer.

I noticed that Icecap is no longer making this skimmer, so I bought an extra pump and controller since I see myself using this unit for a long time.

Could you please show me a picture of your k3 200 with the silencer attached as I am looking for a solution for the noise as well. Tia

I am currently just holding the silencer using some strips of velcro. It ain't pretty but it works. I have some white acrylic scraps that I plan to use to make a better bracket. I will include photos here in this thread once the bracket is complete. This silencer was purchased through the CoralVue outlet and parts store for around $20. There are many skimmer silencers available if you do a Google search, I just liked this one because it matches the skimmer well. Once I make my bracket it should look factory.

 

[Euphyllia098]

I'm running this skimmer and the noise is good for me, but I'm only running it on 6.

Pulls good skimmate. My only complaint is that it's difficult to clean compared to other skimmers I've had. The clear open volute doesn't come apart, so it's impossible to clean, and the plastic screws holding the motor on really suck, and a screwdriver barely fits. I ended up replacing them with titanium socket head cap screws.

Also the airline gets a small kink in it where it comes out of the skimmer body. Really poor design. I contacted Coralvue and all of them they had on the shelf were the same, so obviously a manufacturing issue. It doesn't seem to affect operation, but it's not right.

The needle wheel is very fragile, so be careful not to break the pins off

I also don't like that you can't take the skimmer body off without disconnecting the airline. Just poor design.

It does skim good though.

 

[dank.reefer]

I'm running this skimmer and the noise is good for me, but I'm only running it on 6.

Pulls good skimmate. My only complaint is that it's difficult to clean compared to other skimmers I've had. The clear open volute doesn't come apart, so it's impossible to clean, and the plastic screws holding the motor on really suck, and a screwdriver barely fits. I ended up replacing them with titanium socket head cap screws.

Also the airline gets a small kink in it where it comes out of the skimmer body. Really poor design. I contacted Coralvue and all of them they had on the shelf were the same, so obviously a manufacturing issue. It doesn't seem to affect operation, but it's not right.

The needle wheel is very fragile, so be careful not to break the pins off

I also don't like that you can't take the skimmer body off without disconnecting the airline. Just poor design.

It does skim good though.

I have been running this skimmer on level 8 for 2 years straight and I have never cleaned anything but the skimmate cup and neck.

 

[Kyan]

I am currently just holding the silencer using some strips of velcro. It ain't pretty but it works. I have some white acrylic scraps that I plan to use to make a better bracket. I will include photos here in this thread once the bracket is complete. This silencer was purchased through the CoralVue outlet and parts store for around $20. There are many skimmer silencers available if you do a Google search, I just liked this one because it matches the skimmer well. Once I make my bracket it should look factory.

Thank you!

 

[Kyan]

I'm running this skimmer and the noise is good for me, but I'm only running it on 6.

Pulls good skimmate. My only complaint is that it's difficult to clean compared to other skimmers I've had. The clear open volute doesn't come apart, so it's impossible to clean, and the plastic screws holding the motor on really suck, and a screwdriver barely fits. I ended up replacing them with titanium socket head cap screws.

Also the airline gets a small kink in it where it comes out of the skimmer body. Really poor design. I contacted Coralvue and all of them they had on the shelf were the same, so obviously a manufacturing issue. It doesn't seem to affect operation, but it's not right.

The needle wheel is very fragile, so be careful not to break the pins off

I also don't like that you can't take the skimmer body off without disconnecting the airline. Just poor design.

It does skim good though.

Thanks for the pointers.

 

[Nidirom]

Does anyone have any experience with the IceCap K3-160 OVP skimmer? I just purchased one and am wondering what other people’s experiences with this skimmer are. Any hints, tricks or concerns?

Yes, it was quiet at first but after six months it's like a train going by. Piece of junk and I made the mistake of buying it directly from coral use so they only give you a 3 month warranty. I would avoid all icepack products and especially don't by direct.

 

[Euphyllia098]

Yes, it was quiet at first but after six months it's like a train going by. Piece of junk and I made the mistake of buying it directly from coral use so they only give you a 3 month warranty. I would avoid all icepack products and especially don't by direct.

Mine got noisy, I cleaned it and it's silent again.