vertex alpha skimmers

[cugly]

I am in the market for a new skimmer I was gonna get a vertex alpha 200 but I read RE no longer make it for them and it doesn't use the red dragon pumps anymore ..how well are the new vertex alpha made is it as good as before?

[pmrossetti]

bump

[slief]

New Vertex Alpha's are made in China. As for the build quality and the new pumps quality, I can't comment but obviously it won't be as good as the original Alpha's. I had an Royal Exclusiv made Alpha 300 and it was a great skimmer. The pumps were excellent and the build quality was second to none. I recently switched to a Supermarin 250 and love the new skimmer.

If I were you, I'd strongly consider one of the BK skimmers instead. You will pay a bit more but in the end, you will be VERY happy you did. That new RD3 speedy pump is amazing and makes tuning your skimmer a breeze. Plus the quality is unlike any other skimmer/pump combo out there. If I were you, I'd consider a double cone 200 or even a Supermarin 200.

[pmrossetti]

The BRS site says made in Germany.

[slief]

Originally Posted by pmrossetti

The BRS site says made in Germany.

They have the old specs for when RE was making the skimmers.. They apparently have yet to update their site or didn't get the memo.

[Allmost]

I have one of the old ones, by RE. see if you can find one used, its an amazing skimmer for its price.

if not, Id personally would go with BK

[cugly]

Ya I was looking at the BK but I might just get the KZ..

[Allmost]

good skimmers for sure, but will need to clean the beckett often ! I hear weekly. never owned one myself though ...

[slief]

Originally Posted by cugly

Ya I was looking at the BK but I might just get the KZ..

The BK's are proven to be among the best quality skimmers with the best quality pumps. For the kind of money you would spend on the Korallen, I'd spend a tad bit more and get the better more proven BK skimmer. The BK you won't regret. The Korallin, I'm not sure. Also, BK is or has opened a new facility in Florida so now there is a US point of service which is a great thing.

[rounder45]

The alphas are still made in Germany... Just not by bubble king . The omegas are China. When Klaus and vertex split this was brought up in the vertex thread on premium aquatics portion of this forum. I personally would get a bubble king or atb instead.

[slief]

Originally Posted by rounder45

The alphas are still made in Germany... Just not by bubble king . The omegas are China. When Klaus and vertex split this was brought up in the vertex thread on premium aquatics portion of this forum. I personally would get a bubble king or atb instead.

I see where the original posts about being manufactured in China were retracted. Still as you said, the BK or even the ATB would be a better choice. I'd still go with a BK over any cone skimmer at this point although the ATB's are really nice and well balanced! I just love the RD3 Speedy pump and the SM's design. It makes dialing in so much easier and the foam my SM250 puts out is like no skimmer I've had previously. That includes my Alpha 300 and my Dual Beckett skimmer that my Alpha replaced.