Vertex Alpha 250 Proper depth/Instructions (1 Viewer)

[Pond Scum]

Anyone have knowledge concerning old Vertex Alpha 250 skimmer? I inherited this great big beauty. Sump is 9.5" deep where it sits, see attached pic. Wanted to see if any seasoned reefers know what range of depth Vertex instructions gave. I'm thinking around 7.5" might be better. I've been searching for awhile with no luck. Also, best way to raise it, pvc legs and eggcrate?
Thank you for any help!

 

[cigmin]

I have omega and 7.5 is what I have it set in


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[Pond Scum]

I have omega and 7.5 is what I have it set in


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Cigmin,
Thank you, I lifted it 2" to 7.5". Slight improvement. But I think I need to go to Skimmer Tuning school!

 

[Ostentum]

I run the 250 in 9”

 

[Cody]

In theory, you want the skimmer raised to the maximum height before it can’t efficiently push gunk into the collection cup. Needle wheel pumps don’t push much head height, so you can raise it too high very easily. However, the higher the skimmer is placed (in comparison to the water level) the lower the flow through the chamber will be, thus more contact time, and more potential skimmate production. It’s simply a matter of adjusting until you find the sweet spot. Give it a week on each inch increment to find the best result, then stick with that.

 

[Birdman]

Anyone have knowledge concerning old Vertex Alpha 250 skimmer? I inherited this great big beauty. Sump is 9.5" deep where it sits, see attached pic. Wanted to see if any seasoned reefers know what range of depth Vertex instructions gave. I'm thinking around 7.5" might be better. I've been searching for awhile with no luck. Also, best way to raise it, pvc legs and eggcrate?
Thank you for any help!

how big of tank do you have it on

 

[Pond Scum]

I run the 250 in 9”

Thank you.

 

[Pond Scum]

In theory, you want the skimmer raised to the maximum height before it can’t efficiently push gunk into the collection cup. Needle wheel pumps don’t push much head height, so you can raise it too high very easily. However, the higher the skimmer is placed (in comparison to the water level) the lower the flow through the chamber will be, thus more contact time, and more potential skimmate production. It’s simply a matter of adjusting until you find the sweet spot. Give it a week on each inch increment to find the best result, then stick with that.

Sooo, you're saying I have to be patient.. Thank you!

 

[Cody]

Sooo, you're saying I have to be patient.. Thank you!

That’s precisely what I’m saying. However, not too patient. Give it a week, then make an adjustment. I’ve used needle wheel skimmers that performed well, didn’t adjust the water height, but simply added more fish and fed more, and they performed better. They needed just a little more gunk to filter out before they became two or three fold more productive. At the end of the day, we are mostly playing a guessing game with our skimmers.

 

[Pond Scum]

how big of tank do you have it on

My apologies, missed your question when you posted. I have a 210- 2x2x7

 

[Erin]

My apologies, missed your question when you posted. I have a 210- 2x2x7

Beautiful tank! Old school Oceanic I’m guessing.

 

[Pond Scum]

Beautiful tank! Old school Oceanic I’m guessing.

Thank you. I think your right, oceanic. Had resealed and new front glass when I got it.

 

[Erin]

Thank you. I think your right, oceanic. Had resealed and new front glass when I got it.

I recognize the giant glass brace, lol. Of course, it’s not so bad on a longer tank, but on my 90, a 12 inch obstacle isn’t fun to work around.

 

[Pond Scum]

I recognize the giant glass brace, lol. Of course, it’s not so bad on a longer tank, but on my 90, a 12 inch obstacle isn’t fun to work around.

Hate when I decide a coral really needs to be on the other side of the two foot barrier . Just posted question if I need to concern about lighting, and you can see the it definitely affects the middle numbers.

 

[Erin]

Hate when I decide a coral really needs to be on the other side of the two foot barrier . Just posted question if I need to concern about lighting, and you can see the it definitely affects the middle numbers.

Yeah. I recently borrowed one of the marsh par meters and it confirmed what I already knew, lol. Luckily I love mushrooms and other low light corals. The only positive is that with 2 hydra 26 lights, I don't have to worry about that big hotspot in the middle and can pretty much keep them at whatever height above the tank that's best for the corals in the other sections.