Are these new Vertex all-in-one sumps really worth $2500?

Salty150 · 04/05/2016, 12:21 PM

Are these new Vertex all-in-one sumps really worth $2500?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/i-supra-200i.html

Mark426 · 04/05/2016, 12:36 PM

Uhhh...no

dianapickles · 04/05/2016, 12:51 PM

I mean, if I pooped money I wouldn't mind getting one.

DivingTheWorld · 04/05/2016, 12:52 PM

You'd have the most expensive sump of it's small size, there's that to brag about...

Seems like it would be a pain to clean with all that stuff packed in there.

Salty150 · 04/05/2016, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivingTheWorld

You'd have the most expensive sump of it's small size, there's that to brag about...

Seems like it would be a pain to clean with all that stuff packed in there.

I really like the idea of how clean looking it is... no wires and tubes going every which way, etc - I am sort of OCD, lol

Plus it is very well made, and it is Vertex...

On another note - how do you like your Radion 15 Pros? I am looking to get 3 of them for my 60" long X 18 wide X 26 deep tank.

DivingTheWorld · 04/05/2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty150

I really like the idea of how clean looking it is... no wires and tubes going every which way, etc - I am sort of OCD, lol

Plus it is very well made, and it is Vertex...

On another note - how do you like your Radion 15 Pros? I am looking to get 3 of them for my 60" long X 18 wide X 26 deep tank.

I like them. They're very modern looking and definitely grow SPS. The coverage is a little narrow since they put all the LEDs in a little puck in the center. If I had done it over, I'd probably get a pair of 30's instead of 15's. Not to make them brighter, they're bright enough, but to provide for better coverage. But I think two 15's is better than one 30 and provides for better coverage.

I definitely like clean sumps, but I also know how quickly a clean sump can become a dirty sump. And if it's difficult to clean, it will stay dirty. I regret is not getting a longer tank, which means longer stand and longer sump. Not to stuff in more stuff, but to have more room to work/clean everything. I still keep mine clean, but it's a hassle.

Bent · 04/05/2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianapickles

I mean, if I pooped money I wouldn't mind getting one.

I was getting ready to type this exact response. Lol

d2mini · 04/05/2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianapickles

I mean, if I pooped money I wouldn't mind getting one.

LOLOLOL!!!!

Salty150 · 04/05/2016, 02:35 PM

If you add up all of the parts, and plumbing pieces, etc. it comes out pretty close - maybe $300-$400 more.

Mark426 · 04/05/2016, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty150

I really like the idea of how clean looking it is... no wires and tubes going every which way, etc - I am sort of OCD, lol

Plus it is very well made, and it is Vertex...
.

Unless they have figured out how to power everything wirelessly and magically transfer liquid thru the air....there will be LOTS of wires and tubes.

Honestly....I like Vertex stuff and the quality is always top notch, but this one seems to have too much stuff in too little space regardless of the price.

Salty150 · 04/05/2016, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark426

Unless they have figured out how to power everything wirelessly and magically transfer liquid thru the air....there will be LOTS of wires and tubes.

Honestly....I like Vertex stuff and the quality is always top notch, but this one seems to have too much stuff in too little space regardless of the price.

I think you missed the important part of my posting:

I really like the idea of how clean looking it is... no wires and tubes going every which way, etc - I am sort of OCD, lol

If you watch the how to set this sump up video - you can see a lot of thought has gone into it.

Power cable/cords are all hidden and covered and routed to the sides of the sump and out a single hole.

Probe wires are all hidden and covered and routed to the sides of the sump.

Dosing tubing is all hidden and covered and routed to the sides of the sump.

Etc.

There are two dedicated slots for MarinePure 1" ceramic plates.

There is even a valve to bypass the skimmer compartment so you don't interrupt the flow of water to the aquarium when cleaning the skimmer or other equipment in the skimmer compartment.

Etc.

This is an extremely well thought out design.

jrp1588 · 04/05/2016, 03:57 PM

If you aren't completely scoffing at the price tag, then you clearly have more money than you know what to do with. Why not? I don't think many people on their board will tell you that it's 'worth it' though. I'm not sure I've spent $2500 total on my 125gal system.

biecacka · 04/05/2016, 04:13 PM

It's like the bubble King Dreambox. They are beautiful but pricey.

Corey

Salty150 · 04/05/2016, 04:14 PM

LOL, oh, I am scoffing at the price... lol

Griff500 · 04/05/2016, 04:32 PM

Exit from the zeovit reactor straight into the skimmer input...

jmm · 04/05/2016, 04:39 PM

I like it. If I was building a tank that fits that size, I might get it.

