Vertex Alpha 250 cone skimmer review thread - Page 8

mr&mrsfish · 05/09/2009, 12:34 PM

I cleaned the entire skimmer for the first time today. My 180 is a detritus machine and it had started to collect in the low flow areas of the skimmer. It took me exactly thirty minutes to disassemble, clean, and reassemble every major and minor part of this skimmer. Please see the before and after photos from below (note: the white internals of this skimmer make detritus easy to recognize ... I've already installed a couple socks).

The disassemble feature wasn't high on my "want" list when considering the various skimmers. Features like air flow, diameter, height, power, etc. were much more appealing. I'm now ready to say I wouldn't purchase a cone without it.

vanillagorila · 05/09/2009, 12:39 PM

that is one dirty sump!!! I'm guessing you don't run a filter sock.

sjm817 · 05/09/2009, 04:27 PM

No kidding. I've had skimmers in a sump for over a year that didn't look like that!

solitude127 · 05/13/2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks for the great review. were there anymore updates?

mojo~ · 05/13/2009, 03:16 PM

I sent the alpha back to premium. Just too big for me really. I think the skimmer is well made but it is too big for me to give you a really good idea on performance. From what I have seen the neck size is large compared to competition and we will see how the smaller sizes peform

solitude127 · 05/13/2009, 03:31 PM

Mojo,
Will you be getting the smaller ones to review? I really appreciate the work you put into these reviews. I wish I knew about RC when I was setting up my tank. It would have saved me a lot of money. Thanks again.

mojo~ · 05/13/2009, 04:42 PM

yea thats the whole reason i do this. I spent so much money on things like skimmers I never needed or just found out the item i bought was not worth the money. I would like too get a 170 or 200 but it doesnt look promising for me unless I want to just purchase it outright. I have had alot of people ask me about them and I will do my best to help you all out.

mkarston · 05/13/2009, 08:04 PM

mojo, I know you've mentioned it before, but how big is your system? bio-load?

Thanks.

mojo~ · 05/13/2009, 09:30 PM

Mine is a 90 with a 35g sump pretty good load SPS and LPS.

mojo~ · 05/14/2009, 10:11 PM

I hope all of this has been helpful. I know that its not as exciting as I hoped it would be. Its a good skimmer just a couple tweaks and it will be great.
I just want to point out this is my opinion. others may get different results but I can only base my results on what I see. I can promise all of you that I will give you my honest opinion. Sorry just a few people not liking my opinion and well I wanted you all to know I will be as open and honest with you all as I can. Its not my money you are all spending its yours. I will suggest a skimmer I a pretty certain you will be happy with. Not one that you might be happy with. ok i ll quit rambling. good luck to you all.

Ed Reef · 05/14/2009, 11:39 PM

Good review mojo.... hmmm wonder if they will take note of some of the user feedback and make some minor modification to the upcoming models??

swiseman · 05/15/2009, 12:15 PM

Nice review, I think the reason why people like your reviews is your professionalism. You seem quite open minded. I am curious as to why you would review a skimmer that is designed for a system two times larger than yours? Not withstanding, your design points are valid. My only disappointment with the skimmer so far is the screw off lid. I wish it was a little easier, but, hey, if that is the only fault I can find, I think I did alright.

mojo~ · 05/15/2009, 04:19 PM

it was offered to my as a trial only basis to help give users a hands on perspective on this skimmer. So of course I took them up on the deal. So it only cost me shipping to send it back. So thats the main reason and I Was told that it was being run on a 105 gallon system when it was tested. My system all together is about 100 gallons once you remove the rock ect.. So I thought it would be fine with what info I had available.

Also, Thanks for the compliment. I do these for everyone here. Every skimmer besides the alpha 250 I paid for out of my pocket to review. So its not like I make anything off giving a review or not. or if I say its good or bad. I just give you my opinion and I am basing it off the others skimmers in the market. Other skimmers the one I am reviewing are competing with.

Thanks again,
Mojo~

mystery_reef · 05/03/2011, 10:17 PM

ever get and try out the 200? im think about getting one for my 180 that currently has a ATI BM 250 going on it.

05/09/2009, 12:39 PM	#177
vanillagorila It stings the nostrils Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surprise, Az Posts: 1,862	that is one dirty sump!!! I'm guessing you don't run a filter sock. __________________ "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten" Current Tank Info: 60g cube, Elite Aquatics cube sump, ATB 840, AI Hydra 26 x2

05/09/2009, 04:27 PM	#178
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	No kidding. I've had skimmers in a sump for over a year that didn't look like that! __________________ - Scott

05/13/2009, 12:09 PM	#179
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Thanks for the great review. were there anymore updates? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

05/13/2009, 03:16 PM	#180
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I sent the alpha back to premium. Just too big for me really. I think the skimmer is well made but it is too big for me to give you a really good idea on performance. From what I have seen the neck size is large compared to competition and we will see how the smaller sizes peform __________________ Mojo~

05/13/2009, 03:31 PM	#181
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Mojo, Will you be getting the smaller ones to review? I really appreciate the work you put into these reviews. I wish I knew about RC when I was setting up my tank. It would have saved me a lot of money. Thanks again. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

05/09/2009, 12:34 PM	#176
mr&mrsfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 140	I cleaned the entire skimmer for the first time today. My 180 is a detritus machine and it had started to collect in the low flow areas of the skimmer. It took me exactly thirty minutes to disassemble, clean, and reassemble every major and minor part of this skimmer. Please see the before and after photos from below (note: the white internals of this skimmer make detritus easy to recognize ... I've already installed a couple socks). The disassemble feature wasn't high on my "want" list when considering the various skimmers. Features like air flow, diameter, height, power, etc. were much more appealing. I'm now ready to say I wouldn't purchase a cone without it.

05/13/2009, 04:42 PM	#182
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	yea thats the whole reason i do this. I spent so much money on things like skimmers I never needed or just found out the item i bought was not worth the money. I would like too get a 170 or 200 but it doesnt look promising for me unless I want to just purchase it outright. I have had alot of people ask me about them and I will do my best to help you all out. __________________ Mojo~

05/13/2009, 08:04 PM	#183
mkarston Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 449	mojo, I know you've mentioned it before, but how big is your system? bio-load? Thanks.

05/13/2009, 09:30 PM	#184
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	Mine is a 90 with a 35g sump pretty good load SPS and LPS. __________________ Mojo~

05/14/2009, 10:11 PM	#185
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	I hope all of this has been helpful. I know that its not as exciting as I hoped it would be. Its a good skimmer just a couple tweaks and it will be great. I just want to point out this is my opinion. others may get different results but I can only base my results on what I see. I can promise all of you that I will give you my honest opinion. Sorry just a few people not liking my opinion and well I wanted you all to know I will be as open and honest with you all as I can. Its not my money you are all spending its yours. I will suggest a skimmer I a pretty certain you will be happy with. Not one that you might be happy with. ok i ll quit rambling. good luck to you all. __________________ Mojo~

05/14/2009, 11:39 PM	#186
Ed Reef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Currently Based in China Posts: 4,060	Good review mojo.... hmmm wonder if they will take note of some of the user feedback and make some minor modification to the upcoming models?? __________________ Ed ~ Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can only be explored by those willing to take the risks. ~ Current Tank Info: Ed Reef’s Shallow Crest Inspired ART

05/15/2009, 12:15 PM	#187
swiseman Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick Posts: 407	Nice review, I think the reason why people like your reviews is your professionalism. You seem quite open minded. I am curious as to why you would review a skimmer that is designed for a system two times larger than yours? Not withstanding, your design points are valid. My only disappointment with the skimmer so far is the screw off lid. I wish it was a little easier, but, hey, if that is the only fault I can find, I think I did alright. __________________ If my wife asks, it was only $20. Current Tank Info: 220 Gal SPS Reef, 3 x Ecotech Radion LED, 66 gal sump, Vertex Alpha 250 Kone Skimmer, GEO 6-18 Ca Reactor, 2 x Tunze 6105, 1 x Vertex MP40W, Profilux III EX

05/15/2009, 04:19 PM	#188
mojo~ Skimmer Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN Posts: 5,647	it was offered to my as a trial only basis to help give users a hands on perspective on this skimmer. So of course I took them up on the deal. So it only cost me shipping to send it back. So thats the main reason and I Was told that it was being run on a 105 gallon system when it was tested. My system all together is about 100 gallons once you remove the rock ect.. So I thought it would be fine with what info I had available. Also, Thanks for the compliment. I do these for everyone here. Every skimmer besides the alpha 250 I paid for out of my pocket to review. So its not like I make anything off giving a review or not. or if I say its good or bad. I just give you my opinion and I am basing it off the others skimmers in the market. Other skimmers the one I am reviewing are competing with. Thanks again, Mojo~ __________________ Mojo~

05/03/2011, 10:17 PM	#189
mystery_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,822	ever get and try out the 200? im think about getting one for my 180 that currently has a ATI BM 250 going on it.