Vertex Skimmers

[christyf5]

Any updates on the vertexes? or the vertex vs any other skimmer?

[Keri]

So far, so good, but I don't have any livestock in there aside from some LR, yet.

[str255]

here's my 3 weeks experience with the Vertex IN-80 ... your mileage may vary.

setup
- 55g tank + 10g sump, Tunze ATO, skimmer is in 7.5 inches of water
- 50lbs LR, cleanup crew, zoas, xenia, 1-big leather, 1-blenny, 1-chromis
- tank is about 3 years old

pros
- wedge pipe makes water level adjustment easy;
wedge pipe assembly can also be moved/rotated (to a degree) around
the skimmer body for a smaller footprint
- collection cup has a drain

cons
- noisy ... humming seems to resonate in the sump; airline intake is loud too (this is by far the worst factor for me ... I have to crank up the TV!)
- the collection cup has to be "wiggled" off (at least for me) and if the cup is almost full, then it may be easy to spill some skimmate

performance
- given the light bio-load, I think it is pulling out a decent amount of skimmate
- seems to be sensitive to water levels ... on one occasion I shut off my return pump and the sump level rose from 7.5 inches to about 9.5 for a couple of hours (had forgotten to turn the return pump back on) ... got lots of foam that overflowed the collection cup.
- seems sensitive to feeding ... after feeding flakes, the foam head collapses for 1-1.5 hours; after feeding msysis, cyclopeze, it collapses longer
- I'm not sure whether or not the skimmer is broken-in / dialed-in yet ...
- I'm trying to get the bubbles to break just as they enter the bottom of the collection cup, but doing so results in very wet skimming ... so the bubbles are breaking near the top of the skimmer body (and the skimmate production does seem decent)
- I don't think the noise level is going to subside, though

comparison
- I've picked up a used EuroReef RS80 that I'll put in the sump next week and it will offer a good comparison to the IN-80.
- I've used a Deltec MCE600 (both in HOB and in Sump) ... it's skimmate was
much nastier ... but it also had issues:
-- collection cup walls built up a lot of crud and had to be cleaned every couple of days (otherwise skimming efficiency would drop)
-- there was some humming noise (not as loud as the IN-80).
- I've used a Remora Pro in HOB ... not very effective.
- I do have a EuroReef RS135 on a 95g ... I like it very much.

I hope the information has been helpful.

[christyf5]

Thanks! Thats great info. I'm waffling between the ER RS250 and the Vertex IN-250. The price of the vertex is awesome but I already have an ER CS6-2 and the security of knowing I'm happy with ER is working more in its favor right now.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by christyf5

Thanks! Thats great info. I'm waffling between the ER RS250 and the Vertex IN-250. The price of the vertex is awesome but I already have an ER CS6-2 and the security of knowing I'm happy with ER is working more in its favor right now.

The Vertex has the EXACT same body as the ER but with better features.

Here`s a larger sampling of product review:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

[banditpowdercoat]

RC no work no more

OK, I know a Vertex is in my 150g future. Presently running a RSM Berlin. (crap I think) But, what I need to know, is the performance of the Alpha Kone 170 that much better than the IN 180? Is it worth double the cost? I have 27" total of headroom in my stand. I am excited about the Kone, but my wallet is not. Especially that I am going to be unemployed in a couple months.

[fencer]

You would thnk it is a design improvement. It would improve the swirling action of the bubbles allowing for more residence time. However does the % improvment justify the cost.

[MrKrabby]

I have had my Vertex 180 for about a month now....skimmer is well built and I am very happy with it. It is quite, skimmers unbelievable and can't beat the price.

I would buy another in a heartbeat

[arnald]

how much is a vertex 180 and where is the cheapest locally. JL is kind of expensive

[plutoniumJoe]

Originally Posted by arnald

how much is a vertex 180 and where is the cheapest locally. JL is kind of expensive

Maybe I am naive but I have always found J and L prices to be about the best in Canada.