We’ve been testing the Sicce Shark Skimmer 150 in our “Nightmare Aquarium” for quite some time, and we’re absolutely impressed. Find out why in our review and video.
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Sicce recently developed a pair of very similar skimmers, the Shark Skimmer 150 and the Shark Skimmer 300, which we previewed at this year’s Interzoo in an article you can revisit by clicking here: The Spectacular New Sicce Shark Skimmers at Interzoo 2024. Within a few months, we received both skimmers and decided to test the smaller 150 in our 80-liter aquarium with a few fish and corals. We thought it was the perfect test for this little beast.
The skimmer is quite compact and well-built, with a rectangular base and a collection cup that simply rests on the body. It’s simple, extremely quiet, and highly efficient. Let’s dive into the details.
Technical Specifications of the Sicce Shark Skimmer 150 and 300
Let’s start with the technical data to analyze these two new skimmers:
| Shark Skimmer 150 | Shark Skimmer 300 | |
| Skimming Type | Immediate with diffuser | Counter-current |
| Max Air Capacity | 150 l/h | 180 l/h (ozone compatible) |
| Power Consumption | 4 watt | 5 watt |
| Recommended Tank (Fish & Soft Corals) | 30 l | 50 l |
| Recommended Tank (SPS) | 40 l | 80 l |
| Recommended Tank (Mixed) | 150 l | 300 l |
| Glass Thickness | 15 mm | 15 mm |
| Dimensions | 66x120x243(h) cm | 83x125x243(h) cm |
| Price | 90 euro | 130 euro |
Our Video on the Sicce Shark Skimmers
To start, we recommend watching our video, where you’ll hear firsthand why we love this little skimmer so much. By the end of the video, you’ll understand why it’s become one of our favorites.
Build Quality
Despite its affordable price, the skimmer is very well-built, with a simple snap-on system that makes it easy to open and clean the pump. It comes with a single, strong magnet for mounting on the glass.
Here’s the snap-on mechanism for the Shark Skimmer 150 (the one we tested):
And here’s the mechanism for the Shark Skimmer 300:
Slightly more complex, but only on paper. The pump slides out easily, and assembly/disassembly is straightforward, thanks to the clear guides on the parts. Both skimmers are single-pump systems, and the water level is adjusted by simply raising or lowering the skimmer. The 300 also has a minimal adjustment grid, which you can see in detail below.
The single pump draws water from outside the skimmer, mixes it with air, and pushes it down into the skimmer’s cone. The bubbles then rise through the body and exit into the collection cup. It’s simple in design and equally simple to use, with the skimmer proving to be very responsive and easy to fine-tune.
Ease of Use
Removing the collection cup is a breeze. It’s gently placed or removed with just one hand. Two things to note:
- The air tube connects to a clip on the lid, so you’ll need to remove it before taking off the cup.
- The cup has a small pin underneath to ensure it’s inserted correctly. Sicce has thought of everything.
Additionally, you can remove the skimmer’s cap, flip it over, and place the cup on top to avoid spills while cleaning.
Sicce even includes a cleaning brush for the skimmer, a classy touch that’s always appreciated.
Pumps: Micra and Syncra
The skimmers use two well-regarded pumps: the Sicce Micra for the Shark Skimmer 150 and the Sicce Syncra for the larger 300. Both feature needle-wheel impellers and are known for their reliability. We tested the Sicce Syncra back in 2012 and found their performance impeccable.
There is no overflow device. It would be safe in a device like this, and if you foam too much, then the foam finds its way out of the cap.
The article continues on page two with operation, performance, our field measurements, and our conclusions.
