Vertex Skimmer club

[SaltwaterAdict]

If you get a chance check out how beautiful the new Vertex IN 180 gen 3 is! You can access it through premium aquatics. Notice how the changed the bubbleplate/silencer/PUMP. Here's a pic: http://premiumaquatics.com/prodimages/proline/VX-IN180-GEN3LG.jpg. It's really is an amazing skimmer for the price and it started skimming immediately!

 

[poolkeeper1]

Gen 3

Gen 3

If you get a chance check out how beautiful the new Vertex IN 180 gen 3 is! You can access it through premium aquatics. Notice how the changed the bubbleplate/silencer/PUMP. Here's a pic: http://premiumaquatics.com/prodimages/proline/VX-IN180-GEN3LG.jpg. It's really is an amazing skimmer for the price and it started skimming immediately!

From that picture it looks just like the Resun pump on all the other Gen models? Any Skimmer you buy operates better after it gets a slime coating of bacteria on the internal parts, This is a fact not opinion. You will always get better production after the skimmer breaks in, And it's the same for all skimmers.
It's a nice looking skimmer but not all that much changed IMO
Bill:wave:

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

I agree it takes a few day to a week tops build up a slime coat inside the body. The owner of Reefspecialty who sells them told me it takes anywhere from a 3 wks to a month to build up the. Now that is obviously not true! If a skimmer does take that long to work properly it's not worth bothering with. I thought the cone skimmer looked nice just like you, thought it was the best thing out there, hooked it up and endless problems with the Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 cone. Sure it looks nice, but that's it...at least for me! :hammer:

 

[reeftec]

@saltwater addict
I share the same experience with the SRO 3000, I ended up forking up a little more & got the Alpha 170 last month, now that was money well spent.
I actually can't even hear the skimmer anymore.
I have a IN-100 on my 40 breeder works well & great value, but no way I would pay almost 700 bucks on a chinese made skimer again.
That was an expensive lesson for me.
As far as the rust with the BB pumps we have 3 people in our club that had the rust, the problem with these pumps is that the nut is encased in the body so if they rust the motor-block is garbage.
I personally would not buy one & think that the reason for forums like this is to share our experience with different products & reefkeeping methods & not have to listen to a sales person saying something is good or not, so I actually appreciate hearing negative & positive.

 

[poolkeeper1]

That's good advice

That's good advice

@saltwater addict
I share the same experience with the SRO 3000, I ended up forking up a little more & got the Alpha 170 last month, now that was money well spent.
I actually can't even hear the skimmer anymore.
I have a IN-100 on my 40 breeder works well & great value, but no way I would pay almost 700 bucks on a chinese made skimer again.
That was an expensive lesson for me.
As far as the rust with the BB pumps we have 3 people in our club that had the rust, the problem with these pumps is that the nut is encased in the body so if they rust the motor-block is garbage.
I personally would not buy one & think that the reason for forums like this is to share our experience with different products & reefkeeping methods & not have to listen to a sales person saying something is good or not, so I actually appreciate hearing negative & positive.

+1 and every Co out there has lemons no matter who they are! The overall concenses is what matters and Price. You get what you pay for IMO
Bill:wave:

 

[chatyak]

Should I get the GEN 3 Vertex 180 or the Super Reef XP 2000 Internal?

I have a 125 gallon with:

1 yellow tang
1 hippo tang
1 six line wrasse
2 clowns
A few coral sps/lps

New sump will be around 40-60 gallons.


Currently I am getting about 1-2 inches of skimmate every.... 2-3 weeks? I feel it should be pulling way more out, especially since I am dealing with an algae issue at the moment. I don't know..

Thanks!

 

[tangtang clown]

Chatyak, what skimmer are you currently running?

 

[chatyak]

