Vertex Alpha Cone 170 vs. Vertex IN-180

What's the difference between the two? Besides $500, I mean. ;-)

Or a better question might be, what do I get for $500 if I go for the Alpha Cone that I wouldn't get with the IN-180? Or, does the cost all go into the smaller footprint, and quieter operation?

I've been (barely) getting by with a Marineland skimmer, but its poor performance has convinced me to upgrade.

Typically, what advantages do high end skimmers give you over mid range models?

 

first off cone skimmers have a better design to them.
2nd the skimming of a cone is way more effcient on distrbuting garbage from your bioload.
Your going to be able to keep more livestock in your tank then you thought because going with a cone type gives you more access to remove quicker waste from ur system.
thus this being said,that's my 2 cents as I know there are more reasons but not into getting that info yet.