Is this a Bubble King cone skimmer? Not exactly. As we said before, Royal Exclusiv is a maker of “all types” of skimmers only this time they have teamed up with Vertex Aquaristik to create the new Royal Exclusiv-Vertex Alpha Cone Skimmer. Shown below are the 4 different vacuum-thermoformed cones that will be used on [...]
Is this a Bubble King cone skimmer? Not exactly. As we said before, Royal Exclusiv is a maker of “all types” of skimmers only this time they have teamed up with Vertex Aquaristik to create the new Royal Exclusiv-Vertex Alpha Cone Skimmer. Shown below are the 4 different vacuum-thermoformed cones that will be used on the Alpha line.
These skimmers will still feature the same quality CNC machined parts that have made Bubble Kings notorious, but at a lower price point from the reduced cost of the seamless cone body. As you can see by the photos, the cone body will be completely removable via screws so that the entire skimmer can be disassembled in a modular fashion. Expect these skimmers to be marketed as made by Royal Exclusiv, but still under the Vertex brand. Here’s a new RE-Vertex Cone during testing in Germany.
The collection cup transition will allow a perfectly smooth transition from the body to the neck, and can easily removed with just a lift much like the Bubble King Mini line. (Don’t be surprised if some black color makes it way into this design in the future, to better match the skimmer with Vertex’s color scheme.)
Expect the RE-Vertex Cones to compete with the more economic cone skimmers currently on the market. As for definitive pricing the Alpha 250 Cone will be introduced at $999 (With free shipping from Premium Aquatics for all pre-orders made before they arrive.) The Alpha 250 RE Vertex Cone Skimmer measures in at 23″ tall with a 10″ base plate. The 250 is in reference to the 250mm body size at the lower most portion of the cone which then reduces to a 6″ neck. This has been appropriately matched to the Bubble King Red Dragon 1500 pump for 1,500LPH at just 38w.
The Alpha 250 and the one other “smaller” model will both be powered by the Red Dragon 1500, but much like the larger Bubble King Delux line, expect a difference in volutes, venturis, and needlewheels to appropriately adjust the air intake for each respective skimmer body.
The two larger Alpha Cones will eventually be available with an 80w RD2 DC Skimmer pump that will allow the user to adjust the RPM to their needs; in turn the change in RPMs will effect air draw and ultimately performance. This is currently planned to be released later as an upgrade.
Now, there has also been talk and rumors of an automatic airflow control device. We’ll share more definitive information when it becomes available, but for now we do know that it is being developed and the meter will connect to a digital device like the upcoming Ocean Simulator RD2 DC Controller. At this time there is no word if this air control will be a standalone or integrated unit.
For roughly the first quarter of the year expect aggressive promotional pricing on these models. This means the Alpha 250’s $999 intro price wont last forever; Pre-orders are now being accepted.
