Skimmer Help

dusty16 · #1 10-11-2015, 05:36 AM

I have the Vertex Alpha 250 and I have been having trouble getting it to produce some sludge for me. First time using a skimmer so I tried figuring it out but I cant seem to manage. Water depth it at 9.75 inches so that shouldn't be a problem. I watched some videos and tried to copy the settings in them but it didnt work. Any advice on how much I should open up the air intake thingy and where I should set my water level would be appreciated.

Myka · #2 10-11-2015, 05:00 PM

To start, open up the air all the way, then adjust the water level so it's at the cup bottom (not where it connects to the body, but so you can see the water level when you look into the side of the cup). Let it run like that for a couple days and then adjust from there. What size tank do you have this on?

Skimmer Juice · #3 10-11-2015, 05:50 PM

I run my vertex skimmers at 8 inches of water and they work great

spit.fire · #4 10-11-2015, 05:54 PM

can you post a picture of the skimmer running showing the bubbles its producing in the body

dusty16 · #5 10-12-2015, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

To start, open up the air all the way, then adjust the water level so it's at the cup bottom (not where it connects to the body, but so you can see the water level when you look into the side of the cup). Let it run like that for a couple days and then adjust from there. What size tank do you have this on?

Tank is a 290 gallon with only 3 juvenile fish in it. 2 clowns and a foxface. Not sure if im just lacking stuff to actually skim but I doubt it.

dusty16 · #6 10-12-2015, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spit.fire

can you post a picture of the skimmer running showing the bubbles its producing in the body

WarDog · #7 10-12-2015, 05:27 AM

Based on your small bio load and the pic, I'd say it's working just fine. My omega 150 looks the same, except I have it in 8 inches of water.

Madreefer · #8 10-12-2015, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarDog

Based on your small bio load and the pic, I'd say it's working just fine. My omega 150 looks the same, except I have it in 8 inches of water.

Yup leave it as is, everything looks fine according to your bioload. I run the same skimmer. You'll love it.

dusty16 · #9 10-12-2015, 06:25 AM

So it will just foam up into the collection cup when there is more bioload? Right now it just keeps getting dirty in the neck but nothing comes into the cup

WarDog · #10 10-12-2015, 06:35 AM

Pretty much. Its a sign to add more fish!