Royal-Exclusiv / Vertex Cone Skimmer Club

[liquidplumber]

That is a nice sump set up you have there, sounds like your intake may have been partially closed but I'm not familiar with this skimmer I know my wm150 start to do that when salt builds up on the air intake tube but never popped the top off. I am surprised no one else has responded here yet especially if these skimmers are supposed to be the cream of the crop. Any tech support from the seller or manufacture via email or phone?
A little of subject but what type of light is that on the fuge section?

 

[Jeremy B.]

Either something was added to the tank that caused the skimmer to react that way, or the air inlet is restricted somewhere causing the water level in the skimmer to shoot up and overflow.

 

[kmu]

hi guys, I got a huge problem with my Vertex Alpha cone 250... Vertex suggest 9" to 10" of water level for the skimmer. I got a constant 9.5" of water level because its between baffles.

Well my skimmer suddenly stops producing bubbles and jets water right trough the skimmer collection cup, it makes the cap dance around and splashed water all over. The first time it did it I was right in front of the tank and unplugged the unit and plugged it and it started back up perfectly.But the second time it did it nobody was close to the tank and it splashed around 50 gallons of water inside the stand and unto the wooden floor making a mess...

This is a 1 month old Vertex Alpha cone, what could be causing the trouble?

I did some test today to try to replicate the problem, the skimmer has a constant water level of 9.5" and I raise the water level to 10" it jets water right trough the collection cup... If I close the valve a little bit it does it also.

Im afraid to turn it on!!!!

Either something was added to the tank that caused the skimmer to react that way, or the air inlet is restricted somewhere causing the water level in the skimmer to shoot up and overflow.

Ok, I havent added anything to my tank, it just suddendly does it with no apparent reason. So no dosing, feeding, large water level changes in the skimmer area...

Well after reading most of the replies on this thread I might have figured out what my problem could be, please tell me what you guys think because Im risking of damaging my office wooden floor and dont know what else in the case it could overflow all night or something like that.

I had the volute white thing on the red dragon powerhead closed all the way in leaving it open for the most water possible and least bubble production, making me close the output valve up to 70% or 80% to get the water level in between the skimmer body and lowest part of the collection cup.

Now this volute closed all the way and output valve closed almost all the way also makes the water level inside the output valve too high giving it very little play room and distance between the water level inside the valve and the air inlet for the pump. Now with the water level too high inside the output valve any hiccup on the pump, skimmer body or I any other reason could make the pump suck water in trough the airline hose and make it go nuts shooting a large water volume trough the skimmer with absolutely no bubbles at all...

Could this be my problem

Now I have the white volute opened about 3 to 4 turns and the output valve opened around 50%, the water level inside the body is around 3.5" from the top of the skimmer body.

 

[Jeremy B.]

That would certainly create the issue that you're having. I would keep it where you have it now and you should be fine. If it still overflows then lower the operating water level inside the skimmer down by 1".

 

[kmu]

Ok, I havent added anything to my tank, it just suddendly does it with no apparent reason. So no dosing, feeding, large water level changes in the skimmer area...

Well after reading most of the replies on this thread I might have figured out what my problem could be, please tell me what you guys think because Im risking of damaging my office wooden floor and dont know what else in the case it could overflow all night or something like that.

I had the volute white thing on the red dragon powerhead closed all the way in leaving it open for the most water possible and least bubble production, making me close the output valve up to 70% or 80% to get the water level in between the skimmer body and lowest part of the collection cup.

Now this volute closed all the way and output valve closed almost all the way also makes the water level inside the output valve too high giving it very little play room and distance between the water level inside the valve and the air inlet for the pump. Now with the water level too high inside the output valve any hiccup on the pump, skimmer body or I any other reason could make the pump suck water in trough the airline hose and make it go nuts shooting a large water volume trough the skimmer with absolutely no bubbles at all...

Could this be my problem

Now I have the white volute opened about 3 to 4 turns and the output valve opened around 50%, the water level inside the body is around 3.5" from the top of the skimmer body.

That would certainly create the issue that you're having. I would keep it where you have it now and you should be fine. If it still overflows then lower the operating water level inside the skimmer down by 1".

Here is a picture of how the problem is/was...

With the volute opened in between 3 to 4 turns and the output valve open around 45% I have a constant water level of around 3.5" below the skimmer neck and the foam barely makes it to the top of the neck and maybe 1" to 2" into the neck of the collection cup.

Should I leave it like that, would the foam production increase?

