Royal-Exclusiv / Vertex Cone Skimmer Club

[eaglesrx]

It was a common recommendation in the past to get a skimmer rated to handle 2X the system volume. It didnt apply to all skimmers but it was a common recommendation. It still probably applies, to play it safe, with many of the cheap, budget skimmers. But probably most of the modern skimmers made by manufacturers with good reputations are either truly rated or even conservatively rated. The Alpha Kones are one of those as are all the Bubble King manufactured skimmers along with many other brands. They will easily handle what they are rated for and beyond.

For the record, I use an Alpha 200 on a 90 gallon display with 38 gallon sump with a 156 gallon display (and probably the 90 gallon as the sump) in the future plans. The 200 skims the 90 gallon extremely well, its amazing what it pulls out of my farily lightly loaded system, but I bought it knowing that I would be going to a 150 - 180 gallon display in the future. So, you can trust that Alphas will easily handle what they are rated for or you can upsize if you want to but as Jeremy stated, it isnt necessary.

Great info. This is what I suspected when I read Jeremy's reply. Thanks so much.

 

[fsugmoney]

I have had my 200 since they first came out. It has worked great on my 90 with 55 sump at 10" depth up until about a week ago when it started to overflow. That day I did super glue one frag, but I have used the same stuff many times before and never overflowed. Jeremy suggested that I raise it to 9" witch I have done and still same results. To me it seems to be pulling way to much air. The bubbles are under the bubble plate, and is causing bubbles to exit the wedge pipe witch never ever happened before. What else could be causing my issues. Thanks

 

[Orr2003]

I have had my 200 since they first came out. It has worked great on my 90 with 55 sump at 10" depth up until about a week ago when it started to overflow. That day I did super glue one frag, but I have used the same stuff many times before and never overflowed. Jeremy suggested that I raise it to 9" witch I have done and still same results. To me it seems to be pulling way to much air. The bubbles are under the bubble plate, and is causing bubbles to exit the wedge pipe witch never ever happened before. What else could be causing my issues. Thanks

Sounds like something is clogging the water intake on the pump and not allowing it to pull in as much water as it should be.

Take the pump off and inspect it and remove the front cover and clean the needlewheel.

Let us know if this helps

 

[fsugmoney]

Fixed!!!!!!!

Thanks for the quick reply Orr2003.

That was the first thing that I checked, but this time it fixed it. Thanks again.

 

[Orr2003]

Glad its fixed

Merry Christmas!

 

[McKay]

I'd like to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!May your collection cup fill!

 

[wolf1971]

Set up my 300 today and it rocks.

 

[redstile]

hi, after washed the glass to eliminate waste by 5 days in my cone 200 is running from 5 days.
the pump mounting the standar nozzle (19mm) the level in sump is 8.7 " the widgepipe is closed to 50% in the photo as is foaming.
few questions:
turning wifgepipe to raise internal level my skimmer ?
I adjust the air ?

Thanks for your advice to improve

 

[Orr2003]

I have been using the Alpha 300 for a few months now and have it dialed in perfectly.

So I wanted to post my levels for this skimmer in hopes it could be a starting point for other 300 users


My skimmer is setting in exactly 9 inches of water and the wedgepipe is closed exactly 25% from fully open. It is easy to adjust if you put your hand inside the wedge pipe and feel that it is completely open then take a black permanent maker and make 2 marks representing fully open. Then close it 50% exactly half way feeling inside with your hand or looking inside to make sure it is 50% and make two marks here representing 50% closed. This way you will know how closed the wedge pipe is for future adjustments.

I tried the 300 in 10" of water and I had to keep the wedgepipe fully open or it overflowed. I have not tried it in 8" of water yet but 9" seems perfect. Nice thick foam head and some foul skimmate. I will post some pics and some nog pics for ya later but I just cleaned it yesterday.

 

[Reefobsession]

Does anyone notice that if you shut off your skimmer and then turn it back on, water gets in the air hose?

 

[McKay]

Jeremy,is it ok to use white distilled vinegar to decalcify the wheel unit? Also about how often should the pump be cleaned?

 

[DarG]

Does anyone notice that if you shut off your skimmer and then turn it back on, water gets in the air hose?

