Royal-Exclusiv / Vertex Cone Skimmer Club

[ReefMonkey13]

Hi Jeremy,
I'm thinking of trading skimmer bodies with a friend for mine. Can you foresee any issues with using an Alpha 170 body on one of the first generation Alpha 200 Red Dragon pumps?

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[Jeremy B.]

The Alpha 200 pump will be way too much water and air flow for the 170 body, it will constantly overflow and throw out microbubbles from the output.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[ReefMonkey13]

Thanks for the quick response Jeremy, you definitely save me some headaches and possible tank crash

 

[AcroporAddict]

Can the threaded venturi intake be retrofitted to the models that used the different length red pipes?

 

[Jeremy B.]

Can the threaded venturi intake be retrofitted to the models that used the different length red pipes?

Yes it can. We have the adjustable nozzles in stock that you can slide right onto the pump inlet and you will be upgraded. Price on the nozzles is $34.95.

Thanks,
jeremy

 

[bayoupr]

Pulsating Red Dragon 1000 Pump

Pulsating Red Dragon 1000 Pump

I cleaned my skimmer out the other day and now my pump is pulsating while not attached to the body. Doesn't matter how far out or in I have the adjustable nozzle it does the same thing. When I take the nozzle all the way out it stops pulsating and runs smooth. I have taken it apart and everthing is good inside the pump. At a lost?

 

[perisse]

I have a Octopus XP2000 cone in my 120g. I want better performance.
Will the Alpha 170 be better than that? Or should I think about the Alpha 200 or Mini BBK 160?
The Oct fits tight into my sump and the cup just touches the ceiling, so I would need something the same size. Thanks.

 

[bayoupr]

I got my pump settled down to where it doesn't pulsate when the nozzle is screwed half way to all the way out. Anything less pulsates real bad. I can't run it no where near 2 -3 turns out like a use to. Right noe I have a rubber o-ring half way down the total length of nozzle whish helps lock it in place from vibrating back off. Puzzled?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I got my pump settled down to where it doesn't pulsate when the nozzle is screwed half way to all the way out. Anything less pulsates real bad. I can't run it no where near 2 -3 turns out like a use to. Right noe I have a rubber o-ring half way down the total length of nozzle whish helps lock it in place from vibrating back off. Puzzled?

You mentioned in the other post that pump pulses when not attached to the body, did you have the airline hooked up to it then?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I have a Octopus XP2000 cone in my 120g. I want better performance.
Will the Alpha 170 be better than that? Or should I think about the Alpha 200 or Mini BBK 160?
The Oct fits tight into my sump and the cup just touches the ceiling, so I would need something the same size. Thanks.

I'm not trying to deter you from buying a new skimmer if that's what you really want, however the XP2000 cone is a nice setup, especially for a 120. A bigger, better skimmer doesn't mean that you're going to get better performance on your setup, and a lot of times the exact opposite happens. The XP2000 should be more than capable of handling a 120g.

Now, having said that, if you do want to go with something different from Royal-Exclusiv, then take a look at the Alpha 170, Mini 200, Deluxe 200 Int, or Super Marin 200. Any of those would handle your system just fine, and then some.

 

[bayoupr]

I had the pump hooked to the body and not to the body with the air hose hooked up

 

[dastratt]

Hello,

I am wondering if anybody on this thread knows how I can get warranty support for Vertex products.

I was shipped a reactor which was broken and the retailer sent me to the following
link to try to get a replacement part
http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/contact-en.php

Unfortunately they did not respond to me. Is there a contact for Vertex warranty support?

I am going back to the vendor (guess who? ) to try to help me but thought I'd try in this forum.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hello,

I am wondering if anybody on this thread knows how I can get warranty support for Vertex products.

I was shipped a reactor which was broken and the retailer sent me to the following
link to try to get a replacement part
http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/contact-en.php

Unfortunately they did not respond to me. Is there a contact for Vertex warranty support?

I am going back to the vendor (guess who? ) to try to help me but thought I'd try in this forum.

We'll get you taken care of as soon as the parts are in stock! :thumbsup:

 

[ReefMonkey13]

I just got the adjustable venturi for my Alpha 200. With it 3 turns out, the bubbles are breaking about 1/4" above the bottom of the collection cup. how much should the wedge pipe be closed (or does it matter)?

If anyone can explain how the 2 work together it will be much appreciated.

BTW, the skimmer is sitting at a constant 9.5" of water.

Thanks in advance for the guidance

 

[Pran]

overflow and leaving the skimmer off for 2 hours every day

overflow and leaving the skimmer off for 2 hours every day

Hi Jeremy/Others


I do have over flow problem with my alpha 200 skimmer, where after 2 or 3 days it overflows, I think the issue is I have the wedge pipe close too much.

so my question is, how do I check to see what is the right level after cleaning the skimmer. I know the air bubbles/foam should be full in the body, but how about in the neck, should it be full in the neck of the skimmer too or should it be 1/2 in the neck, or should it be go full in the beck, and in the top collection cup, be 1/2 way.

I think if the air bubbles/foam is 1/2 way in the neck, I should leave the wedge pipe like that and let it skim for 1 week to see if it overflows or not, please advice.



now with my other questions, every day I put Zeovit Coralvitializer, and every other day I put Zeovit Amino Acid HC, around 11 PM, and I feel since this skimmer is very powerfull for a 150 gallon heavy loaded tank (SPS and LPS and over 25 fish), it proberly skimps the zeovit too.

I have an APEx controller and I am planning to program it so it will have the skimmer off from 11 PM to 1 AM every single night, or maybe 3 hrs so the corals can take up the food and it wont be skimmed.


So my question is, would the life of the pump reduce, if it turns off and on every day?


Thanks

Pran

 

[Jeremy B.]

I just got the adjustable venturi for my Alpha 200. With it 3 turns out, the bubbles are breaking about 1/4" above the bottom of the collection cup. how much should the wedge pipe be closed (or does it matter)?

If anyone can explain how the 2 work together it will be much appreciated.

BTW, the skimmer is sitting at a constant 9.5" of water.

Thanks in advance for the guidance

3 turns out will work just fine on the Alpha 200. You can then start closing the wedge pipe until the desired operating water level inside the skimmer is achieved. The higher you go the more wet the skimmate will be. The lower you keep it, the more dry it will be.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Pran, any pump you turn on and off will have an overall reduced life span versus a pump that runs constantly. This is normal for any magnetic driven pump. However, the difference should not be significant, and I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

As far as the operating level goes I would start it right around the top of the collar where the cup sits on the body, to the bottom of the collection cup, this should be a very good starting point for you.

 

[Enjoy]

Hi Jeremy.
Are there any upgrades for the Alpha 200 skimmer? I read about the adjustable venturi but can't find much ordering info online. Does this really help to dial these skimmers in? Is there any other upgrades, or accessories I should know about? Should I be replacing anything for normal maintenance? seals/hose/pinwheels/etc....

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Pran]

Pran, any pump you turn on and off will have an overall reduced life span versus a pump that runs constantly. This is normal for any magnetic driven pump. However, the difference should not be significant, and I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

As far as the operating level goes I would start it right around the top of the collar where the cup sits on the body, to the bottom of the collection cup, this should be a very good starting point for you.

Thanks Jeremy

do you think having the skimmer run, while I put Zeovit coral vitalizer or Zevoit amino acid, the skimmer will take that away and not let the corals use it>


thanks

Pran

 

[larryfl1]

what is the ideal water level for the alpha 250?

i am having the sump designed for that water level

thanks