Vertex Skimmer club

[EvMiBo]

I'm still setting up my 55g and had the ext200 in my sights for a while.. then found out it would just be overkill and not work to it's full potential.. I'll be going towards the ext160 or vertex IN100. Leaning a bit towards the ext160 because I feel like it gives me more room for further upgrades but the vertex' price is always something that is singing to me.

Just to clearify I'm not trying to promote octo's in the vertex skimmer club, just trying to give my opinion from another 55g'ers point of view.

[frenchie]

i'm still stuck between vertex 180, msx 200, both have there faults about there pumps, some say resun pumps are cheap, but sicces pump lock up have to meshed every few months. Vertex i know will fit in my sump msx will just barely fit. youtube has great videos of both brands in action, i need help deciding so please keep posting pics of progress with skimmers in action.

[EvMiBo]

I have never owned either so this is based off the facts and what I've read on this website and other reviews. I'd go with the Octo EXT200 over the Vertex IN180.

They both have the same body diameter. But, the vertex is quoted to run at ~70 watts. The Octo will run under 30, saving you a little power and not sacrificing performance. Supposedly if it's meshed "correctly" there shouldn't be a problem with the meshwheels on the octo.. The footprint of the IN180 is 12.5" x 10" and the octo EXT200 (assuming its the same as the msx) is 13.5" x 11.5"... The msx and octo are the same but i've heard a few more complaints about the msx over the octo. Just my .02

[jck9]

i have the in-180 and it is kicking butt. i have had both skimmers. the msx200 and now the in-180. the msx200 pump was noisy and no matter how many times i remeshed it it was always loud and would not always start on its own. when meshed it pulled 40 scfh. i put the pinwheel in and it was still noisy ( like a loud hum) the pinwheel pulled about 27ish scfh. the vertex in 180 is near silent and the pinwheel pump pulls 32 scfh. just my .02 cents.
this is 2 days worth of skimmate on my lightly stocked 90gal.

[EvMiBo]

Originally posted by jck9

this is 2 days worth of skimmate on my lightly stocked 90gal.

yummmm!!

[jck9]

my wife didnt think so! . very stinky and the darkest green ive ever seen. its still only 4 days old. i think its breaking in quite nicely.

[3.99AfterTaxes]

Originally posted by EvMiBo
I have never owned either so this is based off the facts and what I've read on this website and other reviews. I'd go with the Octo EXT200 over the Vertex IN180.

They both have the same body diameter. But, the vertex is quoted to run at ~70 watts. The Octo will run under 30, saving you a little power and not sacrificing performance. Supposedly if it's meshed "correctly" there shouldn't be a problem with the meshwheels on the octo.. The footprint of the IN180 is 12.5" x 10" and the octo EXT200 (assuming its the same as the msx) is 13.5" x 11.5"... The msx and octo are the same but i've heard a few more complaints about the msx over the octo. Just my .02

The wattage on the skimmers is the stock wattage for the Resun pumps with stock impellers. With the pinwheel, they're running at nearly half of the stock wattage.

For example, I know my IN100 runs at a cool 20-21 watts (listed wattage is 40) while pulling 8.5 lph...

[frenchie]

i've read on other site that the 180 actually only pulls maybe 40 watts, if you read in all skimmer threads when you add a pinwheel or meshmod they pull less energy produce more air, impellar isn't working as hard with air in the mix, if it was all water than it would work harder and pull more.

[mojo~]

The above mentioned is all true.

[gorey]

I hope i get my new cup tomarrow!

[newade]

hey guys, i just put my vertex 250 on my system, and i cant slow down the bubbles,, it just keeps overflowing, has been for four days, i have the wedge vent all the way open, and it is just jammed full of bubbles,, i cant get them to lower enough to actually skimm,, i am excited to see all the bubbles,, the plate level up is jammed solid white,, but will this slow down,

[jck9]

how deep is the skimmer area of your sump? it cant be more than 8" deep. mojo found that 7' is about the best. i have mine sitting at 7 and it rockin

[newade]

it is between 6-7, im maybe three inches down from the overflow tube

[frenchie]

do you use any additives in your water, cause if you use any water clarifier or chlorine removers that will make your skimmer go nuts. Some people don't use ro/di water and use tap water with drops and that makes skimmers go nuts.

[newade]

nope, i replaced a euro 100 , and it was fine,, it seems like its breaking in,, just lasting forever,,

[frenchie]

marine depot sells these now and have a code here on rc for 20 dollars off price of skimmer with free shipping, and if your already broke they got bill me later, and no payments for 90 days if you spend more than 300 bucks.

[frenchie]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1518556

just thought i would pass this on.

[gorey]

My cup comes tomarrow!! I don't even have the tank running yet tho! But im getting close........

[jck9]

good luck post pics of the tank as you set it up. i like watching build threads

[taekim78]

thanks for the link d.french. I am officially in the club now

[gorey]

I like watching build threads too. I would like to take some pics but im having some camera issues. Hopfully I can go get a new one this week. I got this stand i built im just dying to show off!! I got the sump hooked up this past weekend. Today i got the sump filled with water and am now starting to get some drink in the tank. I had to fill the sump first so i could put my old sand in the fuge. Now i got a small power head in there along with a heater to help keep some of the good stuff alive.

[jck9]

sounds good. get your cup yet?

[gorey]

Not yet, I hope tomarrow. I called and they said they mailed it monday. Sometimes i have the worst luck with this sort of stuff!LOL.

[jck9]

at least they took care of it for you. PA is awesome. they have always had great customer service for me. keep us posted. mine is breaking in real nice.

[gorey]

Got the cup today!! Its pretty!! Making ro water for the display got about 10 gallons made. And I have 20 gallons already in the sump. Its a 75 gallon tank so im thinking I only need about 60 gallons for the display because of all the rock.