Vertex Skimmer club

I have a Gen2 in100 if I install a hydrofoamer pump will this skimmer handle a larger bio load if so how much bigger . This will be on a 90 gal. Will a differant pump work better
 
I have a Gen2 in100 if I install a hydrofoamer pump will this skimmer handle a larger bio load if so how much bigger . This will be on a 90 gal. Will a differant pump work better

Yes, I'm taking out at least a cup of of yellow tea colored water per day (wet skimming). Before with my stock pump it was difficult to get this much per day and much less consistent. (i am running the hydrofoamer 9410 on a gen1 in100)... Check out a couple pages before, I uploaded pictures and breifly explained the install. As far as how much larger of a bioload I don't know to be honest. What did you plan on adding? What's your current NO3, PO4 readings etc? Mine is on a 50g display with ~10-15g in sump. I'd prefer to see a in180 on a 90g display but I think it's worth a try on the BB2000... Something that's been coming up lately - and something I kind of wish I tried - although it may be overkill. :hmm4:

DOES ANYONE RUN A IN100 WITH A BB2000?!?
 
I have read the thread and I know that the bubble blaster 3000 was the pump recommended for the In180, 250 and 280 skimmers. I don't understand how the IN180 and IN280 could handle the same BB pump. Has anyone put an BB 5000 on the the IN280. I cant find a whole lot of difference between the super reef octopus 5000 internal and vertex IN280 body style.
 
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as i had stated earlier in this thread, even the sicce psk 600 would be really nice on the in100, i use a atb mini airstar on mine with small pp wheel and this thing is a monster, would easily handle a heavy stocked 120g system as where the factory pump just didnt have the air numbers 420 lpm i think is factory pump and my airstar is pulling around 650lpm and is a perfect fit on air, the sicce 2500 would work well also
 
I have read the thread and I know that the bubble blaster 3000 was the pump recommended for the In180, 250 and 280 skimmers. I don't understand how the IN180 and IN280 could handle the same BB pump. Has anyone put an BB 5000 on the the IN280. I cant find a whole lot of difference between the super reef octopus 5000 internal and vertex IN280 body style.

Since people are using the bb3000 on the in180 I think using the bb5000 on the in280 would be just fine and will probably give you the best results. The lph's don't match up at all really (IN280 stock pump = 1140lph, BB5000= 2100-2400lph) but according to the numbers I think the BB3000 should be overkill for the IN180 and it obviously isn't. Again, I think these bodies can take a lot more than what the stock pump is providing... Still kind of wishing I went BB2000 on my in100 haha, I'm taking donations ;)
 
as i had stated earlier in this thread, even the sicce psk 600 would be really nice on the in100, i use a atb mini airstar on mine with small pp wheel and this thing is a monster, would easily handle a heavy stocked 120g system as where the factory pump just didnt have the air numbers 420 lpm i think is factory pump and my airstar is pulling around 650lpm and is a perfect fit on air, the sicce 2500 would work well also

I'm a dumb a** when it comes to skimmers what does lph mean I have heard of scfh How much deos the sicco psk 600 do around the same as as your mini star just a newer pump. So in your opinion a psk 600 driven n100 will keep up with a 90 gal heavy stock mixed reef How much scfh does the stock pump pull vrs psk 600
 
I have to say that I'm totally happy with my Bubble Blaster 3000. Thanks for the advice guys. The pump came in yesterday and it was a quick install, it's a lot more quite than the stock pump and it went straight to work... Just got home and I see a good amount of skimmate in the collection cup.
 
what are you running in it?


n/m I found it sorry :/

it's no prob. for anyone else that is curious but doesn't feel like searching I got a tunze 9410. Don't get me wrong I love it. But I've become a skimmer pump mod addict lately and feel for the extra ~$40 I may be getting better results... That being said - the tunze operates at 11-15w I guess I'm going green. :bounce3: If I had more of an income I would buy a bb200 as well and compare... 1 more year of college.
 
hi guys, I got a huge problem with my Vertex Alpha cone 250... Vertex suggest 9" to 10" of water level for the skimmer. I got a constant 9.5" of water level because its between baffles.

Well my skimmer suddenly stops producing bubbles and jets water right trough the skimmer collection cup, it makes the cap dance around and splashed water all over. The first time it did it I was right in front of the tank and unplugged the unit and plugged it and it started back up perfectly.But the second time it did it nobody was close to the tank and it splashed around 50 gallons of water inside the stand and unto the floor making a mess...

This is a 1 month old Vertex Alpha cone, what could be causing the trouble?

I did some test today to try to replicate the problem, the skimmer has a constant water level of 9.5" and I raise the water level to 10" it jets water right trough the collection cup... If I close the valve a little bit it does it also.

Im afraid to turn it on!!!!

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I have zero experience with these skimmer (although I'd like to)... It looks deep to me but again I don't have any experience with these or cones in general. That being said, I'd try lowering it to 8.5" or 9".. Just in case I'd also disconnect the the air hose and run it through some warm water from your sink (maybe some salt creep or some other debris is in there and preventing max air from entering?). You may be able to move it back to 9.5" if you want later on but running it on the shallower end is always a good idea in the first couple months when the pump breaks in.

edit: do all alphas run with the exit pipe (horizontal white) completely submerged?? I know I run my vertex half in and half out to prevent back pressure to the pump... I wonder if you're starting a siphon back into the skimmer...??

btw- really like your sump, I'm jealous.. what are it's dimensions?
 
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I'm running the tunze hydrofoamer on my in100 first gen and the first few days it was kinda noisy. But now i have to check it to make sure it's running! I still don't think I have it dialed in right cause bubble height seems to wanna change. It's been running about 2 weeks now maybe that will change soon.
Seems to be pulling more junk out everyday.

Pump was expensive but so far skimmer is working alot better than stock pump(which went out on me)
 
I'm running the tunze hydrofoamer on my in100 first gen and the first few days it was kinda noisy. But now i have to check it to make sure it's running! I still don't think I have it dialed in right cause bubble height seems to wanna change. It's been running about 2 weeks now maybe that will change soon.
Seems to be pulling more junk out everyday.

Pump was expensive but so far skimmer is working alot better than stock pump(which went out on me)
 
I have to say that I'm totally happy with my Bubble Blaster 3000. Thanks for the advice guys. The pump came in yesterday and it was a quick install, it's a lot more quite than the stock pump and it went straight to work... Just got home and I see a good amount of skimmate in the collection cup.

hey there, just curious what exactly your install curtailed, and any others that have a BB?
 
A couple of weeks ago I put a BB 3000 on my 280 Gen I. It is better than the stock pump, but I'm not overly impressed. If one of these skimmers could handle a BB 5000 - I would think that that would be the way to go.
 
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