Hello Tang,

I have a LifeReef SVS-24 - rated up to 250 gallons with a Mag Drive 9 pump.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Chatyak you can't go wrong with the Vertex IN-180. The Super Reef Octopus skimmers are very new and haven't been thoroughly tested hence why there is so many problems. Noisy pumps is a big one! The head foam was not consistent whatsoever and I had to constantly tinker with the gatevalve. For the money like Poolkeeper keeps saying is not true IMO The vertex is way less and you don't have to deal with headaches along the way. The Bubbleblaster pump "RUSTS", poolkeeper was shaking that off like it was nothing and I think that could lead to catastrophic problems in no time. If you don't want to gamble with your livestock then I handsdown would not buy an SRO XP cone skimmer. I do not represent any company whatsoever and this is my personal experience. If you look around the forums about SRO skimmers you will notice problems keep popping up everywhere. Go with a skimmer that's been around for awhile and has been properly tested. I made the mistake of previously going with the Super Reef Octopus Cone skimmer and it was a nightmare to say the least. My vertex pulls consistently the nasty stuff and I don't even feed my fish heavily so you know it's doing it's job. Look ^^ and see "reeftec's" experience, he had very similar issues with the Octopus cone. I like the hear the good and the bad and with a little research chatyak you can see people's experience with the cone. FYI, the new vertex's pumps are incredibly silent and are NOT the Resun pumps like POolkeeper says they are. It was the first pump on the gen 1 and of course they made major improvement with the NEW gen 3. Good luck with whatever route you go. Every new skimmer is going to have some issues so that's why they test and formulate what they need to improve on. SRO XP cone skimmers have just been released and it looks like they didn't put enough time into the finish product. IMHO That's why I sold mine and bought a tried and true skimmer that people have been very pleased with. HTH :thumbsup:

 

[chatyak]

Thanks for the detailed description! What kind of livestock do you have in your tank? I feed heavily (I would assume) and I just want something without too much hassle, and consistent skimming each week.

Are you saying the Gen 3 Vertex does not have pump issues? I read through this thread a little bit and noticed some people had their pumps die on them - but as you said, that's only Gen 1?

 

[stanlalee]

Chatyak you can't go wrong with the Vertex IN-180. The Super Reef Octopus skimmers are very new and haven't been thoroughly tested hence why there is so many problems. Noisy pumps is a big one! The head foam was not consistent whatsoever and I had to constantly tinker with the gatevalve. For the money like Poolkeeper keeps saying is not true IMO The vertex is way less and you don't have to deal with headaches along the way. The Bubbleblaster pump "RUSTS", poolkeeper was shaking that off like it was nothing and I think that could lead to catastrophic problems in no time. If you don't want to gamble with your livestock then I handsdown would not buy an SRO XP cone skimmer. I do not represent any company whatsoever and this is my personal experience. If you look around the forums about SRO skimmers you will notice problems keep popping up everywhere. Go with a skimmer that's been around for awhile and has been properly tested. I made the mistake of previously going with the Super Reef Octopus Cone skimmer and it was a nightmare to say the least. My vertex pulls consistently the nasty stuff and I don't even feed my fish heavily so you know it's doing it's job. Look ^^ and see "reeftec's" experience, he had very similar issues with the Octopus cone. I like the hear the good and the bad and with a little research chatyak you can see people's experience with the cone. FYI, the new vertex's pumps are incredibly silent and are NOT the Resun pumps like POolkeeper says they are. It was the first pump on the gen 1 and of course they made major improvement with the NEW gen 3. Good luck with whatever route you go. Every new skimmer is going to have some issues so that's why they test and formulate what they need to improve on. SRO XP cone skimmers have just been released and it looks like they didn't put enough time into the finish product. IMHO That's why I sold mine and bought a tried and true skimmer that people have been very pleased with. HTH :thumbsup:

Little bias dont you think? To mention pump problems and lack of testing before release to advocate for a Vertex is simply laughable (seeing as 90% of the skimmer design was already done with euroreef the pump was the ONLY thing they needed to get right and has been its biggest detractor from day one and well into the 2nd gen too).

 

[poolkeeper1]

If the Vertex Version 3 is brand new? How is that tried and true????? You keep mentioning me by name, I really have no horse in this race and would like you to stop using me as your example of what you think is best. I have no connection to either of these Co's and at this point could care less what you do or don't do.
I'm also going to throw 6 nuts into my tank today, Same size as the BB pumps have and i will post pictures of my tank every week for ever if I have to just to prove you wrong!
It seems these threads always turn into just the opposite of what they were meant to be so ADIOS...
Bill

 

[FishGuy5]

Saltwater Add: The gen 3 doesn't have an improved pump. This is straight from Vertex. The changes are in the bubble plate. I'm feeling the BB is the way to go w/ these skimmers based on the results of people here on the board. You don't need to be referring back to someone elses' experience and what they are recommending. Again, there are no improvements at all to the pump-this is straight from the manufacture. =

 

[poolkeeper1]

Hmmm

Hmmm

Saltwater Add: The gen 3 doesn't have an improved pump. This is straight from Vertex. The changes are in the bubble plate. I'm feeling the BB is the way to go w/ these skimmers based on the results of people here on the board. You don't need to be referring back to someone elses' experience and what they are recommending. Again, there are no improvements at all to the pump-this is straight from the manufacture. =

Well if that don't beat all i just don't know what does!!! Thanks Fishguy for doing due diligence in bringing out the truth Hah...
Bill:uzi:

 

[chatyak]

Do you have a link fishguy as to where Vertex states this? I can't find that information.

