Vertex Skimmer club

when i unplugged mine it wouldn't always restart correctly but you could hear it trying to start so if you put a couple fingers infront of pump inlet while its trying to restart that will help it start up. Worked for me even my old euroreef does same thing sometimes
 
frenchie said:
when i unplugged mine it wouldn't always restart correctly but you could hear it trying to start so if you put a couple fingers infront of pump inlet while its trying to restart that will help it start up. Worked for me even my old euroreef does same thing sometimes
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That is exactly what happens. It struggles to get going sometimes then will eventually start. Is it ok to run with the old impeller wobbleing like that until a new one arrives? Also, is there any difference in the impellers thru the 3 generations or is it just buy a new one that works with all 3 generations of pumps?( are the new impellers generation specific)
 
not sure on impellars, but as long as your skimmer starts and runs until you get new impellar it should be fine. i have had gen I and currently using Gen 3 insump 180.
 
Guys I need some help. I just set up my Vertex 180 (not cone style) in my sump. When I turned it on initially it just foamed up and blew off the top. I figured it may be too deep (around 12") so I raised it so that it was 8" deep. Same problem.

Is the only adjustment the standpipe? There is only like 1 inch that it can be moved, that doesn't seem like much.

It is a new tank and I just mixed in the salt in the sump. Is it possible that it causing the problem for now?


Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
 
What do you guys think about the Alpha 200? Any issues?

I'm thinking about putting in on a 120 which will eventually be chock full of corals. Is this overkill?
 
I think an Alpha 200 on a 120G will be way overkill.

I have the Aplha 200 on 190G of water and still think it is a little bit overkill.
 
notclear said:
I think an Alpha 200 on a 120G will be way overkill.

I have the Aplha 200 on 190G of water and still think it is a little bit overkill.
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Thanks for the advice. So now I'm looking at the Alpha 170. Any thoughts on this? I'm ok with it being a little overkill, as long as my water is pristine. I've been monkeying around with a subpar skimmer so long I want something that will not disappoint.
 
James983 said:
Guys I need some help. I just set up my Vertex 180 (not cone style) in my sump. When I turned it on initially it just foamed up and blew off the top. I figured it may be too deep (around 12") so I raised it so that it was 8" deep. Same problem.

Is the only adjustment the standpipe? There is only like 1 inch that it can be moved, that doesn't seem like much.

It is a new tank and I just mixed in the salt in the sump. Is it possible that it causing the problem for now?


Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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1 observation and 1 question. As for the observation, I think 7" of water is optimal. Now the question, yes the only adjustment is the stand pipe but you say only 1" that can be moved.... Your not trying to raise the stand pipe up and down are you? Its meant to be twisted/rotated around clockwise to raise the water level and counter clockwise to lower the water level. Sorry if I am misunderstanding you, just trying to help.
 
Who Dey, I tried turning it, lifting it, putting the return on an angle, nothing stops it from making sick foam. To the point of popping the top and foaming into the sump. I'm ready to back to my ASM. Any help is appreciated.
 
Does anyone know if there is a phone number for customer service for Vertex? I can't believe I can't control this thing.
 
RobbyVonAwesome said:
Thanks for the advice. So now I'm looking at the Alpha 170. Any thoughts on this? I'm ok with it being a little overkill, as long as my water is pristine. I've been monkeying around with a subpar skimmer so long I want something that will not disappoint.
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I have 0 experience with Alphas, but fwiw I don't recall ever hearing a bad thing about them, the red dragons run extremely efficient (18w on the 170!, thats crazy) too. Their work on the acrylic looks superb, I just can't see you being disappointed.

James983 said:
Does anyone know if there is a phone number for customer service for Vertex? I can't believe I can't control this thing.
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I've only ever asked questions on here or the place where I ordered it from (premiumaquatics.com). We should be able to help you. Can you please take a couple pictures of it, a couple with the power off, a couple with the power on?
-To me it sounds like the pump isn't getting any air to chop up... Make sure your airline is clear (and not kinked either), you can do this by taking it off and running it through some hot water for a minute or so, sometimes salt creep or other particles will build up. Again we should be able to help - this is like a huge customer service database - except we don't get paid :p
 
James983 said:
Who Dey, I tried turning it, lifting it, putting the return on an angle, nothing stops it from making sick foam. To the point of popping the top and foaming into the sump. I'm ready to back to my ASM. Any help is appreciated.
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i just read a thread with a similar problem. after talking to a distributor they found the problem was that he recently used under water epoxy and it changed the viscosity of the water.
 
Ok, so I plugged the hole on the riser and that seams to really reduce the foam. Still a healthy amount but not popping the top any more.
 
evmibo i havent used the newer line of sicce's so can't say if they are quieter, but my 2500 isn't loud at all, just the start up issue's i hate with it.

rbbyvon, the alpha 170 is very nice, only real issue was pump was too much for the body, i do believe they made a reducer nozzle which put it right in line where it should be.
the vertex in180 wold work very well on a 120 stocked system, it has been one of my favorite skimmers ive owned, was just too much skimmer for my 80g system

james are you running carbon ? any additives { epoxy ect ? } skimmer should be in 7-9" of water, and don't mix the salt in the sump,
 
Well I finally got my Vertex EX180 skimmer setup. I have not been able to find any reviews online of people using the EX skimmers but I must say I am pretty impressed. As I am just rebuilding my tank back up since my recent crash last month the tank is empty except new sand and LR. The good news is the skimmer is still pulling stuff out of the water, my old Coralife SS could never do that.

I will post some pics and a better review once I get some livestock in the tank and it is actually being put to work.
 
I have recently bought a Vertex In-80 for pretty cheap but the pump is not working (knew that before buying), it seems like the shaft or impeller is locking up in the pump. I try to plug in the pump, i can feel some slight vibration or humming when my hand is touching it. Is there a way to diagnose if the pump still good? before I buy a new impeller?

HELP LOL
 
thewire said:
I have recently bought a Vertex In-80 for pretty cheap but the pump is not working (knew that before buying), it seems like the shaft or impeller is locking up in the pump. I try to plug in the pump, i can feel some slight vibration or humming when my hand is touching it. Is there a way to diagnose if the pump still good? before I buy a new impeller?

HELP LOL
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Have you attempted to start it by helping the impeller start? - just touching it basically. Have you disassembled it yet? If not I would do that before anything. These impeller assemblies are so funky; since you're having a problem you should find something out of wack. Keep an eye for milky water - hinting that the shaft has slowly been shaving itself away. Or a broken piece which may be preventing it from start up... Either way you'll probably need a new assembly, that's what seems to solve most of the problems encountered with these. Fwiw I ran mine for about 12 months before I had the issue where the shaft started shaving itself down - it started making a horrible vibrating scream ;(. Fortunately PA is badass and replaced it for me.
 
EvMiBo said:
Have you attempted to start it by helping the impeller start? - just touching it basically. Have you disassembled it yet? If not I would do that before anything. These impeller assemblies are so funky; since you're having a problem you should find something out of wack. Keep an eye for milky water - hinting that the shaft has slowly been shaving itself away. Or a broken piece which may be preventing it from start up... Either way you'll probably need a new assembly, that's what seems to solve most of the problems encountered with these. FTW I ran mine for about 12 months before I had the issue where the shaft started shaving itself down - it started making a horrible vibrating scream ;(. Fortunately PA is badass and replaced it for me.
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Hi there

How you help the impeller to start? I took the cover off and pull the magnetic impeller out, it's pretty beat up, and shaved and what not....but is there a way to tell if the pump still good?
 
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