Vertex Skimmer club - Page 30

JokerGirl · 01/13/2009, 07:44 PM

Just picked up a Vertex 100 for my 55g Eel/Puffer tank (finally). Got it installed and running... seems to be doing great! I just cleaned the glass, and within 30 minutes, I had to empty the cup! This tank has never had a skimmer on it, so I expect to be emptying the cup fairly often for a while.

Here's some photos. It's been running roughly around 4 hours now. Please keep in mind that I purposely didn't clean my glass for the last week in anticipation of getting this thing set up.

tangtang clown · 01/13/2009, 07:56 PM

Pump a sicce on one of these and forget about the pump probs. I bet this would be a killer combo!
Moon
IS THE IN 180 CUP INTERCHANGEABLE WITH THE OCTO X 200 CUP?

tangtang clown · 01/14/2009, 07:27 AM

"Put"

newmoon · 01/14/2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Moon
IS THE IN 180 CUP INTERCHANGEABLE WITH THE OCTO X 200 CUP? [/B]

Yup!

tangtang clown · 01/14/2009, 03:39 PM

Cool, do you know anywhere that sells the cup seperately? I have emailed a couple places and no luck yet. Thanks.

lifemaker · 01/14/2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpc763
I don't think you will be able to find the manufacturer info. I would suggest contacting Premium Aquatics and asking how to resolve. You may have to purchase a new impeller assembly.

Just got an IM for Jeremy, looks like I'll have to shell out $35 Plus $10 shipping for a new impeller, which won't be in till later this week....

Well i don't blame them since it's not their fault (instead me being cheap) but i wish i had gone with the Octopus NW150 or the Bubble Magus BM100...

tangtang clown · 01/14/2009, 03:58 PM

bummer

lifemaker · 01/14/2009, 04:02 PM

*from

Crustman · 01/14/2009, 10:04 PM

Now I am getting worried; my IN-100 pump has stopped twice and now it is very loud. The times that it stopped, I just turned the impellar with my finger and it started up again. Did anyone see the little warning label on the pump for risk of shock saying that it has not been investigated for use in swimming pool or marine areas. Where are they tested? Koi ponds? Guppy tanks? What pump will replace this one if I can't get it fixed and how much will it cost? I will try cleaning it this weekend. It is sure doing a nice job skimming even with the noise.

frenchie · 01/15/2009, 12:39 AM

must of been some problems with insump 100's my 180 still goin strong no issues.

Bryan · 01/15/2009, 01:21 AM

Read earlier in the thread, there is a known issue with some of the impellers. Check yours and if you notice a white chalk around the impeller the shaft is been ground out of balance causing the impeller to vibrate.

Quote:

Originally posted by Crustman
Now I am getting worried; my IN-100 pump has stopped twice and now it is very loud.

EvMiBo · 01/15/2009, 12:37 PM

Disclaimer*-Never done this before

How in the heck do I get to the ceramic shaft (aka impeller shaft?) to rinse it? I think Jeremy from PA was the one who recommended this. I took off the part that connects to the little air hose easily.. But after that I'm kind of lost; everything seems like it's on there tight and I don't want to force anything unless it's the correct way to be pulled or twisted off.

Thanks

mordibv · 01/15/2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EvMiBo
I still won't have mine up and running for another ~two weeks. I'm honestly kind of expecting my pump to fail since I know I got one from the first batches. I'm still going to attempt to take this apart (wish me luck first time!) and clean things off..

Could anyone possibly snap some pictures of what I'm going to be looking for? And maybe a little time-line of pictures while taking it apart? I would really appreciate it, and I think it would make this thread even better .

No pic's Sorry . The pump will have a cakey milky substance towards the magnet end of the impeller . I found some of the stuff at the bottom too .
I cleaned this with vinegar and a chop stick that had a cotton ball wrapped around it .
U can remove the impeller by sticking a chop stick or two through the output hole and push under the pinwheel to get the impeller out . Now u can grab the impeller and pull it out .

Hope this helps

I am still waiting for contact on my repeat issue . I did have to reset my network at home as the phone was out and I did not know it .

BTW PA support/service has been great .

Phanman1 · 01/15/2009, 02:26 PM

I pulled out the impellar and magnet and cleaned it. there was hair wrapped around the impellar. So i put everything back in place and the pump fired up. BUT im now getting almost no foam or bubbles in the skimmer neck at all. I also put my hand close to where the water is drawn in and also on the air tube and its not pulling nearly enough water or air as it did before the pump seized up after 5min of use.

