Need help deciding on a skimmer

[Ruth]

I have an ASM G3 and am quite happy with it. I also have an ASM G4 that I am not happy with at all. I think it is underpowered and probably needs some kind of mod to run with a bigger pump. From what I have read the Euroreef is far better constructed than the ASM series so while I believe they will probably skim similar you probably want to be careful not to kick the ASM around too much. I have also read that the Euroreef is a lot more realistic on the size of tank that their skimmers are rated for if even not a little conservative. I have always tried to shoot for a skimmer that is rated for at least twice the size of the tank I am skimming although with Euroreef this may not be necessary. I do not believe you can overskim a tank but that is a subject of some debate.

[andresont]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

Hmmm... sorry to complicate things, but...

I too was looking at ASM, EuroReef, and ETSS as a skimmer upgrade. I went to various stores in Vancouver to check out construction and see them in action if possible. It was at J&L that I got to see Euroreefs, Aqua C's, and then BULLETS... Bullets cost more, but the performance and construction are second to none. My wallet hurt a little at the time, but I sure am glad I went this way, (Bullet 2), on top of that, it runs quiet and you're not limited to running it in your sump.

My vote is here with downdraft also , ER needs constant work, Go to "Coral Ocean" on Kingsway and see for yourself always plugged with salt on the air intake and needs adjustment or to be cleaned .
Re size take a look at New J&L's set up skimmer there, it is about x10 the rated size fo their tank. So Go ahead overskimm ! I do with my ETSs 700 i over drive it with Mag18 (it only needs 700gal/hr pump) And it is skimming even with almost empty tank! (One tomato clown, one clam, few star fish, live sand on 108 Gal Tank). I would not buy EuroReef it just became a hype , the name sounds good thats all.

[vanreefer]

Originally Posted by Abbyreefer

I LOVE my asm G2 skimmer I have a 95 gal tank with a 25 gal sump and if I had to do anything dinnerently I would have gone with the G3 but even that extra 4 inches wouldnt fit or I would have gone that route...

.

somebody was hungry when they posted this...

[mark]

Just got my G3, but haven't hooked it up yet.

Caution about ordering from the States though, I'm looking a $67.45 invoice from Fedex for brokerage. Should have taken James up on his offer.

[Abbyreefer]

I got my ASM from OA (G2) and LOVE IT. It's on my 95 gal tank.. If you have a 140 gal then I think I would go with the G3 as a minimum.
________
Yamaha YA-3

[monza]

I may have a G4X for sale would you be interested?

Dave

[reeferaddict]

It's all about balance...

Certain bioload levels combined with certain filtration components combined with certain lighting will require certain levels of skimming... Personally, I went with the biggest skimmer I could afford after buying 3 pieces of junk... but I guess we all have to learn for ourselves...

Like I said.... the Bullet is easier to adjust, is collection cup compatible, (No more OVERFLOWS - YAY!), and I run mine outside my stand, where it's easy to see, and get at to clean... Whereas before I used to get inefficient, inconsistent skimming, I now get as good as I have seen, anywhere, and it is consistent... my water isa crystal clear, and my calcium uptake DOUBLED after I installed this on my system... what does THAT say about how important good skimming is?

I've heard ASM's are comparable to the Bullet, but EuroReefs are run with riser tubes and are prone to clogging and underperformance if sump levels drop...

[Johnny Reefer]

Greetings all,

I have a few questions for ASM skimmer owners, as I am seriously looking at buying one of these. [A G3 for a 180g system. (Net 205g with the sump)].

- I have read on ASMSkimmer.com some comments about the Sedra 5000 pump being rather noisy. I'm interested in hearing what CanReefers think about this. Would you agree? Is there an alternative, quieter pump that a G3 could be run on?

- What's the purpose of the gate valve mod? Easier adjusting?

- What's the purpose of the recirc mod?

- Are either of these mods really necessary?

- How do you adjust the skimmer without the mod(s)?
(I see in a picture of a G3 what looks like a knob way down where the airline meets the pump. Is this an adjusment knob? If so, that'd be kinda hard to reach!)

- Has anyone modified their collection cup to feed a seperate bucket? Any problems there?

Finally...
- Are you happy with it?

Thanx much and cheers,

PS....Kyle (Renegade)....what did you decide to go with?

[Johnny Reefer]

Three more questions....

Is there no flow adjustment without the gate valve mod? (I see nothing in the picture that resembles a flow adjustment).

Where does the water return into the sump from?

Where exactly is the needle wheel? In the pump?

Thanx much and cheers,

[crusty1]

I have a G3 running on 180G DT 70g sump and 33g fuge here are my thoughts

- I have read on ASMSkimmer.com some comments about the Sedra 5000 pump being rather noisy. I'm interested in hearing what CanReefers think about this. Would you agree? Is there an alternative, quieter pump that a G3 could be run on?
The pump is under water I don't think its any noisier than any other pump, however I keep the skimmer in a fish room in the basement.

- Are either of these mods really necessary?
I have considered the mods but I doubted for the cost vs. amount of difference it makes would be small.

- How do you adjust the skimmer without the mod(s)?
There is no airline adjustment. To change the consistancy of skimmate, you just raise and lower the sliding discharge tube.

- Has anyone modified their collection cup to feed a seperate bucket? Any problems there?
I was thinking about this. What I thought was that it would be a pain disconnecting the feed line from the cup to a bucket when you wanted to clean. Probably prone to clogging as well.

- Are you happy with it?
Definetely, I probably have to consider upgrading soon, but overall its been great.

-Where does the water return into the sump from?
The gate valve is replacing a sliding tube and foam, which controls the level inside the skimmer, and overflows through the tube

-Where exactly is the needle wheel? In the pump?
Yes, the needlewheel replaces the standard impeller

HTH
Chris