Vertex omega 150 being a pita.

Docdiggy · 03/09/2018, 04:17 PM

This skimmer is used and worked great for months. Now it needs constant adjusting. It's in a constant water level chamber. Today the adjuster was almost all the way open and the skimmer was practically overflowing. I've taken the pump apart twice and see no clogging and it's roughly in 7-8 inches of water. Any ideas what else to look for?

Lsufan · 03/09/2018, 06:24 PM

What size tank is it on? The omega skimmers can be finicky when they are overrated for the tank. Unlike most skimmers who overate tank size for skimmers, vertex actually underates theirs imo. Water depth also makes a big difference on these skimmers. I know my 130 has to be in 6.5” to a maximum of 7” of water. Any more then 7” & it gets finicky

nikon187 · 03/09/2018, 08:16 PM

have you checked the airline to make sure it doesnt have salt build up inside or the volute?

dkwatts15 · 03/09/2018, 08:17 PM

I have had the Omega 130 for 4 years and they are finicky. I have mine in 8” of water depth. I find that taking the small air valve that comes with MJ 1200 pumps on putting it on the intake after a pump/ skimmer cleaning helps dial it in. I just place it on the intake open up the stand pipe and adjust both slowly over a few days till it dialed in. I then remove the air valve and put my Co2 scrubber tube on. Skimmer is a beast once dialed in. I attached a pic of the skim mate and I just emptied & cleaned the cup completely Sunday.

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rc1626 · 03/09/2018, 09:14 PM

Check your impeller shaft. They are ceramic and often chip at the base where it enters the bushing in the pump. When mine chipped the bubble level in the skimmer dropped significantly which caused no skimmate production.
Just a thought.

I replaced the stock pump with a Tunze hydrofoamer pump on the 150 and its been rock solid for a little over a year now.

03/09/2018, 04:17 PM	#1
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	Vertex omega 150 being a pita. This skimmer is used and worked great for months. Now it needs constant adjusting. It's in a constant water level chamber. Today the adjuster was almost all the way open and the skimmer was practically overflowing. I've taken the pump apart twice and see no clogging and it's roughly in 7-8 inches of water. Any ideas what else to look for?

03/09/2018, 06:24 PM	#2
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	What size tank is it on? The omega skimmers can be finicky when they are overrated for the tank. Unlike most skimmers who overate tank size for skimmers, vertex actually underates theirs imo. Water depth also makes a big difference on these skimmers. I know my 130 has to be in 6.5” to a maximum of 7” of water. Any more then 7” & it gets finicky Last edited by Lsufan; 03/09/2018 at 09:00 PM.

03/09/2018, 08:16 PM	#3
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	have you checked the airline to make sure it doesnt have salt build up inside or the volute? __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

03/09/2018, 08:17 PM	#4
dkwatts15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 23	I have had the Omega 130 for 4 years and they are finicky. I have mine in 8” of water depth. I find that taking the small air valve that comes with MJ 1200 pumps on putting it on the intake after a pump/ skimmer cleaning helps dial it in. I just place it on the intake open up the stand pipe and adjust both slowly over a few days till it dialed in. I then remove the air valve and put my Co2 scrubber tube on. Skimmer is a beast once dialed in. I attached a pic of the skim mate and I just emptied & cleaned the cup completely Sunday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/09/2018, 09:14 PM	#5
rc1626 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 451	Check your impeller shaft. They are ceramic and often chip at the base where it enters the bushing in the pump. When mine chipped the bubble level in the skimmer dropped significantly which caused no skimmate production. Just a thought. I replaced the stock pump with a Tunze hydrofoamer pump on the 150 and its been rock solid for a little over a year now.