Up Close with the Red Sea C-Skim 1800 Protein Skimmer

The Red Sea C-Skim 1800 does not have the trendy/sexy cone look found today, but it is a bit of an engineering marvel with integrated neck washing system and FoamView collection cup. The skimmer has been been seriously upgraded from the original 1200 C-Skim 3reef gave away a couple years back - the new 1800 has a much more powerful pump - a Sicce PSK 2500. This top-notch pump gives the C-Skim 1800 a very nice 800 lph of air injection, nearly double the original as well as 450 gph max water throughput making the C-Skim a nice candidate for large tanks from 150 - 475 gallons.


The Improved Red Sea C-Skim 1800 Protein Skimmer


The C-Skim 1800 Gets a Boost from a Sicce PSK 2500 pump


The new one piece impeller for added durability


The air injection is much beefier on the C-Skim 1800 than the original


The integrated neck washing system is a stand-out with the C-Skim


Impressions:

Red Sea has made maintenance less of a chore with the C-Skim protein skimmer. Cleaning the neck requires little more than a flip of the switch. You don't turn the skimmer off. And pump maintenance is easy as the pump is accessible and has quick-connects. Pump maintenance should be a bit less too thanks to the new one-piece impeller.

Other than not going with the current cone trend, if there is a real down-side to the C-Skim, it would be the size of the skimmer. It is rather large so measure well when considering this skimmer. This skimmer is capable of being piped as a stand-alone outside the sump however.

Regardless, Red Sea has made a unique skimmer that should skim really well with the Sicce pump, be easy to maintain and outlast a few trends in the skimmer marketplace. The Red Sea C-Skim 1800 retails for around $350.

Specs and More information:
RedSeaFish


Red Sea Web site:
http://www.redseafish.com/

Rea Sea is a 3reef sponsor, check out their sponsor board here:
Red Sea - 3reef Forums

 

Looks great. I almost have my c-skim 1200 hooked up by the way. ;D

Yes I know I am really slacking but it really is a huge skimmer and will not fit anywhere I try to place it. Well I finally figured out a way. I am going to build another cabinet that looks similar to the tank's stand (same design and color) but taller. I am going to put the skimmer in the cabinet adjacent to the tank and run the plumbing behind the stands. Will make a good place for top off water too.

 

When did you win that 3reef prize? Like 2 years ago? ;D
You and I must be on the same schedule. lol! ;D

Good idea with the cabinet though. Seriously!

matt

 

I just checked and it was April 2009, so one year ago. I really can't believe it took me so long to come up with the cabinet idea. The skimmer is built perfectly to do something like this.

I take the "go slow" part of your signature far to literally, I think.

Don't worry I still plan to write a review as promised. As soon as I test it out. ;D

 

I look forward to the review and you still get big points for coming up with the cabinet idea in the 1st place in my book! 8)