Vertex Skimmer club - Page 33

rkb · 11/06/2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Davidson

Great pic RBK! the question was asked- "What is your water level", that is why I posted mine.
The bubble level can change during the day, due to feeding/cleaning /etc, but the water level generally does not. (or should not)
That is why many use water level to set skimmer and why this question is asked often

Thanks for the info CD, this is my first skimmer of this type and there was not an overabundance of information on how to set it up in the instructions. After looking at mine it has roughly the same water level as yours.

Charlie Davidson · 11/06/2009, 10:19 AM

I have been thru many skimmers, and still learn something new every day.
The waterlevel in these skimmers seems very hard to see, due to the curved slope in the transition. But I really liked this transition, I was thinking its more gentle curve would help create a more stable head of foam --and better skimate..
I am not sure the curve helps now..

username in use · 11/06/2009, 10:36 AM

Ive been keeping my water level 1/2 way between the black ring on the top of the body and the black ring where the cup connects. So far its getting pretty good foam production on my 40g with 4 fish.

shluffer · 11/06/2009, 12:43 PM

What is the footprint of the 250? I have looked it up on a couple of sites (vendors) and have seen different footprints.

rkb · 11/06/2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shluffer

What is the footprint of the 250? I have looked it up on a couple of sites (vendors) and have seen different footprints.

http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/prod...ies/in-250.php

temperhead · 11/06/2009, 07:37 PM

hello, for the last couple weeks my in100 keeps overflowing the cup, i am not new to the hobby and this skimmer has been running for about 4-5 months with 0 issues and i have not used any meds or changed any thing to my tank. my water level is a constant 7 inches in the sump and and i have the skimmer set to produce dry foam/dark skimate. i am stumped? could this be a venturie line issue or a pump issue? why would this just start happening out of the blue?

Proline · 11/06/2009, 08:23 PM

I would check to see if any of the venturi fittings are clogged with salt (at the pump or the intake elbow on the standpipe).

- Albert

frenchie · 11/06/2009, 08:38 PM

should always clean skimmer cup weekly and check venturi fittings but mine has never become clogged, vertex is only skimmer i've had that doesn't get clogged frequently.

skimmmers can overflow for no reason like if you add chlorine removers, medications, corals spawning or inverts spawning can cause it. I would give skimmer pump a good cleaning check air hole and run some carbon in your tank for a while to help remove whatever is in water makin your skimmer go nuts. My vertex has done this also but i think many things play i live near st. louis and recently we had tons of rain and humidity was high in my old house and my skimmer started going nuts so i backed it down plus started running carbon again which also helps.

NyReefNoob · 11/06/2009, 08:52 PM

charlie i have a sicce laying around somewhere, got to put a venturi on it { broke it } just havent got it out of the fish box yet and pulled skimmer to see if it fits, i have the ppw also, might give it a try, having the wedge pipe 3\4 closed to me means pump just isnt strong enough, got to get a spare pin wheel before i try to mesh, or i might just add a layer of mesh to the pin wheel, ive also done a fishing string mod with the needle wheels before with success, but it takes awhile to do, got to see if i still have a pic, done it to a couple of sedra's

7thheaven · 11/07/2009, 01:02 AM

Hi all~

Could you tell me the right water level in sump of each nozzle in alpha 250?

Thanks in advance~

Kenfuzed · 11/07/2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NyReefNoob

charlie i have a sicce laying around somewhere, got to put a venturi on it { broke it } just havent got it out of the fish box yet and pulled skimmer to see if it fits, i have the ppw also, might give it a try, having the wedge pipe 3\4 closed to me means pump just isnt strong enough, got to get a spare pin wheel before i try to mesh, or i might just add a layer of mesh to the pin wheel, ive also done a fishing string mod with the needle wheels before with success, but it takes awhile to do, got to see if i still have a pic, done it to a couple of sedra's

I tried adding a layer (and then 2) of mesh to the existing pin wheel and it just added more turbulence. I haven't tried a full blown mesh mod on this skimmer (250) since I hate to chop up a perfectly good impeller. The one mod that has improved skimming is using a larger diameter air tube. I attached a 1/2" tube to the venturi with a piece of smaller tubing as a bushing. Now the tube has a definite suction like a small vacuum and I had to raise the water level because of the added air.

I would still like to see how well this skimmer does with a Bubble Blaster pump.

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proline

I would check to see if any of the venturi fittings are clogged with salt (at the pump or the intake elbow on the standpipe).

- Albert

Albert, are the 250 and 280 pump the same?
Will 250 pump fit the 180?

What is the size of the discharge on these pumps? (I lost my micrometer)

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thheaven

Hi all~

Could you tell me the right water level in sump of each nozzle in alpha 250?

Thanks in advance~

This may be a better place to ask.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1701505

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 10:32 AM

Can you get a replacement ceramic shafts for these pumps? Where and also do you guys run your output under or above water for better performance? I would imagine above would be better beacause it will have no back pressure issue on the pump but i just thought i ask.

Noel

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 11:13 AM

Noel, I just moved mine down (9") . the outlet tee is underwater now.. I picked up 2 scfh! Wattage increased 1watt.. (it was at 7.5" before ) I though they would do better with outlet above water or 1/2 way open but it does not seem to matter..
Shafts can be bought at www.premiumaquatics.com..

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 11:50 AM

Thanks Charlie,
I'll play around with it. Right now I am running it with the airline not hoked up to the muffler and with the tee halfway above the waterline. I really thought that this would be a huge improvement from my DIY skimmer ran by a sicce but I guess not. The skimmer is really well built though. Maybe I just dont have the bioload to see the same result as everybody has been getting.

Noel

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 11:58 AM

which model do you have? Will the discharge if sicce fit the the vertex?
( I am getting a sicce pump monday to try..)
Sicce pumps can really mix the air, I they can get 40+ scfh now with pin/w! But they do have quirks

Yep, air line not hooked up here either, the skimmer was spastic with it hooked up

(and I have been to lazy to unscrew connector see if its blocked in anyway)

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 12:42 PM

I have the in-280. My sicce was on a 8" body, 5" neck, 25" tall skimmer. I was actually thinking about tryingto see how it will work on this skimmer. But I think it is way too big of a body and neck for 1 sicce.
Noel

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 12:56 PM

Yep, the 280 is too big for sicce..

Kenfuzed · 11/07/2009, 01:04 PM

I don't have my airline hooked to the wedge pipe fitting either. As mentioned earlier I put on a larger diameter air tube which wouldn't fit that fitting anyway, so I made my own silencer. I took a plastic water bottle and drilled many small holes in the bottom. Then the bottle is filled with carbon followed by a wad of filter floss (to keep carbon from getting sucked into the airline). Then I simply stuck the end of the airline into the mount of the bottle and wrapped some tape around the opening to make it seal. Now air is drawn through the carbon and floss making it very quiet, plus it reduces any airborne pollutants from mixing in the skimmer. Just keep the silencer elevated or when the skimmer shuts off you can get some water spitting back into your silencer.

Regarding water level, I recently raised the skimmer so the elbow is slightly above water and I don't think it performs as well for this model (250). Its only been a couple days so still re-dialing it in before I make up my mind on where its set. One thing I notice is that if the output is completely submerged the skimmer will sometimes surge or want to overflow right after a restart. Allowing any air bubbles to escape the outlet prevents a backup and speeds the time it takes for the foam level to settle.

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 01:34 PM

Kenfuzed,
I have the same size tank as you do with a light bioload. I picked up the 280 because it was a good deal, maybe the 250 was abetter fit fro my tank but oh well. how 1s your skimmer performing? It might be just me but I never could get the skimmate to overflow into the cup like what I have seen others have. Maybe the skimmer just dont have much to skim. Water parameters are good and no algae problem so i am not too worried about it.

DT's_Reef · 11/07/2009, 02:00 PM

IMO, if you want the thick gnarly nasty foam, then you have to be careful and not oversize your skimmer for your system.

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 02:18 PM

I agree DT's

Charlie Davidson · 11/07/2009, 02:19 PM

You may have heard a saying I started... "There are no oversized skimmers,, just underfed tanks"

( yes, I have oversized skimmer before)

reefguard · 11/07/2009, 02:27 PM

That's funny Charlie. I think i just need to buy more fish. Sound like a pretty good excuse to tell the mrs we need more fish.

