The ASM does not have as high a build quality, and they are NOT meant to be run out of a sump, because most do leak some water from various connections and joints. But if run in a sump, this is not a problem.

The makers of the Euro-reef and ASM used to be the same company, the technology is identical, they use the same pumps. The ASMs are cheaper because a different (cheaper) plastic is used. To me it is worth the cost savings because I think the risk of breaking the skimmer is very minimal.

A gate valve mod is an excellent additions to an ASM (I have this on mine), as is a re-circulation mod that improves efficiency of the skimmer. If you have a single pump model, you will need a powerhead and to drill a hole to feed water to the skimmer, but with a multi-pump then you can re-circ quite easily. I have yet to do this on mine, but 2 out of my 3 sedra 9000's will soon be re-circed, with one left to feed water in.

With these VERY CHEAP mods (all it is is PVC parts), an ASM is a fantastic deal, IMO.

Ok question for all you people running needle wheel skimmers, where can I buy a needle wheel pump for a reasonable price?

Steve

Here is a site from the states that sells ASM's http://www.asmskimmer.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23

:lol: No I always like to oogle at monster skimmers.... oh BTW steve that asm site posted earlier sells just the needle wheel pumps if that is what you are looking for.

On the topic of overskimming, I think that we may be getting close with the new larger and more efficient skimmers becoming common. I mean skimmers take out particulates as well as disolved organics. And many of our corals feed in the water column and are not fed directly, so if we take out all particulate matter and free floating microfauna in the tank won't they starve or be undernourished?

I am not taking a side on the overskimming debate but I think there are pros and cons to both sides...

It depends on what your intension is, a large skimmer doesn't remove stuff from the tank instantly. so if you have a 100 gal tank and your sump flow is 10% and you skim from your sump you are probably only realy skimming 10% of your tank per hour at most. so if you like to overfeed like so many of us do the larger the skimmer the better. and if you are growing SPS where you want desolved nutrents at close to 0 to bring out the color more......

I don't think we can get a skimmer that is to big but rather we can spend more on a skimmer than we need to.

Steve

is there any flow ratings on thoes pumps so one can figure out how big of one he needs?

Steve

I believe that in gph it is the first 3 digits of the pump, so a sedra 9000 with no air intake should push 900gph, while the 5000 should push 500.

The word from ASMskimmer.com is that the rumor of ASM being once related to EuroReef is completely false...according to him.

http://www.asmskimmer.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38

[quote]I believe that in gph it is the first 3 digits of the pump, so a sedra 9000 with no air intake should push 900gph[quote]

I would assume that you would also need to replace the needle wheel impeller to get that kind of flow out of it.

Ok so if some one wanted to add a needle wheel to a dual venturi skimmer just to increase foam quality what do you guys think would be good? it is a 8" main tube that is about 32" tall.

Steve