Vertex alpha series

[R&J Reefs]

Looking eitherat the vertex alpha 170 or 200 . On the fence imo for both on my tank size . I’ve heard these skimmers are beasts and underrated per vertexs gallon size . My tanks total cap. Will be 220 gallons and stocked light .

 

[Torqued]

Looking eitherat the vertex alpha 170 or 200 . On the fence imo for both on my tank size . I’ve heard these skimmers are beasts and underrated per vertexs gallon size . My tanks total cap. Will be 220 gallons and stocked light .

In my experience the vertex 200 is a VERY finicky skimmer. It requires frequent fiddling and cleaning because any tiny adjustment has big effects. For example if u have ANY algae in your sump, and even a tiny amount gets into the needlewheel it will drop the air intake and it will stop skimming right. I also had issues with it constantly overflowing. While it skims great if everything was prefect, it almost certainly would need messing with within 7 days to keep it that way.

Bottom line, it's more trouble than it was worth....I replaced it with a lifereef 30

 

[spscrackhead]

I have a vertex alpha 170 for the past 1.5 years on my heavily stocked system. 200 total gals, 175 display, 30 gal stocked frag tank.
The skimmer is legit. Set and forget.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Vertex Omega 180 wait for the Black Friday sale that skimmer is the most stable of the Omega line.