11/06/2009, 10:19 AM	#802
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 11,265	I have been thru many skimmers, and still learn something new every day. The waterlevel in these skimmers seems very hard to see, due to the curved slope in the transition. But I really liked this transition, I was thinking its more gentle curve would help create a more stable head of foam --and better skimate.. I am not sure the curve helps now.. __________________ Richmond Reef Culb Current Tank Info: 75g display & 40g 12" deep rimless on common sump (50g breeder) Octo 200 extreme skimmer, Ecotech MP40's

11/06/2009, 10:36 AM	#803
username in use Custom User Title in Use Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: East Hampton, Long Island Posts: 1,315	Ive been keeping my water level 1/2 way between the black ring on the top of the body and the black ring where the cup connects. So far its getting pretty good foam production on my 40g with 4 fish. __________________ "The problem with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how hard it was." Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, 30g sump/fuge, lots of colorful things.

11/06/2009, 07:37 PM	#806
temperhead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: oregon Posts: 24	i am stumped? hello, for the last couple weeks my in100 keeps overflowing the cup, i am not new to the hobby and this skimmer has been running for about 4-5 months with 0 issues and i have not used any meds or changed any thing to my tank. my water level is a constant 7 inches in the sump and and i have the skimmer set to produce dry foam/dark skimate. i am stumped? could this be a venturie line issue or a pump issue? why would this just start happening out of the blue? __________________ 55 gal. mixed reef w/50 lbs live rock, 4"substrate, . t5 lighting. Current Tank Info: 55 gal. mixed reef w/50 lbs live rock, 4"substrate, . t5 lighting.

11/06/2009, 08:23 PM	#807
Proline RC Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 920	I would check to see if any of the venturi fittings are clogged with salt (at the pump or the intake elbow on the standpipe). - Albert __________________ support@prolineaquatics.com

11/06/2009, 08:38 PM	#808
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: granite city, IL Posts: 4,130	should always clean skimmer cup weekly and check venturi fittings but mine has never become clogged, vertex is only skimmer i've had that doesn't get clogged frequently. skimmmers can overflow for no reason like if you add chlorine removers, medications, corals spawning or inverts spawning can cause it. I would give skimmer pump a good cleaning check air hole and run some carbon in your tank for a while to help remove whatever is in water makin your skimmer go nuts. My vertex has done this also but i think many things play i live near st. louis and recently we had tons of rain and humidity was high in my old house and my skimmer started going nuts so i backed it down plus started running carbon again which also helps. __________________ Darrick slash member 75 gallon, aquactinics tx5, euroreef cs5-3, zoas,palys,shrooms, anenome, small leathers Current Tank Info: 125 gallon nova extreme pro t5's, vertex in sump 180, leathers, mushrooms, anenomes, polyps

11/06/2009, 12:43 PM	#804
shluffer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 58	What is the footprint of the 250? I have looked it up on a couple of sites (vendors) and have seen different footprints.

11/06/2009, 08:52 PM	#809
NyReefNoob Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: peekskill, ny Posts: 213	charlie i have a sicce laying around somewhere, got to put a venturi on it { broke it } just havent got it out of the fish box yet and pulled skimmer to see if it fits, i have the ppw also, might give it a try, having the wedge pipe 3\4 closed to me means pump just isnt strong enough, got to get a spare pin wheel before i try to mesh, or i might just add a layer of mesh to the pin wheel, ive also done a fishing string mod with the needle wheels before with success, but it takes awhile to do, got to see if i still have a pic, done it to a couple of sedra's __________________ 80g 3x2x22' tek 8 bulb t5, vertex in 180 gen 2, 2 mp 20's, 2 modded tunze 6025's. phos and carbon reactor, gen x pc40 driving return and reactor's, current 1/10th hp chiller, ac jr. pinpoint orp meter, aquatic systems nano cal reactor My dad always said the only stupid questions are the ones not asked Current Tank Info: 80g 3x2x22"

11/07/2009, 01:02 AM	#810
7thheaven Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: seoul,korea Posts: 648	Hi all~ Could you tell me the right water level in sump of each nozzle in alpha 250? Thanks in advance~

11/07/2009, 10:32 AM	#814
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	Can you get a replacement ceramic shafts for these pumps? Where and also do you guys run your output under or above water for better performance? I would imagine above would be better beacause it will have no back pressure issue on the pump but i just thought i ask. Noel

11/07/2009, 11:13 AM	#815
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 11,265	Noel, I just moved mine down (9") . the outlet tee is underwater now.. I picked up 2 scfh! Wattage increased 1watt.. (it was at 7.5" before ) I though they would do better with outlet above water or 1/2 way open but it does not seem to matter.. Shafts can be bought at www.premiumaquatics.com.. __________________ Richmond Reef Culb Current Tank Info: 75g display & 40g 12" deep rimless on common sump (50g breeder) Octo 200 extreme skimmer, Ecotech MP40's

