Vertex Aquaristik and Royal Exclusiv have made some minor changes improvements to the highly anticipated Alpha 250 Cone skimmer. Specifically a 300lph boost in air intake. Jeremy B. of Premium Aquatics broke the news regarding the new Venturi design created by Klaus, bumping up air intake by 20%. Typically Bubble King skimmers use a screw [...]
Vertex Aquaristik and Royal Exclusiv have made some minor changes improvements to the highly anticipated Alpha 250 Cone skimmer. Specifically a 300lph boost in air intake.
Jeremy B. of Premium Aquatics broke the news regarding the new Venturi design created by Klaus, bumping up air intake by 20%. Typically Bubble King skimmers use a screw nozzle that adjusted the air intake and water flow on the skimmer (see image to the right). However, this often confuses owners; Vertex and RE wanted this to be as simple as possible. Each Alpha 250 skimmer will come with (2) venturi inserts that slide into the pump input and volute. The difference between them is only 3mm, but they allow for the original 1500lph or an increased 1800lph of air intake. The swap is quick, easy, and near impossible to screw up.
More air sounds better, but for smaller aquariums with less bioload the 1500lph is for you. For those in the upper limits of the Alpha 250 more air intake can be pushed through to help handle the nutrient load. The venturi inserts are pointed out in the photo below.
Here’s a close up of the Venturi with the 1500lph insert already placed inside. Also note, the ozone port (gray nipple) will come on all production models.
There has also been confusion regarding when these will arrive to customers. The first initial, tiny, and sold out shipment has recently landed in the USA and will be arriving at GBD sponsor Premium Aquatics in 5-6 days. Those that jumped on the initial pre-order should receive theirs in less than 10 days. A second larger order will be coming in 3-4 weeks from Germany and will make these skimmer once again available.
Full Stats:
Cone inside diameter : Bottom 10.2″ (260mm)
Top 6.2″ (160mm)
Neck: 5.8″ (150mm)
Flange : 11.79″ (300 mm)
Foot Print: 11.79″ x 16.5″ (300 x 420mm) including pump
Height: 23.58″ (600mm)
Conecolumn height : 12.58″ (320mm)
Bottom plate and Lid: 0.4″ (10 mm) White PVC plate
Outletpipe : 2″ (50mm) red
Inlet : 1.25″ (32mm) removable
Silencer :. 2.5″ (63 mm)Resonator
Connection from Pump to Skimmer : 1.2″ (30mm) Siliconehose
Air hose: 0.4″ (10mm) ID Silicone hose
Pump : Custom made Mini Red dragon 1500
Screws : Titanium
Airintake : 1500 LPH (up to 1800lph)
Water Intake: 3000 LPH
Rated for: 130g to 450g
Fully disassembled for cleaning
We’re also happy to be the first to announce that an external Vertex-RE Cone Skimmer will come in the future–I believe it will be called The Omega. The Omega series is still in a developmental stage, but is next on the agenda for Vertex once the full Alpha series is complete. More news on that as it progresses, in the mean time enjoy the additional Alpha photos below.
