Vertex omega 130 won't stop overflowing

blkhawk10 · Nov 20, 2015

I've had this skimmer up and running I'm my tank for 2 weeks now and I can't seem to get it to skim correctly...I followed the directions for breaking in the skimmer to no avail...any advice would be much appreciated, this is very frustrating!

redfishbluefish · Nov 20, 2015

I don't know that skimmer specifically but maybe [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] can be more helpful.

My suggestions are to make sure it is in the right depth of water. Once you have it in the right depth, open the volute valve all the way. I believe on that skimmer it's a red pipe....open the valve on the top all the way. Now with very small turns, start to close this valve until you are getting the foam up the body of the skimmer.

kschweer · Nov 20, 2015

I agree with everything above. That skimmer is set to run in between 6.5"-9" of water. I would stay closer to the lower end of possible.

Akida17th · Nov 20, 2015

I have a Omega 150 and I run my in 7" of water which is easier to tune. How deep are you running the skimmer?

Jimbo662 · Nov 20, 2015

I had the 130 on my last tank and had it in 7".

Akida17th · Nov 20, 2015

These vertex skimmer are very touchy and sensitive, once tuned in they skim awesome but it can be tough to get it tuned in.

kevantheman35 · Nov 20, 2015

I have the 130 running amazing. You have to run it at a shallower depth than they recommend. I have mine so that the output pipe is about half underwater

scardall · Nov 20, 2015

I had the same issues on my vertex 150. Do not turn your return pump off. Check to see if your venture tube that the hose is connected to is not clogged.

Ditto on what the others here are saying as well.

blkhawk10 · Nov 20, 2015

I'm had been running the skimmer at 7.5" of water...I just adjusted it to about 7" so hopefully that'll do the trick.

Jimbo662 · Nov 20, 2015

Also, make sure your stand pipe isn't open too much.

blkhawk10 · Nov 20, 2015

So 7" seems to be doing the trick...I'm gonna have to learn how to find tune it for that dark skimmate and I'm on my way...thanks a bunch for the help!

kevantheman35 · Nov 26, 2015

Glad to hear it. I had trouble getting mine dialed in as well when I started. Once I switched to a shallower depth than Vortex suggests everything seemed to come together. This is also one of those skimmers you must keep very clean to run properly. I clean my collection cup every 2 days or so. Goodluck

benapilot · Aug 15, 2016

Time to bring this thread back....

I think my Omega 130 is finally broken in. I had to lift it up a few inches so the water level was at the top of the outlet pipe, otherwise it overflowed like crazy. A couple days ago the bubble level went down and now I'm fine tuning the water height and pipe position.

The bubble level is below the collection cup and the neck is starting to collect gunk. If I clean that with, say, a wet paper towel, will that wipe away any slime that built up during the break in period? Or should I just leave it?

Here's a picture.