GimpyFin · 04/05/2016, 04:44 PM

They look nice and well built. Not my style though even if I had 2500 to drop. Too much stuff going on in a small box.

heathlindner25 · 04/05/2016, 05:03 PM

Some of the best tanks in my house have a minimalistic filtration systems. The tanks I have gone overboard with on filtration often seem to suffer for one reason or another. This is just my observation, that's sump is sexy, just doesn't work at all on my kind of reefing.

Rogger Castells · 04/05/2016, 06:31 PM

I used to like vertex equipment until everything that I got from them started breaking way quicker than they should have, for the longest time I thought that their products were German made by the manufacturers of Bubble King skimmers, Royal exclusiv but with a more affordable price, however they are actually a cheap Chinese replica of Royal exclusiv products, I believe at one point RE did do their skimmers but that was just at the beginning.
I went ahead and purchased one of the last sumps that RE imported into USA and although I have not set it up yet, I am completely fascinated by the craftmanship and the tons of thoughtful and useful details.

I am not Ocd but I do prefer to have an organized sump that allows for expansion and looks good! Ill post some pics as soon as I get the camera battery charged up

Jeff4777 · 04/05/2016, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianapickles

I mean, if I pooped money I wouldn't mind getting one.

Rofl

moatdaddy · 04/05/2016, 07:50 PM

but it has free shipping, cant pass on that offer!

TONY_C · 04/05/2016, 08:36 PM

I wanted to get one but I couldn't fit it in my Bugatti.

saf1 · 04/05/2016, 09:09 PM

It really isn't a efficient design at all with regards to maintenance. Consider changing the filter sock at the very least. That was only looking at the first image for a few seconds.

kurfer · 04/06/2016, 01:20 AM

Those things are so tightly packed with ****...

They would stay looking good and clean for a day and then look terrible. After reefing for 4 years now the one thing I HAVE to have is a clean open easy access sump.

D-Nak · 04/06/2016, 01:57 AM

This is tough. You're basically paying for a custom filtration system at a custom price, but it's an off-the-shelf system.

I've seen this system in person at a LFS, and it's top notch but far from perfect. Though it's crowded, it's well designed, and with all of the tubing and wires routed in special channels, it's the cleanest system I've ever seen. Given all of the labor involved in creating a sump of this caliber--imagine assembling all of pieces required to create the channels and holders for the tubing alone--I can see why it's so expensive.

The problem is that this isn't a custom system. If I were to build one from scratch, I would make it significantly larger to not only hold more water, but also to give me more wiggle room (as others have mentioned everything fits very snugly--too tight IMO). The sock holder is in a terrible location and for a 120-260 gallon system that it's rated for, I'd want dual 8" socks that most of the newer sumps provide. I'd also want top covers with a cut out for the skimmer collection cup.

I waited a long time for Vertex to release their sump. It was announced years ago and they had demo units at many tradeshows, but nothing happened. Then this full-blown system was released. If Vertex sold the sump separately, I think people would buy it, especially if they made it in different sizes. It would obviously be the most expensive sump on the market given all the bells and whistles, but most of us already have skimmers and return pumps and whatnot and we could slowly add more components when we had the money.

For example, when I wanted to buy the Vertex sump, I had a Vertex Omega 150 and Vertex V6 pump. However, as my needs changed and new technology became available, I sold the Omega 150 for a ATB 840 v3 with DC pump, I sold the V6 for a Ecotech Marine Vectra, and bought a large Trigger Systems tideline sump. In terms of price, those three components were about $1600, but it was much easier to buy each one separately instead of dropping all the cash down at once.

Long story short, if you want top of the line, opt for a custom RE Dreambox. Vertex gave it a good try but fell short, especially for the $2500 price tag.

04/05/2016, 12:21 PM	#1
Salty150 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,345	Are these new Vertex all-in-one sumps really worth $2500? Are these new Vertex all-in-one sumps really worth $2500? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/i-supra-200i.html

04/05/2016, 12:52 PM	#4
DivingTheWorld Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 1,963	You'd have the most expensive sump of it's small size, there's that to brag about... Seems like it would be a pain to clean with all that stuff packed in there. __________________ Current Tank Info: LeeMar Rimless (40x24x22), ATI 8x39 Dimmable w/Reefbrite XHO, 2x Vortech MP40w QD w/ Battery Backup, Apex Gold, Trigger Systems Ruby30S, Reef Octopus POV-DC1 w/Auto Waste Collector

04/05/2016, 09:09 PM	#23
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	It really isn't a efficient design at all with regards to maintenance. Consider changing the filter sock at the very least. That was only looking at the first image for a few seconds. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef

04/06/2016, 01:57 AM	#25
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	This is tough. You're basically paying for a custom filtration system at a custom price, but it's an off-the-shelf system. I've seen this system in person at a LFS, and it's top notch but far from perfect. Though it's crowded, it's well designed, and with all of the tubing and wires routed in special channels, it's the cleanest system I've ever seen. Given all of the labor involved in creating a sump of this caliber--imagine assembling all of pieces required to create the channels and holders for the tubing alone--I can see why it's so expensive. The problem is that this isn't a custom system. If I were to build one from scratch, I would make it significantly larger to not only hold more water, but also to give me more wiggle room (as others have mentioned everything fits very snugly--too tight IMO). The sock holder is in a terrible location and for a 120-260 gallon system that it's rated for, I'd want dual 8" socks that most of the newer sumps provide. I'd also want top covers with a cut out for the skimmer collection cup. I waited a long time for Vertex to release their sump. It was announced years ago and they had demo units at many tradeshows, but nothing happened. Then this full-blown system was released. If Vertex sold the sump separately, I think people would buy it, especially if they made it in different sizes. It would obviously be the most expensive sump on the market given all the bells and whistles, but most of us already have skimmers and return pumps and whatnot and we could slowly add more components when we had the money. For example, when I wanted to buy the Vertex sump, I had a Vertex Omega 150 and Vertex V6 pump. However, as my needs changed and new technology became available, I sold the Omega 150 for a ATB 840 v3 with DC pump, I sold the V6 for a Ecotech Marine Vectra, and bought a large Trigger Systems tideline sump. In terms of price, those three components were about $1600, but it was much easier to buy each one separately instead of dropping all the cash down at once. Long story short, if you want top of the line, opt for a custom RE Dreambox. Vertex gave it a good try but fell short, especially for the $2500 price tag. __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx.

04/05/2016, 12:36 PM	#2
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Uhhh...no

04/05/2016, 12:51 PM	#3
dianapickles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 171	I mean, if I pooped money I wouldn't mind getting one.

04/05/2016, 02:35 PM	#9
Salty150 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,345	If you add up all of the parts, and plumbing pieces, etc. it comes out pretty close - maybe $300-$400 more.

04/05/2016, 03:57 PM	#12
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	If you aren't completely scoffing at the price tag, then you clearly have more money than you know what to do with. Why not? I don't think many people on their board will tell you that it's 'worth it' though. I'm not sure I've spent $2500 total on my 125gal system.

04/05/2016, 04:13 PM	#13
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	It's like the bubble King Dreambox. They are beautiful but pricey. Corey

04/05/2016, 04:14 PM	#14
Salty150 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,345	LOL, oh, I am scoffing at the price... lol

04/05/2016, 04:32 PM	#15
Griff500 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: A green place near London, UK Posts: 172	Exit from the zeovit reactor straight into the skimmer input...

04/05/2016, 04:39 PM	#16
jmm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 569	I like it. If I was building a tank that fits that size, I might get it.

04/05/2016, 04:44 PM	#17
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	They look nice and well built. Not my style though even if I had 2500 to drop. Too much stuff going on in a small box.

04/05/2016, 05:03 PM	#18
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Some of the best tanks in my house have a minimalistic filtration systems. The tanks I have gone overboard with on filtration often seem to suffer for one reason or another. This is just my observation, that's sump is sexy, just doesn't work at all on my kind of reefing.

04/05/2016, 06:31 PM	#19
Rogger Castells Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Weston, FL Posts: 7,495	I used to like vertex equipment until everything that I got from them started breaking way quicker than they should have, for the longest time I thought that their products were German made by the manufacturers of Bubble King skimmers, Royal exclusiv but with a more affordable price, however they are actually a cheap Chinese replica of Royal exclusiv products, I believe at one point RE did do their skimmers but that was just at the beginning. I went ahead and purchased one of the last sumps that RE imported into USA and although I have not set it up yet, I am completely fascinated by the craftmanship and the tons of thoughtful and useful details. I am not Ocd but I do prefer to have an organized sump that allows for expansion and looks good! Ill post some pics as soon as I get the camera battery charged up

04/05/2016, 07:50 PM	#21
moatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Panama City beach florida Posts: 848	but it has free shipping, cant pass on that offer!

04/05/2016, 08:36 PM	#22
TONY_C Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: N. Bellmore, Long Island, NY Posts: 92	I wanted to get one but I couldn't fit it in my Bugatti.

04/06/2016, 01:20 AM	#24
kurfer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 285	Those things are so tightly packed with ****... They would stay looking good and clean for a day and then look terrible. After reefing for 4 years now the one thing I HAVE to have is a clean open easy access sump.