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11/19/2011, 10:32 PM | #1277 |
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Alpha 200
What is the dimension from base of the skimmer to the bottom of the collection cup drain of the 200? I was wondering this because my sump is 18" tall with a constant sump depth of 8-1/2".
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11/20/2011, 09:22 AM | #1278 |
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Approx. 16 1/4".
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Red Sea Reefer XL525 |
12/12/2011, 09:56 AM | #1279 |
That's what she said....
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Fontana, CA
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I have been using the AlphaCone 200 for over a year now - Love it. The past week it has been producing an extreme amount of micro bubbles, overflowed multiple times, and just hasn't been skimming very efficiently.
Yesterday - I pulled it all apart to clean, check for snails, or any other problems I might find. The pump looked fine, no issues I could visibly see. Once I started cleaning the skimmer body, I heard something rolling around in the bottom. Took it apart expecting a snail, and I found a Stainless Steel set-screw. It looks like it came from the skimmer somewhere, I just don't know where. The screw itself looks to be a 10-32 or smaller and only about .375 in length. Not very big. Any ideas where it came from?
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-Andrew IIII20 Current Tank Info: 48x30x20 Rimless |
12/12/2011, 11:23 AM | #1280 |
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Unknown Screw...
Hi Enjoy..
this screw has nothing to do with your Alpha-Skimmer. All metallic-Parts on the Alpha Line was made from Titanium. The stainless Steel Screw on your Picture is not comming from the Skimmer or Red Dragon Pump. Maybe from the Avast-Pipecleaner ? Hope it helps... best regards.. Klaus Jansen |
12/12/2011, 11:24 AM | #1281 |
That's what she said....
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Location: Fontana, CA
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Thanks for the quick reply!
I will look into the Avast neck cleaner as soon as I get home from work. Thanks for the helpful info! -Andrew
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-Andrew IIII20 Current Tank Info: 48x30x20 Rimless |
12/16/2011, 09:49 PM | #1282 |
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I was planning on buying an Alpha Cone 200, but I have found a deal on a 1-year old 170. My question is, for my tank size, which would be the right model?
150 gallon heavily stocked display, 40 gallon rock reservoir, and ~25 gallons of water in the sump. |
12/30/2011, 07:42 AM | #1283 |
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I have a 195 custom Starphire being built right now and wanted to tap the club's opinion to know if a Vertex Alpha 200 skimmer was a great skimmer for a SPS and medium fish load SPS dominated system, or should I jump to a 250.
Thanks in advance |
12/30/2011, 08:47 AM | #1284 |
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For the 195 I would suggest going with the Alpha 200. That will be more than plenty to handle that size system heavily loaded. The Alpha 250 would work, but you will get better performance with the 200 for your volume.
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01/16/2012, 11:00 PM | #1285 |
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Hello,
Hoping to get some help with a problem I'm having with my Alpha Cone 200. I have an older version (does not have an adjustable pump intake) of the Alpha 200 (got it used a few years ago). I just cleaned the skimmer and pump in a vinegar bath (took the pump apart and put it back together EXACTLY as it was originally put together and have done this before with no problems) placed it in my new upgrade (187 gallon tank) and started it in my sump at 10 inches. It overflowed and spit out microbubbles like crazy even though I was running it wide open. So then I raised it a couple of inches, still happened (although a little slower), then raised it even more (to about 6-7 inches) and it is STILL overflowing and spitting out microbubbles. I'm at a loss and would really appreciate any help. Thanks, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
01/16/2012, 11:49 PM | #1286 | |
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Quote:
http://youtu.be/KTGQZTmc5xo http://youtu.be/9UcnVnClrFM http://youtu.be/2njxCF05U9I
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. Last edited by subman719; 01/17/2012 at 12:04 AM. |
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01/17/2012, 10:27 AM | #1287 | |
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Quote:
I also am running the skimmer output wide open (since if I try to close it slightly, the skimmer turns into a volcano of bubbles instead of a slow overflow of bubbles). The only thing I noticed (and might be the root of the problem) was that the o-ring (the one that when you take the face of the pump off is around the impeller housing) was looser than I remember, which made it more difficult to place the pump face/intake back on. I actually couldn't put the face on by hand... I had to tighten the screws to fully attach the face to the pump body. The only other thing I can think might cause this is that I did use MarcoRocks mortar to attach some of my rocks (not that much though), but let it cure for more than enough time before placing it in the tank, much less started up the skimmer (the rocks have been in the tank for 1 week and were already attached with the mortar for 1 week before that). I'll try to mess with the pump a little more tonight after looking at your videos, but any other suggestions would be great. Thanks, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
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01/17/2012, 11:01 AM | #1288 | |
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Quote:
Keep me posted! Bob
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. |
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01/17/2012, 11:45 AM | #1289 | |
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Quote:
I'll try to reach out to Jeremy (is PM best?) to see what he says. Thanks, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
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01/17/2012, 12:18 PM | #1290 | |
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Quote:
Just a side note... when I pulled out the inlet tube (the inner red one) to allow more air in, I DID trim it shorter a bit so that the smoothe rounded inlet remained "smoothe" to maintain proper water intake without turbulence and disruption. I used those hand held plier type PVC cutters so the cut was smoothe. If you don't have a pair, use a PVC saw and make sure to use a file or knife to clean off any burrs. These skimmers are VERY precision pieces of equipment so ANY variation will change performance.
