Vertex Skimmer club

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?
 
I got my pump and installed- only piece needed was a PVC plumbing adapter for 1' (female slip/slip male) running now.
 
Sorry guys... Not that I could've helped much, but I just now saw that question and am glad that you got it figured out. That's one of those questions that really require the pump in hand, pipe that feeds into the the bubble plate section of the skimmer, and a trip to the hardware store. :) I did the same thing, but with a Laguna/Askoll 1500. I have the bigger model and it did pretty well on it. I'd imagine that BB3000 pump will rock and roll that IN-180! Wouldn't mind seeing some skimmate production from it. ::hint::

One thing I did notice about the BB pumps that's different from the Laguna (other than sheer air/water ratios, of course... that's a battle I choose to veer clear of)... The BB pumps put off a lower vibration-type noise that you have to get used to. Especially if you have the pump sitting on the floor of the sump. The Laguna doesn't seem to be as "loud," for lack of better words.

Either way, glad you found something that works for you. I wish the Vertex powers-that-be would read this thread and see that we're getting tired of their shotty pumps...
 
I am thinking about upgrading my IN-180. Is the BB 3000 the best choice? Is therea close second? Are there any other mods to consider?

Thanks
Jason
 
Vertex IN-180 caused small flood

Vertex IN-180 caused small flood

First off - I love my Vertex IN-180 as well...however it caused a small but damaging flood just over a week ago and I have not restarted it yet. It has been set and running coming up to 2 years; all stock, no mods. When I went to check the tank the skimmer was way over skimming and water was pouring and splashing out of the top of the collection cup. This was completely out of the blue; no changes had been made to the skimmer setting in a long time and the water level in the sump did not change (ATO). The water splashed onto the floor and eventually ran under my laminate flooring in the next room and has caused a bit of swelling in the corners of the planks. My wife is not happy! I will be putting up protective plastic around the sump so that if this happened again the splashed water would just hit the plastic and fall back into the sump.
I just wish I could figure out what caused it to go crazy! :headwally:
 
New to the vertex skimmer club, just got my new to me in100 , think its a gen 3 not sure how to tell, if someone knows let me know, also have unit in 7" of water and been up and running for 4 days and not much skimmate , have the valve almost closed to get water up the neck, my question is we're should the water level be set, as far as up the neck, below the bottom of the collection cup? Thanks for your help
 
Craigsmini said:
New to the vertex skimmer club, just got my new to me in100 , think its a gen 3 not sure how to tell, if someone knows let me know, also have unit in 7" of water and been up and running for 4 days and not much skimmate , have the valve almost closed to get water up the neck, my question is we're should the water level be set, as far as up the neck, below the bottom of the collection cup? Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

if I remember correctly the bubble plate is a bit different from the gen1 and gen2's. also, the bubbles from the pump are directly fed into the skimmer instead of a 90 degree like gen1's. there may be more but I can't remember at the moment. I still have my gen1. And it's always performed better in 8" of water, I imagine it'd be the same for a gen3. It'll also take more than 4 days to truly get your pump dialed in, so be patient :thumbsup:
 
well it is time for a new pump for my gen 1 in-250 there is just to many pages to look at right now. what are your thought ?

i don't like running the take without a skimmer
 
Too bad the 3 year warranty is non transferable.. A big piece of the BB purchase is the great warranty that comes with normally.
 
Does anyone have an in280 with an askoll 1500. My stock pump just died and I have an askoll 1500 laying around. I'm trying to get an idea on how to mount the pump because the outlet is much higher then the stock pump. Is my only option is to lift the skimmer body?
 
Can anyone share their experience in upgrading an IN-180 with a BubbleBlaster pump?
Specifically, I am considering the BB3000 or the BB2000. Is the 3000 too large?

Your opinion and experience on sizing the Bubbleblasters to the IN-180 would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!
 
JACOXVIII said:
well it is time for a new pump for my gen 1 in-250 there is just to many pages to look at right now. what are your thought ?

i don't like running the take without a skimmer
Click to expand...

Have you looked into the BB5000? Your 250 might may rip if the specs line up.

zigzag1 said:
Can anyone share their experience in upgrading an IN-180 with a BubbleBlaster pump?
Specifically, I am considering the BB3000 or the BB2000. Is the 3000 too large?

Your opinion and experience on sizing the Bubbleblasters to the IN-180 would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly people are upgrading to the 3000 with the IN180. It has more air suction than the stock vertex pump (720 vs 1200-1500 lph) but I'm almost positive that the body can handle it. The 3000 will shread water with the 180 body. You could probably have great results with the 2000 as well (1000-1200 lph) but I think you'd get the highest quality skimming with the 3000. If you search through the thread pages there's several 180 owners making the upgrade - Best of luck.
 
Last edited:
Can anyone with a Vertex 180 and BB 3000 tell me at what water level you have the skimmer in? I've had an overflowing skimmer the past week. I have mine in 10" of water.
 
FishGuy5 said:
Can anyone with a Vertex 180 and BB 3000 tell me at what water level you have the skimmer in? I've had an overflowing skimmer the past week. I have mine in 10" of water.
Click to expand...

I do not have a 180 and therefore no need for a bb3000. That being said I've modded my IN100 with different pumps a couple of times and the concept is similar. Your water level is way to high for this powerful, aftermarket pump. I would try 8" first. If you're not satisfied try 7.5" then 7". Keep your wedge pipe towards the "open" side and dial that puppy in.

Out of curiosity what size system are you running this on? A 180 with bb3000 is a nice skimmer and could handle some fairly large tanks when dialed in correctly.
 
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