Vertex Omega 150 review

Slick Fork · #1 03-01-2013, 03:53 AM

Hi there,

In case you missed my previous couple of threads I had a blown impeller on my old Vertex In-180. This led me down the road to a new skimmer. Once I discovered the pump was likely damaged and a new impeller was going to be $50 I started looking at replacement pumps. Upon discovering that an upgraded replacement pump could run me $200+ including the impeller I thought of plan B which would be a new skimmer! What clinched the choice for a new skimmer was when my wife said, you've had that one for at least 6 years now... probably time for something new anyways

So, not wanting to go with something made in China ruled out the bubble Magus line for me, bubble kings are WAY out of my price range. I considered the reef octopus, but reviews and brand familiarity brought me back to the Vertex line. So, yesterday morning I placed my order through J&L and accidentally hit submit after deciding that overnight shipping was too expensive. So, bright and early this morning UPS was at my door with a shiny new Omega skimmer for me!

DSC01103.jpg by CDeeth, on Flickr

Now that you've suffered through the back story I'll share my first impressions.
- Packaging could be a lot sturdier. It arrived in perfect condition so maybe I'm just paranoid, but I thought the packaging was pretty skimpy for shipping. The box J&L sent it in was a good size with appropriate air bags. What bugged me the most was the fact that the odds and ends pieces were pretty much loose in their own compartment. They couldn't bump up against the skimmer body but they could definitely roll around on their own a little.

DSC01102.jpg by CDeeth, on Flickr
- It feels like a very solidly built piece of equipment. The materials are heavier and feel like a higher quality manufacture than the in-180

- It's much smaller than I expected it to be, which leads me to be a little concerned that it's too small. That said, the In-180 was almost double the size I really need so maybe this one will be more consistent. Here's a comparison shot between the in-180 and the omega 150

DSC01105.jpg by CDeeth, on Flickr

DSC01108.jpg by CDeeth, on Flickr

- Noise: it's a little noisier than I expected, quieter than the 180 but many reviewers claimed theirs was whisper quiet. Hopefully it'll improve with time as it breaks in!

- My other concern is the size of the collection cup. I really wish it was a lot bigger. It's got the drain in it so I can hook it up to a hose and let it drain into a larger container, but I always worry that in the case of an overflow I'd end up trying to fit most of my tank into a two litre pop bottle.

- It's REALLY pulling in air and water. I just have it cascading over the top with the standpipe closed right now as the manual recommends to help break it in but it looks to me like I've got a much more powerful "current" inside and the bubbles are a LOT finer in the skimmer body.

DSC01109.jpg by CDeeth, on Flickr

I'll update this in a few days with my impressions once it starts skimming! Hopefully it works as good as it looks!

The Grizz · #2 03-01-2013, 03:59 AM

Looks like a quality skimmer, cups are getting smaller it seems but I bet you will notice a big improvement on you water quality, let us know for sure.

Btw just wondering what you are planning for the old skimmer.

Slick Fork · #3 03-01-2013, 04:06 AM

Yeah, seems all of them have smaller cups these days. I guess the good thing is that it'll force me to clean it more regularly.

As for the old skimmer, I think I'll try to figure out what it's worth and put it up for sale. The body is still in perfect condition so if someome wanted to match it with a functional pump they'd be in business pretty quick. That's what I would've done if Heather hadn't given me the green light to cave into my new gadget impulse! I'm still not 100% sure she believes me that choosing the overnight shipping was a mistake!

The Grizz · #4 03-01-2013, 04:08 AM

Let me know on the old one & can't wait to see how the new one works for you.

Whiston · #5 03-03-2013, 02:28 PM

How's the break-in going for you?
Any more details on your impression of it yet? Looks like a great skimmer.

Slick Fork · #6 03-04-2013, 02:41 AM

So far so good, it's become a little more silent over the weekend. After following the break in procedures I put the cup on and started pulling skimmate out Friday night. It'll take some playing around with to get the settings right and I'll need to find a stand for it since it doesn't seem to like how deep my sump is (~10"). Temporarily I put it on a margarine container this morning and it's pulled about half an inch of some pretty nasty looking sludge out already.

Slick Fork · #7 03-06-2013, 01:53 AM

Lowered it by a couple of inches this morning and it seems to be a lot happier! It's now running a lot closer to that 7.5-8" recommended level.

The pump is now very quiet, the sound of the air rushing in is now the loudest part, which surprises me a little because of the silencer.

Chipie · #8 03-18-2013, 06:57 PM

How do you like you Omega now? Still doing good?

Slick Fork · #9 03-19-2013, 04:50 AM

Still really happy with it. The air noise is still a little louder than I'd like, actually a lot louder than I'd like, but the pump is now dead silent. Pulling out lots of really nice, disgusting black gunk.

It also recovers REALLY well from feeding or hands in the tank. Usually a full recovery within an hour or so.

lastlight · #10 03-19-2013, 06:53 AM

I just picked mine up tonight. Can't fire it up until my plumbing is done but had a question. The way mine came the end of the ceramic shaft for the needle wheel doesn't seat in anything. The volute piece is wide open so the end of the shaft is unsupported. Is this how it's supposed to be?