vertex in-100 or BM-100?

saltydragon · 01/23/2009, 09:49 PM

hi guys...
i have a 30g cube with mainly sps with 3 fishes
also have a sump and frag tank plumbed to it...

now im planning to get a new skimmer...
i been looking at the vertex and bubble magus threads for a while but still cant decide which one i should go with...both have thier own issues...mainly with the pumps...

but since customer service is no problem i figure ill give the skimmers a shot...but which one?

anyone running these skimmers please give me some input or personal expereince so i can narrow down which skimmer to buy..

i have 23" of height to play with inside the stand...footprint is 9"x13" inside the sump..

right now im currently running this skimmer....its a cut up seaclone that i put back together into a in-sump skimmer...
pic is when i first installed it into the sump..maxijet 1200 is mesh modded with 1 layer of enkemat.

BLANKENSHIP76 · 01/23/2009, 10:07 PM

I would say a bubble magus if you can get the aqua bee pump, they are great pumps with great performance.

saltydragon · 01/23/2009, 10:08 PM

the bm-100 comes with the atman pump though

BLANKENSHIP76 · 01/23/2009, 10:19 PM

Then I would say they are about the same, IMO it would be worth the extra change for the AB pump.

But, I have heard nothing too negative about either of the other pumps.

I think the Atman uses a pinwheel impeller which i like better than the needle wheel.

Also I like the look of the Bubble-Magus better.

mojo~ · 01/23/2009, 11:13 PM

the Vertex uses pinwheel as well. Take a look. I did a full review of the vertex in 100 with video.

mojo~ · 01/23/2009, 11:13 PM

vertex in 100 is probably the best bang for buck skimmer under $200

saltydragon · 01/23/2009, 11:21 PM

i didnt realize the vertex uses a needlewheel...
well...they both have a bubbleplate...sort of..

can i ask for a AB pump for the bm-100?
ill email nuocean...

the BM is rated for a higher tank volume also..
i do like the lego colors on the BM...haha
but they both look like well built skimmers...
noise level is the big factor also

saltydragon · 01/23/2009, 11:28 PM

yea mojo i been watching your thread....i would have had a vertex from PA when they had they sale...but they went out of stock when i made the order...

but now the BM is back in stock...so now i got 2 skimmers i like...
its $125 plus i can go pick it up...
the BM is reccomended for a higher sump level...9-13"..i have 9" of water...and the vertex is reccomended at 7" max...

BLANKENSHIP76 · 01/24/2009, 08:12 AM

The BM160 is about the same dimensions and it has the AB pump.

ecoreefer · 01/24/2009, 09:06 AM

I would recommend the Vertex based on my experience. Its well built, and I've had no issues with the pump whatsoever. Both skimmers seems to be a good choice for your application though.

saltydragon · 01/24/2009, 09:14 AM

thanks guys,,,,

the bm160 is too tall for my stand...

yea i like both skimmers but cant decide which one to buy...

how is the noise level for the vertex?

EvMiBo · 01/24/2009, 09:15 AM

1st gen pump problems with the vertex in100 should be gone (therefore, most of the problems gone), for what its worth, I believe the problem with the Vertex pumps was actually faulty impellers (some of the magnets were slightly too large and would stick/luckup). PA and MD have been replacing impellers left and right because of it. Luckily, like you said theres great customer service. I really don't know much about the BM so I really can't write it off. I researched them a little before I got my Vertex, but I don't know too much about them.

you should start digging for scfh readings on both.

Vertex Vs. BM would make a great head to head thread (if someone had both).

siode note: Some people that own Oct Xtremes have been putting vertex collection cups on their extremes. Interesting.

BLANKENSHIP76 · 01/24/2009, 09:33 AM

I meant BM150, It is same footprint as the BM100, but has a wider mouth and an german made aquabee pump.

ABs are the same pump used in Deltec skimmers, and are known throughout the hobby as super reliable.

I would go with the better pump, although I have no experience with either skimmer.

saltydragon · 01/24/2009, 01:36 PM

ill try to visit nuocean and check out thier skimmers...

i like the small footprint on the BM100...the skimmer can be taken apart for cleaning..

the vertex is shorter which is a good thing for me...and i can easily change a pump is needed..

i believe the vertex has a larger neck?
any got input on the pros/cons of the different body style?

APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP

saltydragon · 01/24/2009, 01:36 PM

OOPS..DP

01/23/2009, 09:49 PM	#1
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	vertex in-100 or BM-100? hi guys... i have a 30g cube with mainly sps with 3 fishes also have a sump and frag tank plumbed to it... now im planning to get a new skimmer... i been looking at the vertex and bubble magus threads for a while but still cant decide which one i should go with...both have thier own issues...mainly with the pumps... but since customer service is no problem i figure ill give the skimmers a shot...but which one? anyone running these skimmers please give me some input or personal expereince so i can narrow down which skimmer to buy.. i have 23" of height to play with inside the stand...footprint is 9"x13" inside the sump.. right now im currently running this skimmer....its a cut up seaclone that i put back together into a in-sump skimmer... pic is when i first installed it into the sump..maxijet 1200 is mesh modded with 1 layer of enkemat.

01/23/2009, 11:13 PM	#5
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	the Vertex uses pinwheel as well. Take a look. I did a full review of the vertex in 100 with video. __________________ Mojo~

01/23/2009, 11:13 PM	#6
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	vertex in 100 is probably the best bang for buck skimmer under $200 __________________ Mojo~

01/24/2009, 09:15 AM	#12
EvMiBo VictoriaConcordiaCrescit Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 1,929	1st gen pump problems with the vertex in100 should be gone (therefore, most of the problems gone), for what its worth, I believe the problem with the Vertex pumps was actually faulty impellers (some of the magnets were slightly too large and would stick/luckup). PA and MD have been replacing impellers left and right because of it. Luckily, like you said theres great customer service. I really don't know much about the BM so I really can't write it off. I researched them a little before I got my Vertex, but I don't know too much about them. you should start digging for scfh readings on both. Vertex Vs. BM would make a great head to head thread (if someone had both). siode note: Some people that own Oct Xtremes have been putting vertex collection cups on their extremes. Interesting. __________________ Evan \| DSA 135g Peninsula Last edited by EvMiBo; 01/24/2009 at 09:49 AM.

01/23/2009, 10:07 PM	#2
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	I would say a bubble magus if you can get the aqua bee pump, they are great pumps with great performance.

01/23/2009, 10:08 PM	#3
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	the bm-100 comes with the atman pump though

01/23/2009, 10:19 PM	#4
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	Then I would say they are about the same, IMO it would be worth the extra change for the AB pump. But, I have heard nothing too negative about either of the other pumps. I think the Atman uses a pinwheel impeller which i like better than the needle wheel. Also I like the look of the Bubble-Magus better.

01/23/2009, 11:21 PM	#7
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	i didnt realize the vertex uses a needlewheel... well...they both have a bubbleplate...sort of.. can i ask for a AB pump for the bm-100? ill email nuocean... the BM is rated for a higher tank volume also.. i do like the lego colors on the BM...haha but they both look like well built skimmers... noise level is the big factor also

01/23/2009, 11:28 PM	#8
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	yea mojo i been watching your thread....i would have had a vertex from PA when they had they sale...but they went out of stock when i made the order... but now the BM is back in stock...so now i got 2 skimmers i like... its $125 plus i can go pick it up... the BM is reccomended for a higher sump level...9-13"..i have 9" of water...and the vertex is reccomended at 7" max...

01/24/2009, 08:12 AM	#9
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	The BM160 is about the same dimensions and it has the AB pump.

01/24/2009, 09:06 AM	#10
ecoreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 100	I would recommend the Vertex based on my experience. Its well built, and I've had no issues with the pump whatsoever. Both skimmers seems to be a good choice for your application though.

01/24/2009, 09:14 AM	#11
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	thanks guys,,,, the bm160 is too tall for my stand... yea i like both skimmers but cant decide which one to buy... how is the noise level for the vertex?

01/24/2009, 09:33 AM	#13
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	I meant BM150, It is same footprint as the BM100, but has a wider mouth and an german made aquabee pump. ABs are the same pump used in Deltec skimmers, and are known throughout the hobby as super reliable. I would go with the better pump, although I have no experience with either skimmer.

01/24/2009, 01:36 PM	#14
saltydragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westbury L.i Posts: 402	ill try to visit nuocean and check out thier skimmers... i like the small footprint on the BM100...the skimmer can be taken apart for cleaning.. the vertex is shorter which is a good thing for me...and i can easily change a pump is needed.. i believe the vertex has a larger neck? any got input on the pros/cons of the different body style? APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP