Royal-Exclusiv / Vertex Cone Skimmer Club

[Jeremy B.]

I've read some of this thread and tried adjusting my alpha 200 skimmer. It is on a 97 gallon cube which I know the skimmer is a little large for. I purchased this for a bigger upgrade that didn't happen. Any who I have the skimmer in 9" of water in sump and have Venturi 3 turns out. The skimmer has been in the box for a few years and has been running for 3 months or so. I have never been able to get anything darker than a light tea colored skim mate or it will just run dry and build up all of the funk in the neck and not put any skim mate in the neck. Anymreccomendations would be great. By the way right now the wedge pipe is all the way open. I am getting a little frustrated probably due to my own lack of knowledge on skimmers

Any chance you could post some photos of the setup? It will be hard to get this skimmer to work really well on that size tank, but it's doable to an extent. Right now your'e running extremely dry. All of the dark skimmate is building up on the riser (neck), and what little makes it to the cup is the very light tea colored skimmate as you're describing. You can start closing your wedge pipe down a little bit to raise the water level up some. This will lessen the amount of buildup on the neck, and darken out the liquid you get into the cup - to an extent! If you go too high then the skimmate will become too wet and just be light tea colored and fill up in no time. This will also make the skimmer very prone to overflowing.

Go slow and make small adjustments. After you adjust give it a half day or so before making another adjustment.

 

[fbodykiller]

The wedge pipe is all the way open right now but if I close it the slightest amount it will overflow. Sould I adjust the Venturi on the pump in or out? I have a light bioload with only 6 fish but plan to have a higher bioload later. Maybe I just need to get rid of the skimmer and purchase a smaller skimmer.

 

[Jeremy B.]

When you say close it in the smallest amount, how much is that exactly? Is that a full turn, 1/2 turn, 1/4 turn?

 

[fbodykiller]

When you say close it in the smallest amount, how much is that exactly? Is that a full turn, 1/2 turn, 1/4 turn?

The smallest amount I can turn it. Maybe a 16th

 

[Jeremy B.]

Go back 1/16 turn and let it settle then post some pictures.

 

[fbodykiller]

Here is a pic. Skimmer is off due to it overflowing last nite. Cups full of clear water.

 

[fbodykiller]

Go back 1/16 turn and let it settle then post some pictures.

I didn't see this. The wedge pipe is all the way open. So that's not an option. Should I tighten Venturi onnthe pump?

 

[Jeremy B.]

As it's overflowing is it also shooting out air bubble from the wedge pipe where the water exits?

 

[fbodykiller]

I'm not sure. Never noticed. I will have to pay more attention to that. What if it is?

 

[scubabum1983]

I'm joining the club. I'm getting an older used first gen alpha 200. The version with 2 ports for pump intake and grey threaded neck vs newer white neck. Is there anything that I need to keep an eye on? Anything that may need to be preventitivly rebuilt? Or known issues with fixes. Its approximately 3 years old. Thanks

 

[h.cordero]

Jeremy been thinking in the skimmer for my new system, it will consist of DT 450gal + 200gal sump/fuge. But i dont know which skimmer to choose.. Whats the diference between a BK Supermarine and a BK Delux? If you could help would be appreciate!
Thanks

 

[120reefermadnes]

Hey, I have a reef system that totals about 150gal and is all acros with a few zoas and a couple mushrooms here n there.
Im looking for a new skimmer and was looking at the 170
how deep does the 170 have to be in the water, what depth have you who own them found most success?
My skimmer section has a water depth of just under "11, will that be enough?

 

[Jeremy B.]

@h. cordero - I would opt for the Super Marin in my opinion. You're on the line between the 250 and 300. The 300 would most likely be the best option for you, but you could get by with the 250 as well.

@120reefermadnes - You'll have the best luck with the 170 between 8.5 and 9.5. Anything at 10" and deeper will cause the skimmer to overflow and you will not have any control over it.

 

[h.cordero]

What are the diference between th BK Supermarin and the BK Delux?

 

[ArmanS]

Jeremy, I have a red sea s 650 coming and I want to upgrade the skimmer. It is 175g total water volume, will be heavily stocked SPS tank with lots of fish. I was thinking between the 170, or 200.

Or will the Omega be a good choice as well?

So what should I get, Omega 150, alpha 170 or alpha 200.

Thanks !

 

[Jeremy B.]

@h.cordero - The BK Deluxe line is a bubble plate and cylinder body with a coned neck. This line also incorporates a telescoping wedge pipe instead of the standard wedge pipe, and also comes in an external model. The SM line uses a coned bubble plate and coned neck, but only has a standard wedge pipe. In my personal opinion the Super Marin line of skimmers is one of the best designs on the market to date.

@ArmanS - The Alpha 200 would probably be my first choice for your system, and then the Alpha 170 next. I think the Omega 150 might be right on the borderline of being too small for that size tank that is all sps.

 

[ArmanS]

Okay perfect! Thanks for the quick update! Will go with the 200!

 

[h.cordero]

Thanks Jeremy, for the help

 

[Jeremy B.]

You're welcome!

 

[agv180]

as is use with ozone?