New Vertex Internal Protein Skimmer Model

[acroholic]

Take a look at this. I think this thing is built by Bubble King. Even has an ozone injection port. Not bad at $349. Vertex claims up to a 150 gallon heavily stocked reef tank. I have found Vertex claims to be reasonable, at least in their BK built Alpha line. Pump is not a Red Dragon, but first impessions it looks like a nice unit.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-150-internal-protein-skimmer">http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-150-internal-protein-skimmer</a>


[IMG]http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/m/omega2_sm.jpg alt="" />

 

[containerman1]

I saw this and I thought about running it by you. I was thinking of getting the Alpha 170 but I saw this new unit for up to 150 and thought I might give it a try.
I have a couple mths during the holidays I will keep my ears out for some reviews to start comming out.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Acroholic;816512 wrote: Take a look at this. I think this thing is built by Bubble King. Even has an ozone injection port. Not bad at $349. Vertex claims up to a 150 gallon heavily stocked reef tank. I have found Vertex claims to be reasonable, at least in their BK built Alpha line. Pump is not a Red Dragon, but first impessions it looks like a nice unit.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-150-internal-protein-skimmer">http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/vertex-omega-150-internal-protein-skimmer</a>


[IMG]http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/m/omega2_sm.jpg alt="" />

IMO, and My opinion only, what makes the Bubble King/Vertex skimmers worthwhile IS the red dragon pump, and the method of air injection. If Im not mistaken, this is just a Sicce pump with a venturi. Meh...

 

[jef4y]

I would agree with Jeremy. Vertex makes a nice skimmer body, but the money is in the pump. The OEM/Cheap pumps that Vertex uses on lower end skimmers are garbage.

This could be a case of having a decent skimmer and making it awesome with a pump upgrade though!

 

[containerman1]

jmaneyapanda;816542 wrote: IMO, and My opinion only, what makes the Bubble King/Vertex skimmers worthwhile IS the red dragon pump, and the method of air injection. If Im not mistaken, this is just a Sicce pump with a venturi. Meh...

I was thinking to stick with the Vertex Alpha 170 -200 series since it was suppose to be really quiet and uses the Red Dragon pump.
I guess I was tempted by the 350+ price compared to the 800+
But I am trying to stick with the buy once and last theory.

 

[glxtrix]

It is indeed a Sicce pump...apparently custom built for BK/vertex. I'm not a fan of them personally, but if done correctly, which hopefully these new blocks are, they are good performers.

 

[ralph atl]

I have a sicce pump, and I love it!

I am sure that a Red Dragon is better, but is a skimmer really going to export that much more nutrients to warrant $450.00 bucks more? 'ell no! no way!


I have this one "rated 300" on my 90....

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TS-BURSA.html">http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TS-BURSA.html</a>

I would get this actually before mine.....most likely anyway...lol.
[B]New Vertex Internal Protein Skimmer Model[/B]

 

[acroholic]

I don't really agree that it is all in the pump. Sure the pump is important, but the skimmer body looks like a BK in almost every way, down to the titanium screws holding everything together. I bet the body has real quality feel, like a BK Mini or an Alpha Vertex. How many sub $400 skimmers have an O3 port in them?

 

[ralph atl]

....oooo....just hit 8K posts on your awesome thread, lol........I best take a rest! lol

I'll check in to Muse...

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">Muse - Uprising - YouTube</div>

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Acroholic;816696 wrote: I don't really agree that it is all in the pump. Sure the pump is important, but the skimmer body looks like a BK in almost every way, down to the titanium screws holding everything together. I bet the body has real quality feel, like a BK Mini or an Alpha Vertex. How many sub $400 skimmers have an O3 port in them?

Isn't that just non functional trim work though? I agree that skimmers should be strong and sturdy, but I'm not sure titanium screws are anything but a "fun" feature. And an ozone port? What is that so special for when simply teeing in the Venturi line is exactly the same?

Again, not saying this skimmer is good or bad, and it may be an awesome quality for price, but it seems a rather run of the mill skimmer to me.

 

[acroholic]

Well, anyone's guess as to performance, but the build quality at the price point looks good from what I can see in the pics, at least compared to other skimmers in this price range. I like the convenience of separate O3 ports on my Alphas, and they are engineered with their own intake into the volute separate from the air intake on the volute, which they appear to be on this. Just looks like a high quality build in a not too expensive skimmer. Titanium screws don't rust, so to me they are more than just mere baubles.

I've also never seen PVC welded to acrylic in a $350 skimmer before, usually just an acrylic tube glued into an acrylic hole, with the tube then glued to a PVC fitting.

Sure you can DIY in O3 if you want, but with this one you don't have to. This skimmer has some thoughtful design and nice extras you don't get at this price point very often. The entire skimmer also looks to come apart for cleaning, which is something some other skimmers costing similar don't do, like some Reef Octopus models.

Hopefully it works as good as it looks.

 

[acroholic]

mysterybox;816700 wrote: ....oooo....just hit 8K posts on your awesome thread, lol........I best take a rest! lol

I'll check in to Muse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog">Muse - Uprising - YouTube</a>[/QUOTE]


Hehehe...congratulations Ralph!!!!:thumbs: