Anyone using the new Needle Wheel skimmers by Vertex & PM?

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by TheRealBigAL

I have been running a PM RL150 for a month or so now and I love the skim I get off of it. The vertex skimmers look more appealing because of the Bubble plate. The pumps that come with them are crap! I would take a product made in the USA anyday over a MADE IN CHINA product. I have talked to people who have seen both skimmers running. The end relust is if you put the RL pump on the Vertex you would have the best of both worlds. The bottom line when your buying a skimmer is the quality of the pump in my mind. But hey we cant really complain both are very good skimmers for the price.

EVERYONE JUST NEEDS A BUBBLEKING !

I'd hate to burst the bubble for PM, but RL skimmers are also made in China. They are running RLP/OTP pumps which are the same as the pumps you'll find on the Octopus skimmers (needlewheel).

Vertex skimmers run Resun pumps. For any of those not aware, these skimmers have been used to great success by many skimmer manufacturers over on this side of the pond (e.g. EuroReef). You probably know them as Gen-X pumps. Additionally, they are running pinwheels, not the archaic needlewheel.

I guess my point boils down to this:

RL 100 $219.00.....Vertex 100 $198.95
RL 150 $289.00
RL 200 $369.00.....Vertex 180 $284.95
..........................Vertex 250 $319.95

Both skimmers have the same neck assembly. The Vertex product sports the following features over the RL:

Cup drain w/ plug
Bubble plate
Zirconium Ceramic shaft and bearings (interesting fact: if you hold one of these impellers in your hand and flick it with your finger, it will spin 30-50% longer than a comparable impeller from another company)