11/07/2009, 11:50 AM	#816
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	Thanks Charlie, I'll play around with it. Right now I am running it with the airline not hoked up to the muffler and with the tee halfway above the waterline. I really thought that this would be a huge improvement from my DIY skimmer ran by a sicce but I guess not. The skimmer is really well built though. Maybe I just dont have the bioload to see the same result as everybody has been getting. Noel

11/07/2009, 11:58 AM	#817
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 11,265	which model do you have? Will the discharge if sicce fit the the vertex? ( I am getting a sicce pump monday to try..) Sicce pumps can really mix the air, I they can get 40+ scfh now with pin/w! But they do have quirks Yep, air line not hooked up here either, the skimmer was spastic with it hooked up (and I have been to lazy to unscrew connector see if its blocked in anyway) __________________ Richmond Reef Culb Current Tank Info: 75g display & 40g 12" deep rimless on common sump (50g breeder) Octo 200 extreme skimmer, Ecotech MP40's Last edited by Charlie Davidson; 11/07/2009 at 12:14 PM.

11/07/2009, 12:42 PM	#818
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	I have the in-280. My sicce was on a 8" body, 5" neck, 25" tall skimmer. I was actually thinking about tryingto see how it will work on this skimmer. But I think it is way too big of a body and neck for 1 sicce. Noel

11/07/2009, 12:56 PM	#819
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 11,265	Yep, the 280 is too big for sicce.. __________________ Richmond Reef Culb Current Tank Info: 75g display & 40g 12" deep rimless on common sump (50g breeder) Octo 200 extreme skimmer, Ecotech MP40's

11/07/2009, 01:04 PM	#820
Kenfuzed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,886	I don't have my airline hooked to the wedge pipe fitting either. As mentioned earlier I put on a larger diameter air tube which wouldn't fit that fitting anyway, so I made my own silencer. I took a plastic water bottle and drilled many small holes in the bottom. Then the bottle is filled with carbon followed by a wad of filter floss (to keep carbon from getting sucked into the airline). Then I simply stuck the end of the airline into the mount of the bottle and wrapped some tape around the opening to make it seal. Now air is drawn through the carbon and floss making it very quiet, plus it reduces any airborne pollutants from mixing in the skimmer. Just keep the silencer elevated or when the skimmer shuts off you can get some water spitting back into your silencer. Regarding water level, I recently raised the skimmer so the elbow is slightly above water and I don't think it performs as well for this model (250). Its only been a couple days so still re-dialing it in before I make up my mind on where its set. One thing I notice is that if the output is completely submerged the skimmer will sometimes surge or want to overflow right after a restart. Allowing any air bubbles to escape the outlet prevents a backup and speeds the time it takes for the foam level to settle. __________________ ============================================= You want HOW MUCH for that colored stick?!!! A fool and his money are soon fragged. My other obsessions: Harley-Performance.com and Bike-Talk.com Current Tank Info: 180 in-wall reef tank. ATI T5 lighting, Vertex IN-250 Last edited by Kenfuzed; 11/07/2009 at 01:09 PM.

11/07/2009, 01:34 PM	#821
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	Kenfuzed, I have the same size tank as you do with a light bioload. I picked up the 280 because it was a good deal, maybe the 250 was abetter fit fro my tank but oh well. how 1s your skimmer performing? It might be just me but I never could get the skimmate to overflow into the cup like what I have seen others have. Maybe the skimmer just dont have much to skim. Water parameters are good and no algae problem so i am not too worried about it.

11/07/2009, 02:00 PM	#822
DT's_Reef Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,102	IMO, if you want the thick gnarly nasty foam, then you have to be careful and not oversize your skimmer for your system.

11/07/2009, 02:18 PM	#823
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	I agree DT's

11/07/2009, 02:19 PM	#824
Charlie Davidson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Deltaville , Va Posts: 11,265	You may have heard a saying I started... "There are no oversized skimmers,, just underfed tanks" ( yes, I have oversized skimmer before) __________________ Richmond Reef Culb Current Tank Info: 75g display & 40g 12" deep rimless on common sump (50g breeder) Octo 200 extreme skimmer, Ecotech MP40's

11/07/2009, 02:27 PM	#825
reefguard Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 197	That's funny Charlie. I think i just need to buy more fish. Sound like a pretty good excuse to tell the mrs we need more fish.