Vertex Skimmer club - Page 14

mordibv · 12/14/2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by d.french
one thing i found out is don't push the inlet tube that goes into skimmer body to far just enough to go inside of of bubble plate chamber by 1/8 of an inch to get better performance other wise if tube goes to much further in than the water and air don't flow real well cause tube disrupts flow since its kinda cyclone flow. I had mine in to far and it was a royal pain in butt to pull back out and skimmer performs alot better with tube barely in chamber.

I found that out too . LOL . It let also me orient the pump so the intake sump water is on the pump side and the outflow goes towards the return pump as it should be > DOH .. I had it backwards at first so I was basically recycling the outflow water and not much of the other . It solves the kink issue on the air intake tube too .

Whyireef · 12/14/2008, 09:38 PM

I ordered the model 100 for my 70 gallon (add 20 for sump). I have the AGA #3 Mega-Sump (I hope this thing fits).

This is going to replace my Deltec MCE-600. The Deltec was awesome as a hang-on, but in the sump it's giving me fits.

Wish me luck - I'll post pics when I have it up and running.

My only concern with the Vertex is the pump; however, I've done some google searching on small electric motors (like these small skimmer motors). From what I found, the folks in the know say China has come a LONG way with them and now produce some of, if not the best motors in the world. Kind of like cast acrylic...they do cast acrylic work as fine as any country does.

R

mojo~ · 12/15/2008, 10:48 AM

you will want to have a way to keep the water level constant. I will have to refresh my memory and look up your sump.

EvMiBo · 12/15/2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mojo46825
you will want to have a way to keep the water level constant. I will have to refresh my memory and look up your sump.

ATO!

if you dont have one.

PS- Ordering today! (IN100). PA's phone hours were closed all weekend.

frenchie · 12/15/2008, 05:02 PM

i use jbj ATO with 2 sensors and love it.

mordibv · 12/15/2008, 08:12 PM

My pump just quit again . I took it apart again and the impeller shaft had no free play . I was barley able to get the shaft out this time . The pump body and impeller magnet was very warm to the touch . It's put back together again and working .
The irony is I was going over an order with Jeremy @ PA and discussed possiblly getting different or bigger skimmer with the bubble plate that is not so high up in the body .
I'll be contacting PA .. for the remedy .
I'm not upset because I knew this was a possible scenario .

gorey · 12/15/2008, 09:03 PM

So are you getting a different skimmer? Or keeping the vertex?

frenchie · 12/15/2008, 09:06 PM

sorry to hear that about pump, i know i have unplugged mine several time messin with it just to see if i was gonna have problems with restarts but none at all.

mojo~ · 12/15/2008, 09:10 PM

I probably restarted mine about 50 times in the time I had it just to test it out and no issues at all.

mordibv · 12/15/2008, 09:55 PM

I still have my Aquabee as a back up but it needs a way bigger slip to work on the Vertex . The differences in pump and impeller size are substantial; Vertex being larger . Not sure of the performance diff .I am hoping a replacement pump will solve the issue . I am just crossing my fingers that it doesn't fail while I am at work . I have been lucky it quit every time I was at home . It is the heat and full failure of the pump that concerns me .Which appear to be right around the corner .Which reminds me .....
I will be unplugging it when I go to work .

Not sure of another skimmer yet . I am still buying and replacing equipment for the new Acrylic Tank . Sigh ...
Like 6 t-5 replacement bulbs.
New fixture as I was using t5 tombstones . Ordered Ice cap retro prewired ..mount and go .
Additives , carbon blk, di replacements etc .. I still have funds left over to spend on another skimmer as my 120 is a giveaway to a buddy who wants my to buy my Vertex .
I think I am going to sleep on this ..

L8tr Mordibv

reeftec · 12/15/2008, 10:06 PM

mordibv
If the pump's motor Block was faulty, the pump would not turn on at all, the problem is the impeller & from what you are explaining, seems like the impeller is faulty.
You should just ask PA for a new impeller, I have ordered from them before Jermy is awesome, PA is one of the best shops around.I am sure they will take care of you rightaway

EvMiBo · 12/16/2008, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reeftec
mordibv
If the pump's motor Block was faulty, the pump would not turn on at all, the problem is the impeller & from what you are explaining, seems like the impeller is faulty.
You should just ask PA for a new impeller, I have ordered from them before Jermy is awesome, PA is one of the best shops around.I am sure they will take care of you rightaway

This is definitely worth a try.

taekim78 · 12/16/2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mordibv
My pump just quit again . I took it apart again and the impeller shaft had no free play . I was barley able to get the shaft out this time . The pump body and impeller magnet was very warm to the touch . It's put back together again and working .
The irony is I was going over an order with Jeremy @ PA and discussed possiblly getting different or bigger skimmer with the bubble plate that is not so high up in the body .
I'll be contacting PA .. for the remedy .
I'm not upset because I knew this was a possible scenario .

Same thing happened to me. I am getting a replacement pump impeller from marine depot today so I will let you guys know how it turns out....

mojo~ · 12/16/2008, 03:05 PM

Keep us informed. I took mine apart for pictures first thing. But had no issues with the one I had. But I have had that same issue on one of my sicce pumps.

mordibv · 12/16/2008, 07:17 PM

PA responded today . Impeller is on the way . I ghettoed the old Aquabee 2000/1 with teflon tape for a temp tight fit in the skimmer .That lil pump is working at the moment just as good as the Resun . So I'll swap back out when the new one comes in .I haven't the time to look for correct slip adapters .
.......

frenchie · 12/16/2008, 09:18 PM

thats what is good about being a machinist, i can machine my own parts to modify my equipment.

mojo~ · 12/16/2008, 10:37 PM

Yea i is nice havin a mill and lathe at my disposal.
French, I see you are from Granite city. I have a friend that lives there. Its about a 7 hour drive for me but I have been down there a few times. small world

frenchie · 12/17/2008, 08:30 AM

yup, bad thing is 2100 people lost there job at granite city steel(US steel), plant might idle for 1 month or 6 months no one knows. I work at Olin Brass were still working so far.

frenchie · 12/17/2008, 08:32 AM

I'm maintenance machinist, so pretty much troubleshoot anything mechanical and fix it only machine stuff if i don't have parts in stock.

taekim78 · 12/17/2008, 10:00 AM

installed the replacement pump last night and it worked fine, again this morning the pump stopped working. Checked the pump again and it would spin backup up if i wiggle the pin wheel.. I also have a aquaclear power head attached to the same outlet so I know power is not an issue.

I did not want to take chances with this skimmer so I am sending it back. Hope you guys don't have this issue down the line.....

brutus187 · 12/17/2008, 01:37 PM

i've been experiencing the same problem. In order to get the pump started back up i need to take the impeller out and put it back in...then the darn thing fires up right away...not to happy with this issue.

EvMiBo · 12/17/2008, 05:22 PM

wow... http://premiumaquatics.com/newsletter/holiday3.htm

frenchie · 12/17/2008, 05:27 PM

premium aquatics are awesome, always got the good deals, 25 percent off.

mojo~ · 12/17/2008, 05:36 PM

yea I almost thought about ordering one to put in the closet as a back up skimmer. At that price wow.

brutus187 · 12/17/2008, 05:40 PM

quick question regarding the return plumbing...i've noticed from the pics on this thread some people have their's pointed striaght down and others are set just above water level...what is best? all dealer pics of the skimmers show them pointed straight down but these are all out of water pics

any suggestions guys?

12/15/2008, 10:48 AM	#328
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	you will want to have a way to keep the water level constant. I will have to refresh my memory and look up your sump. __________________ Mojo~

12/15/2008, 05:02 PM	#330
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	i use jbj ATO with 2 sensors and love it. __________________ 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

12/15/2008, 08:12 PM	#331
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	third pump restart -I guess it had to happen to somebody My pump just quit again . I took it apart again and the impeller shaft had no free play . I was barley able to get the shaft out this time . The pump body and impeller magnet was very warm to the touch . It's put back together again and working . The irony is I was going over an order with Jeremy @ PA and discussed possiblly getting different or bigger skimmer with the bubble plate that is not so high up in the body . I'll be contacting PA .. for the remedy . I'm not upset because I knew this was a possible scenario .

12/15/2008, 09:03 PM	#332
gorey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 292	So are you getting a different skimmer? Or keeping the vertex? __________________ There is fine line between a hobby and an obsession Current Tank Info: 75g AGA 30g/ sump vertex 100 skimmer. Yellow tang, 2 clowns, cardnial, royal gamma, six line

12/15/2008, 09:06 PM	#333
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	sorry to hear that about pump, i know i have unplugged mine several time messin with it just to see if i was gonna have problems with restarts but none at all. __________________ 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

12/14/2008, 09:38 PM	#327
Whyireef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington DC Posts: 54	I ordered the model 100 for my 70 gallon (add 20 for sump). I have the AGA #3 Mega-Sump (I hope this thing fits). This is going to replace my Deltec MCE-600. The Deltec was awesome as a hang-on, but in the sump it's giving me fits. Wish me luck - I'll post pics when I have it up and running. My only concern with the Vertex is the pump; however, I've done some google searching on small electric motors (like these small skimmer motors). From what I found, the folks in the know say China has come a LONG way with them and now produce some of, if not the best motors in the world. Kind of like cast acrylic...they do cast acrylic work as fine as any country does. R

