Tired of Vertex Alpha

[TvanB1]

No matter what I have tried over the years my vertex alpha never seems to skim consistently. After numerous attempts at changing the water level, air, return, etc... nothing stops it from pulsating. It will skim just fine for about a week and then begin pulsing and spitting out microbubbles no matter what I have tried. The pump seems to have weakened over the past few years and doesn’t pull as much water as it used to, not that it ever worked well from the beginning. I took apart and cleaned the pump multiple times to check for any obstructions that may be slowing it down. I may try to get a completely different pump and fit it on the body of the skimmer to see if that changes anything.
Any tips? I have sent a few emails to vertex/royal support but never got anything back.
Also considering switching to deltec.

 

[Reefpharmer]

Isn’t vertex out of business ? Don’t think they will return emails any longer. The body of the skimmer is fine. You can try to get another pump if you feel your current one isn’t cutting it. Try matching the lph air flow

 

[TvanB1]

Isn’t vertex out of business ? Don’t think they will return emails any longer. The body of the skimmer is fine. You can try to get another pump if you feel your current one isn’t cutting it. Try matching the lph air flow

I wouldn’t be surprised. I sent emails a year or two ago when they were still running and never got any in return.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Which model do you have?

 

[TvanB1]

Which model do you have?

Alpha 170
Any recommendations for a new pump?

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Maybe you can borrow a DC skimmer pump, there are a lot of refers in the Bay area, have you tried turning down the air,? the skimmer came out when more air was better instead of what is a perfect balanced skimmer. Also, it had a big neck making it even more difficult to work with.

 

[TvanB1]

Maybe you can borrow a DC skimmer pump, there are a lot of refers in the Bay area, have you tried turning down the air,? the skimmer came out when more air was better instead of what is a perfect balanced skimmer. Also, it had a big neck making it even more difficult to work with.

I have tried everything as far as flow, air, other tuning.
ill try to find a dc pump locally