Ideas? This is totally frustrating as Ive only used the darn thing for 5mins..... /sigh

oh and yes i did try turning the stand pipe to almost closed and almost fully open. At fully open i barely see any bubbles at all. At fully closed the water level rising up the neck as it should be again barely any foam production. Looks like a maxijet400 attached this thing.

jpc763 · 01/15/2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EvMiBo
Disclaimer*-Never done this before

How in the heck do I get to the ceramic shaft (aka impeller shaft?) to rinse it? I think Jeremy from PA was the one who recommended this. I took off the part that connects to the little air hose easily.. But after that I'm kind of lost; everything seems like it's on there tight and I don't want to force anything unless it's the correct way to be pulled or twisted off.

Thanks

The part that has the airhose attached is not the part to remove. That connects to another piece that sort of unscrews from the pump body, exposing the impeller assembly. You need to remove that and then remove the impeller assembly to get the shaft out.

John

mordibv · 01/15/2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phanman1
I pulled out the impellar and magnet and cleaned it. there was hair wrapped around the impellar. So i put everything back in place and the pump fired up. BUT im now getting almost no foam or bubbles in the skimmer neck at all. I also put my hand close to where the water is drawn in and also on the air tube and its not pulling nearly enough water or air as it did before the pump seized up after 5min of use.

Ideas? This is totally frustrating as Ive only used the darn thing for 5mins..... /sigh

oh and yes i did try turning the stand pipe to almost closed and almost fully open. At fully open i barely see any bubbles at all. At fully closed the water level rising up the neck as it should be again barely any foam production. Looks like a maxijet400 attached this thing.

Check the Air hose for blockage or see if it's pinched .

Phanman1 · 01/15/2009, 03:44 PM

done that, there is no blockage or kingks in the air hose

Phanman1 · 01/15/2009, 03:44 PM

done that, there is no blockage or kinks in the air hose

Phanman1 · 01/15/2009, 03:44 PM

done that, there is no blockage or kinks in the air hose

mordibv · 01/15/2009, 03:52 PM

How far is the pump output tube in the body of the skimmer ? It is possible it is pushed in too far . It just needs to go into the body of the skimmer about 1/2 inch to an inch .
U may need to take it apart again and check the impeller movement under water briefly to make sure it is turning correctly .
One time all mine would do is agitate( yes it yelled at me ) .. or move back and forth like a washing machine does .

Phanman1 · 01/15/2009, 04:07 PM

the pump output portion is about a 1/2inch into the middle portion of the skimmer. The bubbles coming out of the bubble plate isnt consistant. directly across from the pump output the bubbles are constant, but the bubbles coming out on the sides seem sparatic.

I'll double check the impellar assembly but im positive i put it back properly... rubber end/washer/magnet and impellar stuck together/washer/rubber end/cover/volute

just isnt producing foam like it used too in the 5mins before the pump seized up.

mordibv · 01/15/2009, 04:58 PM

I know the feeling .Was the pump warm when u took it out . Everything sounds right .

BTW KUdos do Jeremy/ PA and Vertex USA . My pump was on my porch when I came home .

Crustman · 01/15/2009, 08:33 PM

My pump self-healed itself. Quiet again and skimming away. Reef is looking good. Added a crocea to celebrate.

mordibv · 01/15/2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mordibv
I know the feeling .Was the pump warm when u took it out . Everything sounds right .

BTW Kudos TO @ Jeremy/ PA and Vertex USA . My pump was on my porch when I came home .

\

Typo's ...

EvMiBo · 01/15/2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpc763
The part that has the airhose attached is not the part to remove. That connects to another piece that sort of unscrews from the pump body, exposing the impeller assembly. You need to remove that and then remove the impeller assembly to get the shaft out.

John

John,

does the piece that unscrews require a little extra oomph? I feel like I'm going to break it kind of

. Once thats off does the impeller assembly come out easily? How about the ceramic shaft (what I want to be checking for for wear and tear, correct?)?

Thanks for the help.

01/13/2009, 07:44 PM	#726
JokerGirl Whistler's Mother Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: That place Posts: 1,345	Just picked up a Vertex 100 for my 55g Eel/Puffer tank (finally). Got it installed and running... seems to be doing great! I just cleaned the glass, and within 30 minutes, I had to empty the cup! This tank has never had a skimmer on it, so I expect to be emptying the cup fairly often for a while. Here's some photos. It's been running roughly around 4 hours now. Please keep in mind that I purposely didn't clean my glass for the last week in anticipation of getting this thing set up. __________________ 01000001 01101110 01111001 01101111 01101110 01100101 00111111 Current Tank Info: 120g Reef Tank, 60g Cube Mantis/Reef Tank, Want more info, ask me. Last edited by JokerGirl; 01/13/2009 at 08:04 PM.

01/13/2009, 07:56 PM	#727
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Pump a sicce on one of these and forget about the pump probs. I bet this would be a killer combo! Moon IS THE IN 180 CUP INTERCHANGEABLE WITH THE OCTO X 200 CUP? __________________ Mind over chatter.

01/14/2009, 07:27 AM	#728
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	"Put" __________________ Mind over chatter.

01/14/2009, 03:39 PM	#730
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Cool, do you know anywhere that sells the cup seperately? I have emailed a couple places and no luck yet. Thanks. __________________ Mind over chatter.

01/14/2009, 03:58 PM	#732
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	bummer __________________ Mind over chatter.

01/14/2009, 04:02 PM	#733
lifemaker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 5	*from __________________ Lifemaker

01/14/2009, 10:04 PM	#734
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	Now I am getting worried; my IN-100 pump has stopped twice and now it is very loud. The times that it stopped, I just turned the impellar with my finger and it started up again. Did anyone see the little warning label on the pump for risk of shock saying that it has not been investigated for use in swimming pool or marine areas. Where are they tested? Koi ponds? Guppy tanks? What pump will replace this one if I can't get it fixed and how much will it cost? I will try cleaning it this weekend. It is sure doing a nice job skimming even with the noise. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

01/15/2009, 12:39 AM	#735
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	must of been some problems with insump 100's my 180 still goin strong no issues. __________________ Darrick slash member 24 gallon nano cube, LED lights, zoanthids, shrooms Current Tank Info: 93 gallon cube, ecotech LED, swc 160 cone skimmer, lots of softies

01/15/2009, 12:37 PM	#737
EvMiBo VictoriaConcordiaCrescit Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 1,929	Disclaimer*-Never done this before How in the heck do I get to the ceramic shaft (aka impeller shaft?) to rinse it? I think Jeremy from PA was the one who recommended this. I took off the part that connects to the little air hose easily.. But after that I'm kind of lost; everything seems like it's on there tight and I don't want to force anything unless it's the correct way to be pulled or twisted off. Thanks __________________ Evan \| DSA 135g Peninsula

01/15/2009, 02:26 PM	#739
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	I pulled out the impellar and magnet and cleaned it. there was hair wrapped around the impellar. So i put everything back in place and the pump fired up. BUT im now getting almost no foam or bubbles in the skimmer neck at all. I also put my hand close to where the water is drawn in and also on the air tube and its not pulling nearly enough water or air as it did before the pump seized up after 5min of use. Ideas? This is totally frustrating as Ive only used the darn thing for 5mins..... /sigh oh and yes i did try turning the stand pipe to almost closed and almost fully open. At fully open i barely see any bubbles at all. At fully closed the water level rising up the neck as it should be again barely any foam production. Looks like a maxijet400 attached this thing.

01/15/2009, 03:44 PM	#742
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	done that, there is no blockage or kingks in the air hose

01/15/2009, 03:44 PM	#743
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	done that, there is no blockage or kinks in the air hose

01/15/2009, 03:44 PM	#744
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	done that, there is no blockage or kinks in the air hose

01/15/2009, 03:52 PM	#745
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	How far is the pump output tube in the body of the skimmer ? It is possible it is pushed in too far . It just needs to go into the body of the skimmer about 1/2 inch to an inch . U may need to take it apart again and check the impeller movement under water briefly to make sure it is turning correctly . One time all mine would do is agitate( yes it yelled at me ) .. or move back and forth like a washing machine does .

01/15/2009, 04:07 PM	#746
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	the pump output portion is about a 1/2inch into the middle portion of the skimmer. The bubbles coming out of the bubble plate isnt consistant. directly across from the pump output the bubbles are constant, but the bubbles coming out on the sides seem sparatic. I'll double check the impellar assembly but im positive i put it back properly... rubber end/washer/magnet and impellar stuck together/washer/rubber end/cover/volute just isnt producing foam like it used too in the 5mins before the pump seized up.

01/15/2009, 04:58 PM	#747
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I know the feeling .Was the pump warm when u took it out . Everything sounds right . BTW KUdos do Jeremy/ PA and Vertex USA . My pump was on my porch when I came home . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

01/15/2009, 08:33 PM	#748
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	My pump self-healed itself. Quiet again and skimming away. Reef is looking good. Added a crocea to celebrate. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump