Vertex Alpha 250 or SRO XP-5000 internal & MP60 or Vertex Alpha 300

reef_enthusiast · 03/17/2011, 10:08 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my current skimmer (H&S A200-2x1260).

Tank Specs: 280 gallon (72" x 30" x 30") FOWLR with another 50 gallons in the sump (can be 100 gallons if I run the refugium section). Tank has a very heavy bioload (3 large angels, 4 large tangs, male crosshatch trigger, male bluethroat trigger, picasso trigger, aussie tusk, dragon wrasse, mated true percs). I also feed heavily. Autofeeder dispenses a mix of pellets (1mm, 2mm, & 3mm new life spectrum, small and medium Formula One & Formula Two) 4 times a day. At night I feed a variety of frozen food - either PE mysis, ProSalt carnivore supreme, clams, krill, silversides.

I do weekly 45 gallon water changes. I also just started up a sulphur denitrator. Nitrates are 60-80.

Been awhile since I read about skimmers. Spent a lot of time reading reviews on here. I was leaning towards the Vertex Alpha 250. However, I stumbled upon the SRO XP-5000 internal. It's half the price and after seeing the reviews I doubt I'll be getting half the performance. For almost the same amount as the Alpha 250 I could get the SRO XP-5000i and a vortech MP60. Figured running the MP60 in nutrient export mode I'll get more waste to the skimmer. I'm currently running 2-Tunze 6105's and still have dead spots.

I'm debating between:
A) Vertex Alpha 250
B) SRO XP-5000 internal & Vortech MP60
C) Vertex Alpha 300 (IF I can squeeze it into the 18" x 18" skimmer section of my sump)

Just curious what others here would do.

Thanks.

pmrossetti · 03/17/2011, 10:21 PM

I'd get the Alpha myself. Only great reviews on it. 250 will do but that's your choice. here's the 300 in action!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vOexWiZgkw

ArmanS · 03/17/2011, 10:51 PM

alpha 250 imo, great skimmer for your size setup

slief · 03/17/2011, 11:03 PM

I run a 300 on my tank and its a great skimmer. I think the 300 is a bit overkill for your tank and the 250 would be a better choice.

reef_enthusiast · 03/17/2011, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the replies.

How long have you been running your skimmers?
Any issues? If so, how was the customer support?

pmrossetti · 03/17/2011, 11:35 PM

Here's the 250

http://www.viddler.com/explore/************/videos/17/

sorry doesn't work but it does off of google.

aandfsoccr04 · 10/14/2013, 03:24 PM

Also debating a bit on the Sro 5000 ext vs the vertex alpha 250. Any opinions or anyone that has used both? Tank is 220 gallons heavily stocked (5 tangs, trio of anthias, about 8 wrasses, clowns, cardinals, dwarf angels etc. )

azjohnny · 10/14/2013, 03:42 PM

I would get the Alpha skimmer, the pump will process about 800gph while the BB 5000 pump only does 480 and I own a 5000 INT

viggen · 10/14/2013, 06:06 PM

I do not think gph is the most important factor but more a combination of lph, gph and gallons/volume of the skimmer thus dwell time.

I would do the alpha cone only if its still made by bubble king. If its one of the ones from china I would look elsewhere

I do prefer external skimmers...... Gives much better control of skimming

aandfsoccr04 · 10/14/2013, 09:50 PM

Well the alpha is internal and the SRO is external. Right around the same price point.

tkeracer619 · 10/14/2013, 09:57 PM

You had to toss in the mp60... That IME is the best circulation pump ever made.

If it was just the skimmer to skimmer I would go with the Alpha 250 but since its a choice between what you listed I am drawn to the int5000 + mp60.

aandfsoccr04 · 10/15/2013, 08:54 PM

I wasn't talking about the pump. Just the skimmer to skimmer comparison.

