Maintanace Cost
The PSK1000 pump with its original impeller draws 57 watt, but Vertex reduced it to 28 watt with the needle impeller and mounting it on a mono-pump skimmer. This translates to 245 kwh/year, an estimate of 66 euros if the kwh price remains the same (0.27 euros). It would be an acceptible maintanace cost of 5.5 euros per month.
Faults
The skimmer sadly doesn’t lack of faults. To put it in a different way, there is a small fault mainly caused by what it’s also its best quality: the amount of air drawn into the system.
What we obtain from one side we lose at another, and the 1045 l/h air inflow measured causes the skimmer to greatly depend on the sump water level.
If the water level changes slightly the skimmer will be highly affected.
For this reason Vertex offers a sump with a divider to maintain the water level constant, where the skimmer can be placed.
It is not an insuperable obstacle, but it can discourage those who don’t have a sump divider and/or a good system for replenishing water.
With systems like the osmocontroller Elos Digital Osmo Controller II the water level shouldn’t be a problem, with other float-types systems or with the Hydor smart level control some issues can occur. If sump water is topped up manually, I advised against using this skimmer.
Conclusions
The Vertex Omega 180i is a fantastic skimmer. It is perfectly built, with an incredible air inflow, but also with an extremely aggressive RRP of 564 euros, justified by its technical characteristics and performances, it can be blindly recommended.
During the test it has been constant and efficient, with a very easy calibration system, silent, easy to open and clean, an enormous quantity of air processed (sorry if I keep repeating this concept), with the only fault being the excessive dependence from the sump water level which needs to be always constant.
The manufacture quality and the attention to details are of the highest standards.
We consider the Vertex Omega 180i suitable for tanks with SPS corals and fish of 500/600 liters, while in less populated tanks populated by fish only or soft corals, it could treat up to 1000 l.
Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer
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We thank Vertex for providing us with the test skimmer.
We are available for any further question.