 

[FishGuy5]

I've been in constant email confirmation w/ the Vertex people the last 2 weeks.

 

[reeftec]

The pump is not changed.
The body is, I also asked Vertex directly about this. that was the reason why I bought the SRO, which for me was a mistake.
I would still say Vertex is way better value & service.
If you want value Vertex, if you want to spend more money , spend a bit more & get a good skimmer.
There are many options out there ATB, alpha cone, I-tech.......
no need to spend more than 600 on a skimmer that comes out of the same factory as Vertex.just my 2 cent.
Yes they also confirmed that Honya OEMs the IN line for them.

I personally think BB was a good attempt at copying askol but they cheaped out on the components.
difference in price between the Ti screws that bubble king uses and stainless steel from Honya is probably cents, but it does add up & that is how asain manufacturers make products cheaper.
Does not matter how good the pump, the rust issue is unacceptable.it is simply cutting corners knowing this will happen, I wouldnot buy from a manufacturer with this type of mentality. The rusty screw you can see in a month, if they designed & made the rest of the pump the same way cheaping out on every component, I don't want to know what will break inside in 6 months.
However as many stated it is free market and you never know until you try
Hopefully they are listening to us & changing things for better, but I am not going to be their beta tester again.
another point people tend to defend the product they are using, we are all passionate about our hobby & how wemanage our tanks & tend to act that way.
personally I think the difference between them so little not worth arguing over.
see what is your budget & buy what you are comfortable to spend.
What is for sure is that the more you spend the better product you get.
but inthis case to pay double for SRO over vertex is not justified since you are getting the same thing touched & made by the same hands.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Something breaking

Something breaking

The pump is not changed.
The body is, I also asked Vertex directly about this. that was the reason why I bought the SRO, which for me was a mistake.
I would still say Vertex is way better value & service.
If you want value Vertex, if you want to spend more money , spend a bit more & get a good skimmer.
There are many options out there ATB, alpha cone, I-tech.......
no need to spend more than 600 on a skimmer that comes out of the same factory as Vertex.just my 2 cent.
Yes they also confirmed that Honya OEMs the IN line for them.

I personally think BB was a good attempt at copying askol but they cheaped out on the components.
difference in price between the Ti screws that bubble king uses and stainless steel from Honya is probably cents, but it does add up & that is how asain manufacturers make products cheaper.
Does not matter how good the pump, the rust issue is unacceptable.it is simply cutting corners knowing this will happen, I wouldnot buy from a manufacturer with this type of mentality. The rusty screw you can see in a month, if they designed & made the rest of the pump the same way cheaping out on every component, I don't want to know what will break inside in 6 months.
However as many stated it is free market and you never know until you try
Hopefully they are listening to us & changing things for better, but I am not going to be their beta tester again.
another point people tend to defend the product they are using, we are all passionate about our hobby & how wemanage our tanks & tend to act that way.
personally I think the difference between them so little not worth arguing over.
see what is your budget & buy what you are comfortable to spend.
What is for sure is that the more you spend the better product you get.
but inthis case to pay double for SRO over vertex is not justified since you are getting the same thing touched & made by the same hands.

I agree with most you said but as far as something breaking, The 3 year warranty pretty much the best in the hobby will satisfy me in the event of a major malfunction. I have been using these pumps from the release and all sizes and have not had one problem that was not addressed immediately by MFG. I also think people should buy what ever they want and not force their decision on anyone else, Just share their experience with others if they choose to do so. Truthfully every pump made has Issues and will wear out it's just a matter of how much you want to spend on a item or are able to.
As far as the rusty nuts go they have been replaced with better quality ones on all new models! And if you have a pump with any rust they will send you a new Volute assembly or what ever you need to fix the Issue. Can't do much more than that, Good customer service IMO. Vertex on the other hand just keeps sending you another of the same lousy pumps IMO What ever version it is. That's what they did to me anyway, Along with many others that have posted on this thread.:blown: If I had the Cash i would buy a Red Dragon but all of us are not rich...:hammer:
Bill:lolspin:

 

[frenchie]

i still like vertex skimmer design cause i also have a euroreef skimmmer so for the price i would still buy another vertex and research another pump to use with it. If i switch to another brand skimmer it will be swc cone skimmers 160 or 180 model cone.

 

[chatyak]

i still like vertex skimmer design cause i also have a euroreef skimmmer so for the price i would still buy another vertex and research another pump to use with it. If i switch to another brand skimmer it will be swc cone skimmers 160 or 180 model cone.

I am looking into getting the 160 cone myself.