03/17/2011, 10:08 PM	#1
reef_enthusiast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 385	Vertex Alpha 250 or SRO XP-5000 internal & MP60 or Vertex Alpha 300 I'm looking to upgrade my current skimmer (H&S A200-2x1260). Tank Specs: 280 gallon (72" x 30" x 30") FOWLR with another 50 gallons in the sump (can be 100 gallons if I run the refugium section). Tank has a very heavy bioload (3 large angels, 4 large tangs, male crosshatch trigger, male bluethroat trigger, picasso trigger, aussie tusk, dragon wrasse, mated true percs). I also feed heavily. Autofeeder dispenses a mix of pellets (1mm, 2mm, & 3mm new life spectrum, small and medium Formula One & Formula Two) 4 times a day. At night I feed a variety of frozen food - either PE mysis, ProSalt carnivore supreme, clams, krill, silversides. I do weekly 45 gallon water changes. I also just started up a sulphur denitrator. Nitrates are 60-80. Been awhile since I read about skimmers. Spent a lot of time reading reviews on here. I was leaning towards the Vertex Alpha 250. However, I stumbled upon the SRO XP-5000 internal. It's half the price and after seeing the reviews I doubt I'll be getting half the performance. For almost the same amount as the Alpha 250 I could get the SRO XP-5000i and a vortech MP60. Figured running the MP60 in nutrient export mode I'll get more waste to the skimmer. I'm currently running 2-Tunze 6105's and still have dead spots. I'm debating between: A) Vertex Alpha 250 B) SRO XP-5000 internal & Vortech MP60 C) Vertex Alpha 300 (IF I can squeeze it into the 18" x 18" skimmer section of my sump) Just curious what others here would do. Thanks.

03/17/2011, 10:51 PM	#3
ArmanS Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 90713 Posts: 1,391	alpha 250 imo, great skimmer for your size setup __________________ 120" x 34" x 30" 540g Build Starting Soon! Royal Exclusiv Dream Box Sump, 2 x 60" ATI LED/T5, DaStaCo CARx, Apex, Genesis, BK SM 250, 3 x RD 3 230w, UV, ATS, & Arid Reactor! Will have build thread so

03/17/2011, 11:03 PM	#4
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I run a 300 on my tank and its a great skimmer. I think the 300 is a bit overkill for your tank and the 250 would be a better choice. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

03/17/2011, 11:35 PM	#6
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Here's the 250 http://www.viddler.com/explore/***********/videos/17/ sorry doesn't work but it does off of google. Last edited by pmrossetti; 03/17/2011 at 11:37 PM. Reason: url failure*

10/14/2013, 03:24 PM	#7
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	Also debating a bit on the Sro 5000 ext vs the vertex alpha 250. Any opinions or anyone that has used both? Tank is 220 gallons heavily stocked (5 tangs, trio of anthias, about 8 wrasses, clowns, cardinals, dwarf angels etc. ) __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

03/17/2011, 10:21 PM	#2
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	I'd get the Alpha myself. Only great reviews on it. 250 will do but that's your choice. here's the 300 in action!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vOexWiZgkw

03/17/2011, 11:13 PM	#5
reef_enthusiast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 385	Thanks for the replies. How long have you been running your skimmers? Any issues? If so, how was the customer support?

10/14/2013, 03:42 PM	#8
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	I would get the Alpha skimmer, the pump will process about 800gph while the BB 5000 pump only does 480 and I own a 5000 INT

10/14/2013, 06:06 PM	#9
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	I do not think gph is the most important factor but more a combination of lph, gph and gallons/volume of the skimmer thus dwell time. I would do the alpha cone only if its still made by bubble king. If its one of the ones from china I would look elsewhere I do prefer external skimmers...... Gives much better control of skimming __________________ A tub of fish

10/14/2013, 09:50 PM	#10
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	Well the alpha is internal and the SRO is external. Right around the same price point. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

10/14/2013, 09:57 PM	#11
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You had to toss in the mp60... That IME is the best circulation pump ever made. If it was just the skimmer to skimmer I would go with the Alpha 250 but since its a choice between what you listed I am drawn to the int5000 + mp60. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/15/2013, 08:54 PM	#12
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	I wasn't talking about the pump. Just the skimmer to skimmer comparison. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

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