This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=15656095#post15656095
Royal-Exclusiv / Vertex Cone Skimmer Club
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
143gadgets
New member
AWESOME!!!! Gotta LOVE Alphas.
Dave's Reef
New member
Woo Hoo, hooray for the split!
Alpha you are the King of skimmers!!!!!
Alpha you are the King of skimmers!!!!!
subman719
Member
:dance: :dance: :dance: Do the SPLIT dance!!!:dance: :dance: :dance:
Ok, on to real business:
I REALLY like the fact that they put the mufflers on the 300 external to the wedge pipe, NOT on top of the wedge pipe with the air tube running through it! I TRUELY believe that having that hole for the air tube in the side of the wedgepipe on the 170's will cause performance issues due to inconsistent backpressure. I think that should be part of a "repair" kit or as they call it in the rest of the market "recall" kit.
I think the kit should include the following:
New impeller,
new wedge pipe "without" the hole in the side,
a bracket to mount the muffler "externally" to the side of the wedge pipe,
a new nozzle of properly tuned length
I truely think these items will be necessary to correct all the issues of this cone skimmer and "upgrade" it to the properly functioning status of a "Bubble King"! As I've mentioned before, these are supposed to be the BEST skimmers on the market and definately are the most EXPENSIVE skimmers on the market! I would just like to see them maintain their status as being THE BEST!
As far as my 170 goes, I seem to be getting good foam but it is very sensitive to adjustment. I either get dry skim or it vomits over! I'm going to pull out my nose cone from 1mm to 2mm out and see what happens.
Ok, on to real business:
I REALLY like the fact that they put the mufflers on the 300 external to the wedge pipe, NOT on top of the wedge pipe with the air tube running through it! I TRUELY believe that having that hole for the air tube in the side of the wedgepipe on the 170's will cause performance issues due to inconsistent backpressure. I think that should be part of a "repair" kit or as they call it in the rest of the market "recall" kit.
I think the kit should include the following:
New impeller,
new wedge pipe "without" the hole in the side,
a bracket to mount the muffler "externally" to the side of the wedge pipe,
a new nozzle of properly tuned length
I truely think these items will be necessary to correct all the issues of this cone skimmer and "upgrade" it to the properly functioning status of a "Bubble King"! As I've mentioned before, these are supposed to be the BEST skimmers on the market and definately are the most EXPENSIVE skimmers on the market! I would just like to see them maintain their status as being THE BEST!
As far as my 170 goes, I seem to be getting good foam but it is very sensitive to adjustment. I either get dry skim or it vomits over! I'm going to pull out my nose cone from 1mm to 2mm out and see what happens.
If Jeremy tests the new impeller and that solves the surging AND still allows the correct balance of air/water for the skimmer body/neck then I think the 170's problems will be solved. The impeller may need to be combined with new (different length) inserts in order to work properly with the 170 body ... The goal, I would think, is to eliminate surging without increasing air/water ... assuming that the balance was found during initial design. They have to keep the discharge microbubble free.
But that said, I think there necessarily has to be a pretty fine line between non surging 170's and surging 170's despite the fact that the surging 170's are in the minority by a large margin (reportedly). So personally, I believe that the new impellers (and inserts if needed) should be sent to ALL 170 owners, not just those with surging issues.
Profit margin for RE/Vertex isnt going to take that much of a hit and it would be the only right thing to do IMO.
I dont agree that the through the wedgepipe airline is a problem at all however. It shouldnt cause any performance issues. I have no issues with it at all on the 200 and I personally like the sleek, inline design with the muffler sitting directly on top of the wedgepipe.
subman719
Member
I too like the "sleek" design however, the purpose of the wedge is to restrict flow and raise the water level. If there is leakage, it would allow the water level to go back down. The only way it would stay balanced is if the airline had no movement whatsoever with no variable leakage. As long as everything stays the same, it should be fine.
I hope they don't intend on rasing the price of these because since they "cut corners" they should keep the price cut as well. These could remain "cost effective entry level" models to the normal bubble king line. Sorry, I'm a prefectionist!
I hope they don't intend on rasing the price of these because since they "cut corners" they should keep the price cut as well. These could remain "cost effective entry level" models to the normal bubble king line. Sorry, I'm a prefectionist!
King of skimmers? A bubble magus 100 just ran next to my 200 for 4 days straight with no adjustment to either. The bubble magus has 1 inch of fairly light skimmate. The vertex 200? absolutely nothing. Maybe a couple drops but thats it. Glad all of your 200's are working. Must just be my luck. I figured the neck would be full of gunk at least but it has surpringly little on it. Glad when tuesday comes so I can ship it back.
