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Unread 04/20/2012, 05:08 PM   #1351
aravindk
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Here it is. The micro bubbles are NOT so white:



I turned it off and turned back on to show how it runs usually:



Thanks for looking into this!


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Unread 04/20/2012, 05:11 PM   #1352
apt220
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aravindk, "This video is private" is the message that I get when I hit play.


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Unread 04/20/2012, 07:33 PM   #1353
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Oops! it is fixed now.


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Unread 04/21/2012, 06:44 AM   #1354
zoomen
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Alpha 250 Tuning

Hi everyone,

I need some help figuring out how to properly tune my vertex alpha 250. Just for clarity, I must admit, that I know very little about the terms used with skimmers (especially in this thread) so my questions may be very elementary.

I have a 300 gallon mixed reef, heavily stocked and heavily fed tank. I'm a classic case of someone hiring someone else to set up the tank and now being clueless of the operations until the guy left the area and I found this forum.

Here's my problem, I cant dial in the skimmer very effectively. My skimmer cup fills up every day with this weak watery skimmate. When I see the pics of other peoples skimmate im a bit jealous because I feel mine is way too wet. When I turn the standpipe just a tad (maybe an 1/8th of an inch), my skimmer produces less and more thicker skimmate but it produces an extremely small amount. I went from emptying the cup everyday to emptying the cup once a week.

I feed my tank extremely heavy and would expect a quicker fill of my cup but it's not happening. I've read about all the nuances to proper operation of this skimmer, but am struggling with finding the sweet spot. Any ideas?

Here's what I've done after reading the advice here. My water level in the sump is 9.5". The white plastic thing (volute?) was closed and then opened two full turns. The valve thing (sorry not sure what the technical term is) is barely open. I've turned it in various positions but either I get overflowing skimmer, watery skimmate, slow filling skimmate or no skimmate.

Right now I'm getting one collection cup full every 6 to 7 days, but the neck is quickly coated with a thick gross sludge. If I dial it an eighth inch clockwise, I get a clean neck and watery skimmate. What am I doing wrong? Or is my skimmer under/over sized for my tank?


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Unread 04/23/2012, 09:24 AM   #1355
Jeremy B.
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Emptying the cup once a week is just fine, and actually about where it probably needs to be in my opinion. The skimmer is sized appropriately and everything seems to be in working order by dumping the cup weekly. Enjoy!


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Unread 07/03/2012, 01:15 PM   #1356
kuyatwo
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Jeremy can you post a link to the alpha 200 adjustable volute I can't seem to find it on the website anymore


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Unread 07/03/2012, 03:03 PM   #1357
Jeremy B.
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We took them down because we were out of stock for a long time. I just got a couple in so if you need one just shoot me an email if you're placing an order and I'll add it on for you. jeremy@premiumaquatics.com


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Unread 07/06/2012, 08:20 PM   #1358
rogerwilco357
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I see alot of new parts to the alpha 170 -200 and up..the impeller the nozzle on the pump etc..i bought mine over 2 years ago and didn't have those upgrades at the time how can i get my units up to date? especially the 170 with the push pull type of nose if it gets bumped there goes my perfect setting ...now they have the screw type adjuster that seems better? well any input is appreciated.
Roger


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Current Tank Info: 2x2x4 120gal,sump45 gal.RKE controller,ATI Powermodule 8x80watt,1MP20+2MP40,1 mp10,RoyalExclusive Alpha200
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Unread 07/06/2012, 08:22 PM   #1359
rogerwilco357
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dbl post


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Current Tank Info: 2x2x4 120gal,sump45 gal.RKE controller,ATI Powermodule 8x80watt,1MP20+2MP40,1 mp10,RoyalExclusive Alpha200

Last edited by rogerwilco357; 07/06/2012 at 08:23 PM. Reason: dbl
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Unread 07/08/2012, 10:13 PM   #1360
nanoreefbro
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Hi Jeremy did the new Vertex Alpha 250's make it in yet?


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Unread 07/09/2012, 03:56 PM   #1361
Jeremy B.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerwilco357 View Post
I see alot of new parts to the alpha 170 -200 and up..the impeller the nozzle on the pump etc..i bought mine over 2 years ago and didn't have those upgrades at the time how can i get my units up to date? especially the 170 with the push pull type of nose if it gets bumped there goes my perfect setting ...now they have the screw type adjuster that seems better? well any input is appreciated.
Roger
I sent you back an email last week in regards to this, did you get it?


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Unread 07/09/2012, 03:57 PM   #1362
Jeremy B.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nanoreefbro View Post
Hi Jeremy did the new Vertex Alpha 250's make it in yet?
They have not arrived yet. I"m still awaiting a response from the manuf / supplier today on the eta.


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Unread 07/10/2012, 10:00 AM   #1363
nanoreefbro
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy B. View Post
They have not arrived yet. I"m still awaiting a response from the manuf / supplier today on the eta.
Ok thanks for the update Jeremy..


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Unread 07/21/2012, 08:54 PM   #1364
drgorecki
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Vertex Alpha 200 Cone Skimmer – Setup, Modification, Tune Up

Hi everyone.
I think I joined the club. I was looking for this skimmer few months and finally got it.
I’m very happy with the performance so far.
The Red Dragon pump is the smoothest and quietest pump I've ever had. Pump is completely silent.

System:
150G DT and 50G Sump, reef mixed, med bioload.

Simmer settings:
1. It is running at 10"
2. Wedge pipe close 60%
3. Venturi - out 2 turns

Important:
The Footprint is exactly 10" x 15 3/4" NOT 10" x 18". It was very important to me because I have limited space in my sump.

Attachment 197205
Attachment 197206
Attachment 197207



Last edited by drgorecki; 08/17/2012 at 02:23 PM.
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Unread 07/21/2012, 09:57 PM   #1365
nanoreefbro
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I keep getting an error when I try to look at the photos...


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Unread 07/21/2012, 09:59 PM   #1366
FishyBeaner
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nice! I think its time for me to upgrade my 200 to a 300! best skimmer I've ever had.


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Current Tank Info: Visio 72x30x24, Aqua Illumination Sol Blues, 2 MP40's, Alpha 200 Skimmer, Geo 612 calcium reactor, Apex Aqua Controller.
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Unread 07/21/2012, 10:04 PM   #1367
drgorecki
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nanoreefbro View Post
I keep getting an error when I try to look at the photos...
Problems with pictures :/
Sorry


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Unread 07/21/2012, 11:49 PM   #1368
nanoreefbro
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I was looking for a Vertex Alpha 250 but I couldn't find one anywhere...


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Unread 07/22/2012, 09:02 AM   #1369
Jeremy B.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nanoreefbro View Post
I was looking for a Vertex Alpha 250 but I couldn't find one anywhere...
There is a shipment in transit to the states right now, hopefully they will be in very soon. What size system are you putting it on?


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Unread 07/22/2012, 09:24 AM   #1370
nanoreefbro
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy B. View Post
There is a shipment in transit to the states right now, hopefully they will be in very soon. What size system are you putting it on?
I have a 233 gal tank with a 50 gal sump....


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Unread 07/23/2012, 07:28 AM   #1371
Jeremy B.
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I would think the 250 would be the way to go for that size system then. You might be able to make a 200 work, but I think you're at the max with that.


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Unread 07/23/2012, 07:43 AM   #1372
nanoreefbro
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy B. View Post
I would think the 250 would be the way to go for that size system then. You might be able to make a 200 work, but I think you're at the max with that.

Any idea when it may be coming in or do you have any recommendations for another skimmer?


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Unread 07/30/2012, 09:10 AM   #1373
cacingkeren
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Jeremy, would you mind giving me an advise on which vertex i should choose

my main tank gonna be 60"x28"x28" 195gal
sump 42"x20"x16" 55gal

i will heavily stocked the tank with coral and lots of fishes.

if i go with 200 will it be ok?

or if i go with 300 and only using one pump? ( for future update with bigger tank, will this method works? )

thanks in advance


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Unread 07/30/2012, 03:28 PM   #1374
Jeremy B.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nanoreefbro View Post
Any idea when it may be coming in or do you have any recommendations for another skimmer?
I actually just confirmed that Alpha's are going to be out of stock for the next couple of months. It will most likely be October or so until they arrive back into the states again.


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Unread 07/30/2012, 03:30 PM   #1375
Jeremy B.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cacingkeren View Post
Jeremy, would you mind giving me an advise on which vertex i should choose

my main tank gonna be 60"x28"x28" 195gal
sump 42"x20"x16" 55gal

i will heavily stocked the tank with coral and lots of fishes.

if i go with 200 will it be ok?

or if i go with 300 and only using one pump? ( for future update with bigger tank, will this method works? )

thanks in advance
I think the 200 would probably be fine for you. You're kind of inbetween the 200 and 250 as well on that system. The 300 will not work on that small of a tank, and one pump will not run the 300 correctly, don't do that at all.


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