Skimmer for 29g Biocube

[You Got Reef?]

I have done some research and dialed it down to these 2 skimmers. Both will fit in the 1st stage of the biocube (fairly sure). Both of them look quite decent but I just cant decide. Any input would be much appreciated!

Aquatic Life 115 Mini

IceCap K1-Nano

 

[Biocube32]

I just got a hydor slim skim nano for my 32. Havent broken it in yet though. Its supposed to fit in the first chamber which should be the same size at the 29 i think. Wish i had more infor for you

 

[Montiman]

I have used the aquatic life but not the IceCap. The IceCap is a very tight fit that requires more modification than some people want to do. I personally use a tunze 9001 and am very happy.

 

[Water Dog]

When I ran a BC29, I used the Aquaticlife 115 with the airline mod in chamber 1. It served me quite well and allowed me to use an InTamk Media basket and Fuge basket in chamber 2. If you get the Ice Cap, you will have to put it in chamber 2 and cut out the platic stringers (ridges) on the underside of the lid as well as disconnect the silencer and orient it differently in order for the rear lid to close.

If you can live with these mods, there is no question that the Ice Cap K2-50 will be the better performing skimmer. Here’s a good Nano-Reef thread on the modifications required to run an Ice Cap K2-50 in a BC29...

https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/372180-ice-cap-k2-50-skimmer-in-a-bc29/#comment-5300278

*Edit - sorry, all the Photobucket pictures on that thread are gone.

 

[You Got Reef?]

I have used the aquatic life but not the IceCap. The IceCap is a very tight fit that requires more modification than some people want to do. I personally use a tunze 9001 and am very happy.

This one does look pretty good. What tank do you have it in? How loud is it? How often does the collection cup fill? Any microbubble issues?

 

[You Got Reef?]

When I ran a BC29, I used the Aquaticlife 115 with the airline mod in chamber 1. It served me quite well and allowed me to use an InTamk Media basket and Fuge basket in chamber 2. If you get the Ice Cap, you will have to put it in chamber 2 and cut out the platic stringers (ridges) on the underside of the lid as well as disconnect the silencer and orient it differently in order for the rear lid to close.

If you can live with these mods, there is no question that the Ice Cap K2-50 will be the better performing skimmer. Here’s a good Nano-Reef thread on the modifications required to run an Ice Cap K2-50 in a BC29...

https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/372180-ice-cap-k2-50-skimmer-in-a-bc29/#comment-5300278

*Edit - sorry, all the Photobucket pictures on that thread are gone.

That definitely looks like one dang good skimmer. I took the cover off mine and use a piece of polycarbonate i cut so i can use a different light. Have you used the K2-50 yourself? It looks like it will definitely be a tight fit. https://www.f3images.com/IMD/1000/ES15607/Coralife-29-Gallon-BioCube-Aquarium-6.jpg

 

[AngryMike2016]

I use the Tunze 9001. You have to cut some plastic in chamber 2, takes only a few minutes, and skimmer works well enough.

 

[John3]

If you ever plan to remove the hood, a Aquamaxx WS1 fits perfectly in chamber 2. I tried a hydor slim skin and could never get it to work. It also does not fit chamber 2 without cutting plastic. I’m not sure how any skimmer works in the first chamber with causing water flow issues.

The Aquamaxx might be considered overkill but I don’t run any other type of filtration media and my tank is happy and over growing.

 

[Montiman]

This one does look pretty good. What tank do you have it in? How loud is it? How often does the collection cup fill? Any microbubble issues?

I have it in a Biocube 32 with the intank media basket. I use the DC version and dump the cup about twice a week. No cutting or mods required other than swapping the media basket out for the intank one I will try to get some picks soon

 

[Biocube32]

I have no personal experience with the tunze, but don’t you need an ato if you end up running it in the second chamber to keep the water level steady?

 

[John3]

I have no personal experience with the tunze, but don’t you need an ato if you end up running it in the second chamber to keep the water level steady?

Yes, you will need an ato to keep the water steady.