 

[Enzel]

Just got my Alpha cone 200 today and I was wondering, the airline from the pump seems to be sucking a little bit of water in but doesn't go all the way to the pipe and it also makes a pulsing noise.

Any help with this?

Something I noticed is that when I unthreaded the nozzle 2-4 times like the manual says for an hour, it did not make this noise or seem like it was sucking water/pulsing. It started as soon as i closed the pump nozzle. Do I have to keep it unthreaded?

 

[bayoupr]

If you have it screwed all the way in your not getting the air. Screw it all the way in and then back it out two turns. Once broken in you can adjust from there. The more you turn out the more air less water and vis-versa. Killer skimmer.

 

[drdoolittle]

If you have it screwed all the way in your not getting the air. Screw it all the way in and then back it out two turns. Once broken in you can adjust from there. The more you turn out the more air less water and vis-versa. Killer skimmer.

+1, once it was broken in. it start pulling some nasty stuff.

 

[Enzel]

Thanks guys! By "turns" do you mean one one full turn (360°) or just a half turn (180°)?

 

[taklein65]

a full turn is 360°.

 

[notclear]

Just got my Alpha cone 200 today and I was wondering, the airline from the pump seems to be sucking a little bit of water in but doesn't go all the way to the pipe and it also makes a pulsing noise.

Any help with this?

Something I noticed is that when I unthreaded the nozzle 2-4 times like the manual says for an hour, it did not make this noise or seem like it was sucking water/pulsing. It started as soon as i closed the pump nozzle. Do I have to keep it unthreaded?

I have been using my cone 200 skimmer for about 10 months and which is the old type that doesn't come with the threaded nozzle. The pump started pulsing and made noise two days ago.

Can someone tell me how to fix this?

Also how can I clean the silencer? Actually do I just pour water in as I don't seem to find a way to open it?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I have been using my cone 200 skimmer for about 10 months and which is the old type that doesn't come with the threaded nozzle. The pump started pulsing and made noise two days ago.

Can someone tell me how to fix this?

Also how can I clean the silencer? Actually do I just pour water in as I don't seem to find a way to open it?

Your airline or impeller assembly is most likely clogged up some, causing the issue. Note that when I say airline, I mean anywhere from the entry point of the silencer, down to the exit point of the actual venturi, going into the impeller. All of this needs to be cleaned out. DO NOT pour water down the silencer. There is foam pad in there and you will muck it up really quick. Run a blade around the seam of the cap on the silencer to break the cap free, then pull it all apart. Once it's open clean it all out, throw away the foam, and reassemble.

 

[JRR]

Jeremy, I just had a similiar problem with my 250 and I cleaned out the hole air intake system. I washed the foam filter and immediately reinstalled. I haven't had any further problems and it seems to be working fine but it does seem like a reduced air input. Should I take out the foam?

 

[notclear]

Your airline or impeller assembly is most likely clogged up some, causing the issue. Note that when I say airline, I mean anywhere from the entry point of the silencer, down to the exit point of the actual venturi, going into the impeller. All of this needs to be cleaned out. DO NOT pour water down the silencer. There is foam pad in there and you will muck it up really quick. Run a blade around the seam of the cap on the silencer to break the cap free, then pull it all apart. Once it's open clean it all out, throw away the foam, and reassemble.

Thanks Jeremy, I will try this tonight.

 

[Enzel]

Is "green" wast being collected normal? I'm used to having a dark brown waste from my old skimmer...

 

[bayoupr]

Mine is dark green

 

[Enzel]

Mine is dark green

That what it seems like on mine now.

A couple of more questions:

1.- How do you manage to switch between wet and dry skimming? Is it by opening and closing the nozzle?

2.- is there a way to make the silicone airline a little bit bigger or buy some somewhere? The way I have the red pipe turned, it seems to be slowly pulling out the tubing from the pump

 

[bayoupr]

You can adjust wet or dry with the wedge pipe. I drilled and tapped my silencer on the side about midway up and run my air hose on the outside from the pump to a 90deg connection I screwed into the silencer where I drilled and tapped it. This way I can pulled the hose off and suck up some warm R/O water to keep the hose and ventura clean of salt creep. I do this once a week. I also silicone the bottom of the silencer where the hose used to hook up to prevent pulling in any salt air. Never liked the hose through the pipe design. PITA

 

[Enzel]

Do you have any pics of how your skimmer is set up and with the mods you've done to it?

Can I run an airline from the outside and hook it up to the ozone port to help with the pH?

 

[bayoupr]

Here is the only Mod I did