Vertex Alpha 250 Skimmer with red Dragon 1500 pump

CC13 · Sep 17, 2020

I have a Vertex Alpha 250 that came originally with a Red Dragon 1500 pump. Anyone have this skimmer that used a replacement pump successfully? The pump went out this week and I need to buy a new one.

I have read some have used the motor blocks from a Laguna Maxflo 1500 pump but I am unable to find these anywhere currently for sale. Anyone have a solution? Ideally looking for someone that has successfully done this pump swap so I know it works.

Thanks guys!

jda · Sep 17, 2020

I have no experience with this actual skimmer body, but i have replaced dead pumps with Sicce PSK and Tunze Hydrofoamers with good experiences. I just match the GPH the best that I can - they all are different sizes and Tunze has some sizes that are not the same as the Sicce. Both of those really mix some air and water.

I have not seen a Laguna 1500 in a long time. Maybe the 1350 has the same block? Fluval SP series uses Askol blocks as well if this helps at all.

CC13 · Sep 17, 2020

jda said:
I have no experience with this actual skimmer body, but i have replaced dead pumps with Sicce PSK and Tunze Hydrofoamers with good experiences. I just match the GPH the best that I can - they all are different sizes and Tunze has some sizes that are not the same as the Sicce. Both of those really mix some air and water.

I have not seen a Laguna 1500 in a long time. Maybe the 1350 has the same block? Fluval SP series uses Askol blocks as well if this helps at all.

Thanks for the reply! I have also read on using the Askol 1500... any idea where to buy one of these?

From some digging, I believe this is the same block I have from Royal Exclusive which will work, but in all honesty, for $300+ on just a new motor block I mine as well buy a new updated skimmer:

part motor-block for BK Double Cone 130 - 250 - Royal Exclusiv USA CORP /// royalexclusiv.com

part motor-block for Bubble King® Double Cone 130-250

royalexclusiv.com

jda · Sep 17, 2020

Nope. Askol is the company that makes the pump blocks for many types of pumps including Laguna and Fluval. I have never seen an actual Askol pump, but I have heard that there are some in Europe. Some say that the new Sicce pumps have Askol blocks, but I have no experience with this.

Chibils · Sep 18, 2020

CC13 said:
From some digging, I believe this is the same block I have from Royal Exclusive which will work, but in all honesty, for $300+ on just a new motor block I mine as well buy a new updated skimmer:

part motor-block for BK Double Cone 130 - 250 - Royal Exclusiv USA CORP /// royalexclusiv.com

part motor-block for Bubble King® Double Cone 130-250

royalexclusiv.com

Worth it to buy a decent pump that'll get this thing working, like the Sicce or TUNZE, unless you want to spend at least twice that for a new skimmer.

The Vertex Alpha was a Royal Exclusiv/Bubble King design and manufacture, if I remember correctly. It is an excellent skimmer, even today.

CC13 · Sep 18, 2020

Chibils said:
Worth it to buy a decent pump that'll get this thing working, like the Sicce or TUNZE, unless you want to spend at least twice that for a new skimmer. The Vertex Alpha was a Royal Exclusiv/Bubble King design and manufacture, if I remember correctly. It is an excellent skimmer, even today.

I agree, I am more than happy with its performance. Any idea what Sicce/Tunze pump would work? I have never really retro-fitted a pump with a skimmer and don't want to buy a pump and then figure out after that its not compatible.

Someone passed along Vertex's email/website but I don't know if it has changed....it doesn't seem to be working:
www.vertextechnologies.net

Chibils · Sep 18, 2020

Vertex is kinda in tailspin right now. Dunno if they're out of business or just in the process of it. I was going off jda's recommendations ("match the GPH as closely as you can"), as I've never had to replace a skimmer pump either. I may have to with my Euro Reef's little Sedra if I ever get my next build off the ground, so let me know how it goes.