Any skimmer that can't run 4 days is a POS. NO ifs, ands or buts. Whats the point of having to adjust a skimmer everyday or couple days? Not saying the vertex needs it or is a POS I am just stating the fact of any skimmer. Extremely poor design or setup would be the only reason a skimmer would need frequent adjustments. Changes in water depth or something. I believe most of the guys buying high end skimmers are doing so believing they are getting a set and forget piece of equipment. After break in and of course not cleaning and routine maintenance. I have easily gone 4-6 months between adjustments on many skimmers I have owned in the past. Yes it performed well the whole time.
Not to be too rude but it's something I like to say when someone says they think something is stop thinking. I even say this to myself from time to time.
I was 886 miles away over those days so I was unable to do anything. I had a good sitter for the tank but he did so much for me I wouldn't burden him with adjusting the skimmer. PLus I set them both approximately the same and wanted to see what happened. Of course the skimmers are different sizes and designs but I did what I could and thought was right.
Not to be too rude but it's something I like to say when someone says they think something is stop thinking. I even say this to myself from time to time.
I was 886 miles away over those days so I was unable to do anything. I had a good sitter for the tank but he did so much for me I wouldn't burden him with adjusting the skimmer. PLus I set them both approximately the same and wanted to see what happened. Of course the skimmers are different sizes and designs but I did what I could and thought was right.
Last edited:
HeneryH
Henery Hawk
You didn't say this in your post. You said that you made no adjustments. Period. Now you are saying that you tuned it in then you never got a drop of skimmate? Sound like you didn't tune it well. Maybe you should clarify what you did.
I'm being blunt. When someone says they are not trying to be rude, they usually are. Screw you.
Ha well said for someone that didn't read the thread. If you read the thread you would have known all that this skimmer has been through. Again if you read the thread you would think it obvious that I meant I let it run for 4 days without adjustment. It has been in and out of water for going on 2 months.
Does anyone know if Screw you is a personal attack?
And Actually I wasn't trying to be rude. Somewhat sarcastic but not really rude. Take it as you like though hope I didn't ruin your evening.
Does anyone know if Screw you is a personal attack?
And Actually I wasn't trying to be rude. Somewhat sarcastic but not really rude. Take it as you like though hope I didn't ruin your evening.
I havent adjusted my 200 since week 3 or so which is when I figure it was broken in well. I also dont have any water leaking out the air-line hole. Again, I dont see it being an issue with performance at all. But I'll withold further comment as I dont own the 170.
Rob ... you acknowleged that owners of the 200 had working skimmers by your statement ... "glad all your 200's are working". Then you state that it "just must be my luck", stating that yours isnt working. I also read where Jeremy mentioned that you were reporting 400 - 600 LPH LESS air from your skimmer pump than was typical. He made the offer of having you send the skimmer back to be looked at/tested while he sent a KNOWN working 200 back to you to try.
You refused the offer. So, not to be rude but, what is your point in continually bashing the 200 in general when you very well may be having a pump problem with your particular 200? Again, a problem that you refused a reasonable, potential remedy to when offered by Jeremy.
I can understand the 170 owners frustration as they have to be patient waiting on a know issue to be resolved. But again, you refused a reasonable offer to test a know good 200 while Jeremy checked yours out.
Rob ... you acknowleged that owners of the 200 had working skimmers by your statement ... "glad all your 200's are working". Then you state that it "just must be my luck", stating that yours isnt working. I also read where Jeremy mentioned that you were reporting 400 - 600 LPH LESS air from your skimmer pump than was typical. He made the offer of having you send the skimmer back to be looked at/tested while he sent a KNOWN working 200 back to you to try.
You refused the offer. So, not to be rude but, what is your point in continually bashing the 200 in general when you very well may be having a pump problem with your particular 200? Again, a problem that you refused a reasonable, potential remedy to when offered by Jeremy.
I can understand the 170 owners frustration as they have to be patient waiting on a know issue to be resolved. But again, you refused a reasonable offer to test a know good 200 while Jeremy checked yours out.
Let's keep it civil, guys. I think robthorn is very frustrated at paying a bunch for a skimmer that he can't make work, but robthorn, your negativity, anger and bitterness is getting pretty old. Obviously, most of the rest of us aren't having the problems you are, but Jeremy offered to ship you another 200 and you ship your 200 back. You turned that down, so I have to wonder what is it you really want?