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. |
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01/17/2012, 12:41 PM | #1291 | |
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Quote:
Thanks for all of your help, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
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01/17/2012, 12:52 PM | #1292 |
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Quick update: just talked to Jeremy (very helpful) and based on my description (the volcanic eruption of super foam), it seems that it might be a number of things having to do with the water (something I've been dosing, i.e. MicroBacter7, or the mortar used for the rocks).
So, for now, I'll just run the skimmer as usual (but without the skimmer cup) and let it run its course. I'll give it the rest of the week and hopefully this will do the trick. I'll let everyone know if anything else comes up. Thanks again for your help, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
01/17/2012, 01:23 PM | #1293 |
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Glad I can help! My pleasure!
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. |
01/22/2012, 10:50 PM | #1294 |
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For a fairly heavily stocked 440 gallon SPS reef tank (with about another 150-200 gallons of total water volume in fuge, frag tank, etc.), do you think an Alpha 300 cone could handle the workload?
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Previous tanks: 60g AO Starphire cube w/ 400w MH, 2x Vortech MP40w // 29g BC w/ 250w MH // 29g BioCube Currently: in design/building process |
01/22/2012, 11:44 PM | #1295 | |
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Quote:
In the past, I've purchased some skimmers based on the "BIGGER is BETTER" theory.... NOT TRUE!!! I soon found that the insanely large skimmers wouldn't push the foam over into the cup because they were just too darn big for the load. Based on this, I think that even in the remote possibility that the 300 is a tad too small, you'll at least crank out consistent skimmate. I say give it a shot!
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. |
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01/23/2012, 02:20 AM | #1296 |
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how dose the alpha cone 300 compare to the bk sm 250?
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''What works for one,may not for another'' Current Tank Info: Great Lakes 245 Gallon 3 side starphire euro braced black silicone, 90 gallon sump, 45 low rimless frag tank, BK 300 Delux, 3 vortech mp 40, barracuda return, 3 250 w lumatek lumen max elite radium bulbs, 2 5' icecap vho, geo 624, reef keeper lite |
01/23/2012, 06:51 AM | #1297 |
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Based on my research between the two, both skimmers are made by Royal Exclusiv in Germany but the the Alpha line is a cost effective alternative made for Vertex Aquaristik but still has the same quality and performance as the Bubble King line. Because of it's cone shape, it helps condense the bubbles better as they rise and makes the skimmer more effecient. I CAN attest to the quality and performance of the Alpha 170 because I have tried MANY other skimmer brands and designs and the Royal Exclusive Alpha line is the most incredibly made and performing skimmer I've tried!
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Bob "Fish are Friends, NOT Food!" - Finding Nemo Current Tank Info: 90 Gal - Mixed Reef, 75 gal and 40 gal holding tanks. 20 gal mini reef and several fish only PICO tanks. |
01/23/2012, 10:07 AM | #1298 |
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Quick Update: it took a couple of days (and I think me installing my Carbon Reactor may have helped), but my Alpha Cone 200 is finally back to normal. It definitely must have been something in the water.
Thanks again for everyone's help, Chad
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"FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress |
01/24/2012, 08:11 AM | #1299 | |
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Quote:
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01/24/2012, 01:49 PM | #1300 |
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I have a 245 gallon display on the way, along with 150 gallon rubbermaid tub sump and 30 gallon refugium. I plan on adding a frag tank down the road no larger that 40 gallons. will be semi high bio load with many fish and coral mostly sps.
Would you recommend the alpha 200, 250 or 300? Thanks in advance, Brian |
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