Vertex Skimmer club

ironwill723 said:
Hey guys...thought I would post a few pics of my pump off my 1.5 year old gen II IN-280. Thing was running great until today... Pump is dead now...not sure what I am going to do. Called vertex supplier via marinedepot. Says he will send out replacement pump. Not sure if I want to use another resun pump. Some of my fish developed HLLE from the leaking current I think. All other parameters are fine, no nitrates, feeding selcon and varying their diet. I was thinking BB 5000 pump but they are almost as much as I paid for the skimmer on marinedepot. Not sure what to do.





Click to expand...

I just sent an email for the very same reason. I had a pump replaced about 5 months ago for this and now the replacement pump is leaking what looks like rust to me. I havn't removed the rear cover as you have. I don't think these pumps are getting sealed as well as they should be.

I hope they can help me before it fries my tank.
 
I have been researching skimmers for my 135 the past couple of weeks and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Vertex Gen3 IN 180 and the Aquamaxx 150. The concern I have is the pump on the Vertex. It seems like after reading this thread that you end up putting a new $150 or more pump on your $290 skimmer to make it work like it should. Is this correct, or am I missing something? I don't plan on getting a bigger tank, so only want to have to buy a skimmer once. Thanks in advance for your input.
 
The pump for me hasn't been that bad with the exception of the rust problem. The best part is the customer service. Vertex will take care of you if you have a problem with the pump. I have a replacement on the way and I am shipping my old one back for evaluation. Hopefully they will find what's going on with these.

The Vertex is truly a great skimmer and a great value.
 
2 Quick Questions

2 Quick Questions

Hi All .. I have 2 questions regarding the Vertex IN180. I bought the unit 2nd hand about a year ago and this skimmer kicks ***.

Is there a way to tell which generation it is?

and also, the skimmer is producing tiny bubbles out of the return pipe.. Is this normal or does the pump need cleaning?

Thanks
 
1 more question..

Does anyone have a problem on the start-up with the IN180's? Sometimes after cleaning the cup and plugging it back in its almost like it doesnt turn over, and I need to "choke" the intake on the pump with my hand to get it going. Other times it fires up 1st shot.


Thanks again
 
I haven't posted in this thread in a while. Currently running the Gen 3 IN-100, but the Resun pump is coming in the mail. How's the noise level on the newer pumps? The 2nd gen pumps (probably the same as the 3rd?) were pretty loud to me.

I'm thinking of running a Tunze Hydrofoamer in its place.
 
Pump Switch

Pump Switch

E.intheC said:
I haven't posted in this thread in a while. Currently running the Gen 3 IN-100, but the Resun pump is coming in the mail. How's the noise level on the newer pumps? The 2nd gen pumps (probably the same as the 3rd?) were pretty loud to me.

I'm thinking of running a Tunze Hydrofoamer in its place.
Click to expand...

Or you could use a Bubble Blaster by Coralvue, They are awesome pumps with a 3 yr warranty. The BB2000 would be my choice, I used to run a IN250 with BB3000 and it was incredable after the pump swap. JMO
Bill:headwally:
 
I've used a Bubble Blaster pump before on an SRO 1000int. It's definitely a good pump but I'm curious about the Tunze. Specifcally its noise level. I've heard its an extremely quiet pump. Plus, I like trying out new pumps. :)
 
<a href="http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a460/matthewsmoyer/?action=view&current=2011-06-04_13-10-31_465.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a460/matthewsmoyer/2011-06-04_13-10-31_465.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a460/matthewsmoyer/?action=view&current=2011-06-04_13-09-00_513.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a460/matthewsmoyer/2011-06-04_13-09-00_513.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
There are the pics of the mods I made to fit the BB5000 to the IN280. Its been running for three weeks and I am impressed with its performance. The BB5000 seems to be a nice match to the IN280's skimmer body. Would recommend using this combo.
 
tangtang clown said:
Wow. Bet that is a beast! What size tank?
Click to expand...

well it is a bit of over kill. I orginally purchaced a 200 gallon DD tank and bought the skimmer to run that system. long story short that tank didn't work out so I am now using it on a 5 foot long 120 gallon with sps and a heavy bio load.
 
How open do you run the control pipe?

With the BB3000 on my 280, I'm almost closed for wet skimming, and the whole body is not near as filled with bubbles like yours is.

Did you restrict the airline on the BB by using the stock connector at the top of the control pipe? If so you would get more air without connecting it. On my BB3000 I just left it unhooked like some have done earlier in this thread. Noise has not been an issue.
 
Just bought a IN-80 for my new FOWLR 70 gallon system after almost 2 years of excellent performance by my IN-100 on my 75 mixed reef.
I love this skimmer.I don't know why people would pay 400-800 dollars for skimmers that cant be doing much more than mine are.A cup full of slimy goo is a cup full of slimy goo yeah?
 
it is almost wide open, only slightly closed. No, I just removed the cap.

el aguila said:
How open do you run the control pipe?

With the BB3000 on my 280, I'm almost closed for wet skimming, and the whole body is not near as filled with bubbles like yours is.

Did you restrict the airline on the BB by using he stock connector at the top of the control pipe? If so you would get more air without connecting it. On my BB3000 I just left it unhooked like some have done earlier in this thread. Noise has not been an issue.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Need some help and advice......I am running an IN-180 w/ a BB 3000 on my 156 FOWLR. Thinking about upgrading my tank. How big of a tank could I use this skimmer on w/o having to think about getting a new skimmer? TIA
 
well i've been through 1st gen 180 and now a I've had a 2nd gen 180 since they came out and i just drop some coin on a bubble blaster 3000... I've loved the skimmer, but the pump isn't consistent and i clean it regularly- this thread hasn't steered my wrong before, so hopefully the bubble blaster will live up to the hype-

can anyone tell me what i need to do to adapt to 2nd gen in-180 with regards to the pump swap?
 
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