Vertex Alpha 250 Skimmer - Adjustments

[shaginwagon13]

Hey guys,

I know fine tuning a skimmer to consistently skim at the same rate/consistency is one of the more difficult things to learn to do but I have a question.

For my skimmer I can control or adjust 3 variables that affect the skimmer performance:

1) Depth of skimmer in water (According to instructions the skimmer should be in 9" of water).
2) Input water flow (by adjusting the flow-screw that sits inside the pump inlet)
3) Output water flow (by adjusting the rate at which water leaves the skimmer

My question is..... is it better to have the inlet water-flow set to the minimum to allow the smallest amount of water in (giving the water inside the skimmer the most possible time before exiting), or should I adjust the outlet water flow?

 

[shaginwagon13]

Anyone?

 

[slief]

I ran an Alpha 300 for a few years so I am very familiar with getting it dialed in.

The volute on the pumps inlet determines the amount of the bubbles and their size. It also has a minor effect on how much water goes into the skimmer. With it closed all the way, there is little to no air going into the skimmer. As you open it up, you get more air but the bubbles will start to get larger too. The more air in, the less water however as you open it it, the water level in the skimmer rises due to the additional air mixed in with the water.

With the Alpha at 9", close the pumps volute all the way, then open it 1.5 turns. Leave the wedge pipe open all the way and let it run for 24 hours. Then check to see how the foam is looking and what the skimmate looks like. From there, open the volute 1/8-1/4 turn at a time and give it several hours to settle back in. Once you get nice fluffy foam where the bubbles aren't breaking at the surface, you have the volute adjusted. From there it will be a matter of opening or closing the wedge pipe. Keep in mind that every time you put your hand in the sump and adjust the wedge pipe, the skimmer will likely stop producing foam for a while. It's essential that you give the skimmer several hours to settle back in between adjustments. If this is a new skimmer, it needs to run for a week or so to properly break in and build a good slime coat.

The Alpha's are sensitive to adjustments and like to have a constant supply of dissolved solids to skim out. Once the skimmer catches up with the waste levels in your tank, you will likely have to go back and do some fine tuning.

 

[shaginwagon13]

I ran an Alpha 300 for a few years so I am very familiar with getting it dialed in.

The volute on the pumps inlet determines the amount of the bubbles and their size. It also has a minor effect on how much water goes into the skimmer. With it closed all the way, there is little to no air going into the skimmer. As you open it up, you get more air but the bubbles will start to get larger too. The more air in, the less water however as you open it it, the water level in the skimmer rises due to the additional air mixed in with the water.

With the Alpha at 9", close the pumps volute all the way, then open it 1.5 turns. Leave the wedge pipe open all the way and let it run for 24 hours. Then check to see how the foam is looking and what the skimmate looks like. From there, open the volute 1/8-1/4 turn at a time and give it several hours to settle back in. Once you get nice fluffy foam where the bubbles aren't breaking at the surface, you have the volute adjusted. From there it will be a matter of opening or closing the wedge pipe. Keep in mind that every time you put your hand in the sump and adjust the wedge pipe, the skimmer will likely stop producing foam for a while. It's essential that you give the skimmer several hours to settle back in between adjustments. If this is a new skimmer, it needs to run for a week or so to properly break in and build a good slime coat.

The Alpha's are sensitive to adjustments and like to have a constant supply of dissolved solids to skim out. Once the skimmer catches up with the waste levels in your tank, you will likely have to go back and do some fine tuning.

Thanks so much for this.... great help!