Vertex Skimmer club

I would try a 3000 also. Can you send the two bad pumps back for some kind of credit? LOL
Did you just buy the 250 new? If so, you could have saved money by buying a skimmer with a BB, instead of buying the 250 and then buying another $200 BB. I sold my sicce psk2500, but if both pumps are bad you won't be able to recoup and dough. Sorry for you troubles.
 
I tested my wattage consumption on my Vertex IN-180 this morning. With the stock pump running (Gen. 3) it consumes 35 watts, with the Bubble Blaster 3000 running it consumes 94 watts! According to CoralVue the BB 3000 should only consume 35 watts. I'm disappointed the BB 3000 is using that much electricity.
 
I bought the skimmer over a year ago, when the first pump went they replaced it but since it happened so quick I think they just sent me another 1st gen pump... This one isn't under warranty because it's probably been 13-14 months ago that I received the pump...
That's the price of the hobby... We all know how that can be.
 
sendra 9000 pump is another option other then getting a fitting to fit the input of the skimmer, as stated these are the same pumps and so is the gen-x submersible pumps
 
Rickyrooz1 said:
I tested my wattage consumption on my Vertex IN-180 this morning. With the stock pump running (Gen. 3) it consumes 35 watts, with the Bubble Blaster 3000 running it consumes 94 watts! According to CoralVue the BB 3000 should only consume 35 watts. I'm disappointed the BB 3000 is using that much electricity.
Click to expand...

Wow, 94! I will check mine to see what it is drawing. It has been a good while since I last checked, but I want to say about 35-45 watts. How many amps is is drawing?
 
Evil Nemo said:
Just a quick question and please don't flame.

What BB should I use on a Vertex 2 gen 180 and will it fit?
Click to expand...

no flame i enjoy helping people out through these skimmers, I'm sure others do as well. The lph air draw on the stock in180 pump is 720lph at 32watts. The BB1000 runs at 400-480lph (way underkill, not sure about wattage) and the BB2000 runs at 1000-1200 lph; this could be slightly overkill but I think you'd be okay. From what I've seen on these skimmers is that the pump is it's weakness. Not only because they break down but they aren't taking advantage of the bodies capability. I'd try to the BB2000, you IN180 should do some work.
 
Thanks EvMiBo, I just ordered my Bubble Blaster3000 and while I wait for it DR. Harry Lopez lent me one of his Bubble Master ATI...
 
Evil Nemo said:
Just a quick question and please don't flame.

What BB should I use on a Vertex 2 gen 180 and will it fit?
Click to expand...

Rickyrooz1 said:
I am using the Gen. 2 with the BB 3000. It's a perfect combo.
Click to expand...

evil - perhaps a 3000 then?

Ricky- Whats your wedge pipe currently set at? is it pretty close to all the way open? I ask because the BB3000 is in the range of double what the stock pumps air draw is. Just curious.
 
EvMiBo said:
evil - perhaps a 3000 then?

Ricky- Whats your wedge pipe currently set at? is it pretty close to all the way open? I ask because the BB3000 is in the range of double what the stock pumps air draw is. Just curious.
Click to expand...

The pipe is actually almost closed. I need a wider airline tube. I have the IN-180 Gen. 2 with the BB 3000 on my 120g mixed reef and the IN-180 Gen. 3 with the stock pump on my 100g frag tank and they are basically skimming the same amount! The BB 3000 was a huge improvement over the stock pump for the Gen. 2 but the Gen. 3 upgrade have made a huge difference. The bubble plate is different and the air tubing is much wider, I think Vertex may have also changed the volute. The new tubing is much bigger than the stock tubing tat came with the Gen. 2 and the plastic piece that attaches the tube to the standpipe is much bigger to accommodate for the bigger tubing. I think if I can find a tube as wide if not wider than the one that came with the Gen. 3 I'll be skimming out some nasty stuff.
 
I'm so confused with the difference between the gen 2 and 3. I've heard that the bubble plates are just a different color, different design though? Guess I misunderstood that before... I wonder what your limits are as far as lph (of air draw) through the inside diameter of tubing..? Too much math for me :spin2:

Is it possible for you or anyone else to get a picture of a gen2 and the same size skimmer at gen 3? This whole conversation makes me wonder if I should have gone BB2000 for my IN100... I'm happy with my tunze9410 so far but that BB3000 on the in180 has me thinking.
 
Gen. 3
VX-GEN3-BUBBLEPLATE.jpg

The hole in the bubble plate decrease in size as the bubbles go from the bottom up. This helps to reduce the turbulence inside the reaction chamber. The Gen. 2 has holes that are uniform throughout the bubble plate.
 
I've read through a good deal of this thread, so what's the verdict on vertex IN skimmers?

I threw this question out to Mojo in the QA thread, but I guess I'll ask it here as well.

Basically, the pump on my Euroreef is on it's last leg. At the cost of replacing it (modded RD sedra, or hydrofoamer, or BB HY-1000) it almost makes sense to just replace the skimmer with an IN-100. But reading here, it sounds like the stock pumps aren't very good. So an IN-100 + a new pump isn't as attractive of an option compared to just replacing the pump on my ER. At that cost, a SRO 1000SSS or a SWC 160 cone would be a better option.
 
phenom5 said:
I've read through a good deal of this thread, so what's the verdict on vertex IN skimmers?

I threw this question out to Mojo in the QA thread, but I guess I'll ask it here as well.

Basically, the pump on my Euroreef is on it's last leg. At the cost of replacing it (modded RD sedra, or hydrofoamer, or BB HY-1000) it almost makes sense to just replace the skimmer with an IN-100. But reading here, it sounds like the stock pumps aren't very good. So an IN-100 + a new pump isn't as attractive of an option compared to just replacing the pump on my ER. At that cost, a SRO 1000SSS or a SWC 160 cone would be a better option.
Click to expand...

imo the stock pumps are okay. but these bodies can withstand more, and it's always nice to have a quieter, more reliable pump.

Are you able to get a gen 3 IN100 without the pump (just the body)? If so I might do that and then get a BB2000 or hydrofoamer. I'm running a hydrofoamer 9410 on a gen1 in100 (out performing the stock pump), but if you're going gen 3 (best bubble plates) a bb2000 would rip most likely, although I have yet to confirm if it's overkill or not. Kind of wish I got a BB2000 to test it out since I'm seeing people ripping with bb3000s on IN180s.
 
Someone mentioned getting just the body somewhere earlier in this thread. Is this an option? And if so, where? Just the body plus a pump of my choosing may be a good option if that is an option. A quick google search didn't turn anything up, but that doesn't mean it's not out there.

**EDIT**I'm assume that person picked up the body only used, because I can't find anything.
 
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phenom5 said:
Someone mentioned getting just the body somewhere earlier in this thread. Is this an option? And if so, where? Just the body plus a pump of my choosing may be a good option if that is an option. A quick google search didn't turn anything up, but that doesn't mean it's not out there.
Click to expand...


If it can be done it's by far your best option.

I contacted premiumaquatics about it at 6-12 months ago, they basically said no due to issues with vertex only willing to sell them bodies with the pump (makes sense). Although, that was then and this is now - I'd contact any and all retailers selling the vertex skimmers and see if they can help you out. Let me know what happens... I may do the GEN3 IN100 body + BB2000 if this can be done :beer:

edit: I contacted premiumaquatics about it again. Waiting for the reply, I'll let you know.
 
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PremiumAquatics responded quickly:

"All of our IN-100 skimmers have been Gen 3 for a little while now. There really isn't much difference between the Gen 2 and Gen 3 body though, performance wise. The wedge pipes had a bigger air silencer in them which does help with the 3's, but that' not body related.

Unfortunately we can't sell just a body, I apologize. We have no way of purchasing them this way.

Jeremy Brower
Premium Aquatics, Inc."
 
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