12/15/2008, 09:10 PM	#334
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I probably restarted mine about 50 times in the time I had it just to test it out and no issues at all. __________________ Mojo~

12/15/2008, 09:55 PM	#335
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I still have my Aquabee as a back up but it needs a way bigger slip to work on the Vertex . The differences in pump and impeller size are substantial; Vertex being larger . Not sure of the performance diff .I am hoping a replacement pump will solve the issue . I am just crossing my fingers that it doesn't fail while I am at work . I have been lucky it quit every time I was at home . It is the heat and full failure of the pump that concerns me .Which appear to be right around the corner .Which reminds me ..... I will be unplugging it when I go to work . Not sure of another skimmer yet . I am still buying and replacing equipment for the new Acrylic Tank . Sigh ... Like 6 t-5 replacement bulbs. New fixture as I was using t5 tombstones . Ordered Ice cap retro prewired ..mount and go . Additives , carbon blk, di replacements etc .. I still have funds left over to spend on another skimmer as my 120 is a giveaway to a buddy who wants my to buy my Vertex . I think I am going to sleep on this .. L8tr Mordibv

12/15/2008, 10:06 PM	#336
reeftec Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newport, CA Posts: 259	mordibv If the pump's motor Block was faulty, the pump would not turn on at all, the problem is the impeller & from what you are explaining, seems like the impeller is faulty. You should just ask PA for a new impeller, I have ordered from them before Jermy is awesome, PA is one of the best shops around.I am sure they will take care of you rightaway

12/16/2008, 03:05 PM	#339
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Keep us informed. I took mine apart for pictures first thing. But had no issues with the one I had. But I have had that same issue on one of my sicce pumps. __________________ Mojo~

12/16/2008, 07:17 PM	#340
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	PA responded today . Impeller is on the way . I ghettoed the old Aquabee 2000/1 with teflon tape for a temp tight fit in the skimmer .That lil pump is working at the moment just as good as the Resun . So I'll swap back out when the new one comes in .I haven't the time to look for correct slip adapters . .......

12/16/2008, 09:18 PM	#341
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	thats what is good about being a machinist, i can machine my own parts to modify my equipment. __________________ 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

12/16/2008, 10:37 PM	#342
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Yea i is nice havin a mill and lathe at my disposal. French, I see you are from Granite city. I have a friend that lives there. Its about a 7 hour drive for me but I have been down there a few times. small world __________________ Mojo~

12/17/2008, 08:30 AM	#343
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	yup, bad thing is 2100 people lost there job at granite city steel(US steel), plant might idle for 1 month or 6 months no one knows. I work at Olin Brass were still working so far. __________________ 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

12/17/2008, 08:32 AM	#344
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	I'm maintenance machinist, so pretty much troubleshoot anything mechanical and fix it only machine stuff if i don't have parts in stock. __________________ 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

12/17/2008, 10:00 AM	#345
taekim78 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: chandler, AZ Posts: 391	installed the replacement pump last night and it worked fine, again this morning the pump stopped working. Checked the pump again and it would spin backup up if i wiggle the pin wheel.. I also have a aquaclear power head attached to the same outlet so I know power is not an issue. I did not want to take chances with this skimmer so I am sending it back. Hope you guys don't have this issue down the line.....

12/17/2008, 01:37 PM	#346
brutus187 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	i've been experiencing the same problem. In order to get the pump started back up i need to take the impeller out and put it back in...then the darn thing fires up right away...not to happy with this issue.

12/17/2008, 05:22 PM	#347
EvMiBo VictoriaConcordiaCrescit Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 1,929	wow... http://premiumaquatics.com/newsletter/holiday3.htm __________________ Evan \| DSA 135g Peninsula

12/17/2008, 05:27 PM	#348
frenchie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,730	premium aquatics are awesome, always got the good deals, 25 percent off. __________________ 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

12/17/2008, 05:36 PM	#349
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	yea I almost thought about ordering one to put in the closet as a back up skimmer. At that price wow. __________________ Mojo~

12/17/2008, 05:40 PM	#350
brutus187 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	quick question regarding the return plumbing...i've noticed from the pics on this thread some people have their's pointed striaght down and others are set just above water level...what is best? all dealer pics of the skimmers show them pointed straight down but these are all out of water pics any suggestions guys?