Vertex Skimmer club

[jonnybravo22]

I joined the club with a Vertex In-80!

Here are some pictures of the skimmer I got this weekend, using it for my nano system. Note that i have a VERY low bioload at the moment. these pictures were from a few hours in there with just 2 clowns... and most of the ~40g of water in the system was made from fresh RO/DI water a week prior b/c i just set the tank up. So far I'm very pleased with this skimmer. Click the red house for my build thread with more pics.

Pump

Pinwheel impeller

First dropped into the sump

After 16 hours

I'm using the method of tilting the output so that it's half in half out of the water. Read that's a good way to reduce (...something bad that i forget).

 

[mojo~]

looks good. Nice little setup you have.

 

[EvMiBo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15189454#post15189454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jonnybravo22
I'm using the method of tilting the output so that it's half in half out of the water. Read that's a good way to reduce (...something bad that i forget).

Nice setup! It reduces head pressure and therefore helps the skimmer run more consistent. Enjoy

 

[mojo~]

Ok, I thought I would finally post some pics of what I have going on. I am meshing out the 180 just to see what it will do. I havent hooked it up but here is what I have done thus far.

first pics of it running with pinwheel stock.

Pulling a good amount of air stock.
Now for cutting up the pinwheel

I just took a knife with a razor blade in it and it cut off all the pins just fine.

 

[mojo~]

sorry took pics with phone as I was in a hurry. but you get the idea. I then trimmed down the knubs. I well put it on a lathe but you can just trim them down the best you can with a knife.

Then I had to drill the extra holes for attaching the mesh.

I like to use fishing line for best results. but to make it easy I used really small zip ties.
I then put the mesh on and used my knife to trim the inside and a scissors to trim the outside diameter.

you will have to trim it right up to the wheel if anyone else does this because there isnt enough room for it to hang over. it would hit the pump housing. I am going to throw it in a bucket for a hour or so. then recheck the mesh. Then ill hook it up to the skimmer and check the results.
More to come....

Mojo~

 

[EvMiBo]

looking really good, can't wait to see the results.

 

[mojo~]

should have something up in a couple hours. I have meshed one or two pinwheels in my life. lol.

 

[frenchie]

sweet, curious to see those numbers

 

[mojo~]

ok just hooked it back up

Here is what I have

So I think this is what I was looking for. I did make a custom venturi that I havent used yet. I am pulling about 40 scfh with it now with only the mesh mod. I will play around with hte venturi I made to see if it has anymore left.I made a copy of the stock one for the most part so i could mod it a little and not hurt the stock one. So I hope you all find this useful. No startup issues at all. not even a chatter. I ll check the wattage on it tomorrow.

Mojo~

 

[frenchie]

thanks for the info on vertex mods mojo your awesome, nice work on skimmer reviews

 

[mojo~]

Thanks, Its no problem. This is the third vertex skimmer since I started this thread. The gen 1 in 100, gen 2 in 100 and gen 2 180.
I know that the mesh mod is as old as they come but some pumps and venturi's just dont allow the pump to do any better. So we will see.

 

[frenchie]

so do you think gen 2 models are big improvement on performance or not. I like the short bubble plate so there is more contact time for bubbles and air silencer looks nice and i'm sure it should get a little better perfomance being plumbed straight in without elbow interfering with flow.

 

[frenchie]

i'm gonna probally buy gen 2 model and put gen 1 on my 75 gallon possibly or just maybe try a cone skimmer by vertex.

 

[mojo~]

The elbow puts a lot of restriction on the pump. I might wait on the cone until they come out. makes sure they get all the bugs worked out. Air draw ect... I like the gen 2 in series. How many other skimmers can pull 40 scfh under $300. THe msx 200 is the ony one I can think of. But the pump has a hard time starting on mesh.

 

[jonnybravo22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15190803#post15190803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
looks good. Nice little setup you have.

Thanks mojo!! and thanks again for being a great resource!

 

[mojo~]

Np and thank you.

 

[mojo~]

well this morning I had to lower the water level down a bit. skimming a little wetter than I like. I will say I am not sure the neck could handle any more air than what it is pulling now. Oh I used 3 layers of flatback mesh. For those that may want to know. I think 2 would work just fine as well.

Mojo~

 

[tangtang clown]

MOJO
Do you have any new pics of your mesh running?

 

[mojo~]

Ill take some here in abit. I just cleaned the cup last night. I had it running just a bit wtter than I normally do. Had half a collection cup full. in 36 hrs!!!

 

[tangtang clown]

Man. It would take me two weeks or more to fill up my OCTO extreme 200 cup on my 75 gal. What the flip are you putting in that tank?