Adjusting Vertex Omega 150 skimmer

[Tonii]

Good evening,

I recently went from an all in one tank to a tank with a sump. I’ve had this skimmer running for a couple of weeks now. Does it seem like it’s running how it’s supposed to or should I make some adjustments? This is my first time using a skimmer like this one. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tbyram]

Looks like you need to adjust the pipe to limit the water flow out. When first installed it says to open it wide open but once broken in you can slowly close it some until the water level rises. This is of course assuming you have it at a good water level to begin with. I run mine at about 7.5" and then adjust the water flow pipe to where the bubbles show right around the bottom of the cup base .

Here are a few pics of mine. The pipe I'm talking about is the one on left side and note my water is just above the outlet (8" deep in sump but propped up on small stand to get at 7.0-7.5". Also note the bubbles are just around bottom of cup in main tube or a little higher.

 

[Tonii]

Looks like you need to adjust the pipe to limit the water flow out. When first installed it says to open it wide open but once broken in you can slowly close it some until the water level rises. This is of course assuming you have it at a good water level to begin with. I run mine at about 7.5" and then adjust the water flow pipe to where the bubbles show right around the bottom of the cup base .

Here are a few pics of mine. The pipe I'm talking about is the one on left side and note my water is just above the outlet (8" deep in sump but propped up on small stand to get at 7.0-7.5". Also note the bubbles are just around bottom of cup in main tube or a little higher.

Ok I’ll try closing the pipe more. My water level is at 8” and the pipe at the moment is a little over half way closed.

 

[Tbyram]

Just move it a little at a time and give it about 10 min or so at least between tweaks. It sometimes takes a bit for it to settle out. Too much will make it overflow.

 

[Tonii]

Ok will do. Thank you

 

[miPapareef]

I think your adjustment is pretty close. Small adjustments and I’d run it a full day because feeding and other factors will cause periods of time where it will skim more.

Just for reference I have the water level about even with where the red tube enters the white tube. And the foam height is set just into the straight part of the neck.

 

[Tonii]

Did I closed it too much?

 

[Turbonut]

So with mine I have my water height @ about 8.5 inches. Now when I first got this thing it was a pain in the butt to dial in I could only get light tea colored skimmate and on occasion it would overflow which seems to be the normal on this skimmer from what I’ve read however I did one mod to mine that made a heck of a difference , all I did was add a 3/8 valve to the end of my air line to limit the air coming into skimmer and let me tell you it’s like a whole different skimmer. Now I can pull as dry as foam as I want , doesn’t overflow or anything. Also just my .02 the adjustable volute doesn’t do a darn thing imho.

 

[Tonii]

So with mine I have my water height @ about 8.5 inches. Now when I first got this thing it was a pain in the butt to dial in I could only get light tea colored skimmate and on occasion it would overflow which seems to be the normal on this skimmer from what I’ve read however I did one mod to mine that made a heck of a difference , all I did was add a 3/8 valve to the end of my air line to limit the air coming into skimmer and let me tell you it’s like a whole different skimmer. Now I can pull as dry as foam as I want , doesn’t overflow or anything. Also just my .02 the adjustable volute doesn’t do a darn thing imho.

Do you have the link of the valve you used?

 

[Turbonut]

Do you have the link of the valve you used?

It’s just a guest fitting 3/8 valve from Home Depot or Lowe’s. Nothing fancy

 

[Tonii]

So with mine I have my water height @ about 8.5 inches. Now when I first got this thing it was a pain in the butt to dial in I could only get light tea colored skimmate and on occasion it would overflow which seems to be the normal on this skimmer from what I’ve read however I did one mod to mine that made a heck of a difference , all I did was add a 3/8 valve to the end of my air line to limit the air coming into skimmer and let me tell you it’s like a whole different skimmer. Now I can pull as dry as foam as I want , doesn’t overflow or anything. Also just my .02 the adjustable volute doesn’t do a darn thing imho.

It’s been a while but I finally bought the valve. I just have one question the venturi nozzle do you have it all the way Closed or open?

 

[Turbonut]

It’s been a while but I finally bought the valve. I just have one question the venturi nozzle do you have it all the way Closed or open?

All the way closed

 

[4ddiction]

How far do you close the air intake using the valve? I have the mod done and I’m not sure if I should have the venturi screwed all the way in or screwed out?

 

[Turbonut]

How far do you close the air intake using the valve? I have the mod done and I’m not sure if I should have the venturi screwed all the way in or screwed out?

I have mine about 1/2 closed

 

[4ddiction]

This mod is great, got the thing to produce fine bubbles. How high should I raise the level of those fine bubbles to get that dark skimmate?

 

[Turbonut]

This mod is great, got the thing to produce fine bubbles. How high should I raise the level of those fine bubbles to get that dark skimmate?

How deep is your skimmer sitting? Mines is in 8” and I have wedge pipe closed about a 1/4 which brings the fine bubbles right to the beginning of the cup

 

[4ddiction]

How deep is your skimmer sitting? Mines is in 8” and I have wedge pipe closed about a 1/4 which brings the fine bubbles right to the beginning of the cup

It’s in 8”’of water sitting on a 1” acrylic stand so 7.5” also have the Venturi mainly out and 1/2” air inlet ball valve closed. Got the tiny bubbles right at the bottom of the first lower ring of the collection cup.

 

[Turbonut]

It’s in 8”’of water sitting on a 1” acrylic stand so 7.5” also have the Venturi mainly out and 1/2” air inlet ball valve closed. Got the tiny bubbles right at the bottom of the first lower ring of the collection cup.

Just give it time like a day at a time and adjust to to get the color skimmate your looking for.

 

[4ddiction]

Is this a proper height?

7” depth
Venturi all the way closed
Red pipe a little bit more than half closed
Air mod valve half way closed

 

[Bryson.bobby]