DKoKoMAN’s 305g Basement Reef

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Dash

So, you don’t miss the sparks and melting plastic?

My wife one time was like why is this thing sparking from the plug. Me: “oh that’s totally normal”.

Now it melted the plug end and controller... wife wins as the return pump
Went in to the garbage and was a fire hazard. What a gong show! Of course it completely shuts down at 10pm so I had to change all the plumbing and install the pump at night.

I have to dial in my Alpha Cone Skimmer again because the last leg of the old return pump caused it to overflow and now it’s a really wet skim. How’s your vertex omega treating you these days?

[Dash]

My Vertex was completely plug and play. I have never adjusted a thing. I googled & apparently the foaming is reaching the sweet spot in the neck. It came at 50% open (whatever that red dial thing is) and I’ve never changed it. Skim mate is black, like I can’t see through it.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Dash

My Vertex was completely plug and play. I have never adjusted a thing. I googled & apparently the foaming is reaching the sweet spot in the neck. It came at 50% open (whatever that red dial thing is) and I’ve never changed it. Skim mate is black, like I can’t see through it.

Ugh . Mine is more the color of tea which is annoying. Does your pump have the white Venturi dial on the pump that is supposed to be adjusted as well? Mine was working well until it overflowed from the return pump.

I have my red stand pipe completely open and the foam head is right toward the top creating the wettest tea like skimmate.

[DKoKoMan]

Anyone have experience with the Vertex Alpha Skimmer? I have the standpipe fully open and the adjustable white (screw) volute set at 1.5 turns from completely closed. I have read what I could find and watched a couple videos on YouTube.

I cannot get my foam head to drop. The Skimmer is Sitting in a water level of 9” and this does not fluctuate. The stand pipe is fully open...even with the volute completely screwed in and the stand pipe fully open, the foam head is so high that my Skimmer cup is full with a watery mix in 2-3 days.

The weird thing is when I first bought the Skimmer it worked great. I’m hoping someone who has experience with this Skimmer can chime in.

[smokinreefer]

Sounds like the skimmer needs to be elevated a bit. Get it up out of the water another inch or so.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

Sounds like the skimmer needs to be elevated a bit. Get it up out of the water another inch or so.

I will give it a try. Recommended is 9-10” but clearly this is not working out.

[gregzz4]

Sounds like it’s not getting enough air. Not familiar with your airflow adjustment but check it to ensure it is open enough, or open it more. The more air it gets, the lower the water will be. If that’s not working, remove the Venturi from the volute and air line, and check for calcium buildup or a blockage. Also inspect the impeller in case something got in it.
Keep in mind too much air will cause it to surge up and down, and cavitation can damage the impeller.