Not sure what you mean. Obviously water can partially fill the air line when the power is off. But, are you saying that the water isnt cleared out of your skimmers air line when you power the pump back on? The pumps pulling air should clear the air line of water when the pump is powered back on.

 

[Orr2003]

not sure what you mean. Obviously water can partially fill the air line when the power is off. But, are you saying that the water isnt cleared out of your skimmers air line when you power the pump back on? The pumps pulling air should clear the air line of water when the pump is powered back on.

+1

 

[Reefobsession]

Yeah mine does that. I have the extension on and I need to cut it down a little bit. The air hose is pretty long.

 

[taklein65]

I hope you all had a merry Christmas we did. The skimmer has been running for about a month now with no problems. wedge pipe open about 50% using short tube sump level 9-9.5". I empty the cup once week cup filled to about 3/4-1/2" below the ring on the bottom of the lid a few times right up to the ring or just past if I'm late. I am VERY HAPPY with the skimmer I''l give it another week or so before i start dialing it in or may just leave it as is seems to work just fine now. I wish you all a happy and safe new year will post again in a week or 2.
Tim

 

[rort]

I purchased my Alpha 200 Cone around two weeks ago and have not been able to dial it in at all...

- I first placed it in my sump that was sitting in 10" of water. It immediately overflowed.
- I then built a small stand for it and it sat in about 8.75" of water. At this level I had to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get the bubble line anywhere close to the collection cup.
- I then decided to lower it back down in the 10" of water and NOW I am still having to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get any bubbles close to the cup.

I really have no idea what all the pump inserts are but mine came with two. One that is red with a grey top (that is what I am using right now), the other is just a simple red tube that does not fit my pump in any way.

Any help would be very appreciated as I have been running a HEAVILY stocked 150g tank for the last two weeks without really skimming anything...

 

[AcroporAddict]

Guys,
I just got my Alpha 250 today. I have it hooked up and have a couple questions.
1. Where do I want the water level in the skimmer during break in?

2. Which of the two intake nozzles has the higher air intake, the wider one or the narrower one?
Dave

 

[AcroporAddict]

Actually, I guess it is not the width of the red nozzles, but the length. I've read some of this thread from the beginning. Longer nozzle is for less air and lighter bioload, shorter nozzle is for more air and higher bioload, right?

I also have an extra length of silicone tubing with a small red connector in it. Is this just a extension for the stock air intake?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I purchased my Alpha 200 Cone around two weeks ago and have not been able to dial it in at all...

- I first placed it in my sump that was sitting in 10" of water. It immediately overflowed.
- I then built a small stand for it and it sat in about 8.75" of water. At this level I had to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get the bubble line anywhere close to the collection cup.
- I then decided to lower it back down in the 10" of water and NOW I am still having to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get any bubbles close to the cup.

I really have no idea what all the pump inserts are but mine came with two. One that is red with a grey top (that is what I am using right now), the other is just a simple red tube that does not fit my pump in any way.

Any help would be very appreciated as I have been running a HEAVILY stocked 150g tank for the last two weeks without really skimming anything...

Give me a call today if you get time at 317-895-9005 and I'll help you get it dialed in.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[DarG]

I purchased my Alpha 200 Cone around two weeks ago and have not been able to dial it in at all...

- I first placed it in my sump that was sitting in 10" of water. It immediately overflowed.
- I then built a small stand for it and it sat in about 8.75" of water. At this level I had to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get the bubble line anywhere close to the collection cup.
- I then decided to lower it back down in the 10" of water and NOW I am still having to have the wedgepipe almost completely closed to get any bubbles close to the cup.

I really have no idea what all the pump inserts are but mine came with two. One that is red with a grey top (that is what I am using right now), the other is just a simple red tube that does not fit my pump in any way.

Any help would be very appreciated as I have been running a HEAVILY stocked 150g tank for the last two weeks without really skimming anything...

Yes, definitely give Jeremy a call. In the meantime ... sounds like the insert your are using is the lower air insert. They have changed a couple things about the 200 ... mine had two inserts, one was the "simple red tube" and the other was all grey in color (smaller ID and "bell end"). Anyway, If the inside diameter of the "simple red tube" is larger than the insert you are currently using, then use it instead. It does indeed fit ... it is used in conjunction with the grey bushing that inserts inside the pump volute.