Need help deciding on a skimmer

[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

[Myanth]

I got an AquaC Remora for christmas. Skims tons and the water looks great. Aquarium Illusions told my wife that it was the best for my 90 gal with 33 gal undersump but I don't know much about skimmers.

Any opinions on this one?

Also prices?
She paid like $375 with the pump. Seemed high to me.

Mike

[richtg]

I bought my ASM G3 a year and a half ago and love it. The only mod I did was to weld a nipple into the bottom of the collection cup, down to a sealed container, and a vent line running up over the sump. I just set it and forget it. It effortlessly skims my 120 gallons of water (medium bioload).

I think aquaria.ca has a decent deal on them if you want to check out some pics, etc. It is a breeze to clean, and if you don't wear iron gloves, don't worry about the lighter construction. Best bang for your buck, IMO.

P.S. I put a 10" baffle in the first stage of my sump and set it in there. The water level it sits in never fluctuates, and so I didn't have to modify the outlet as other people have. I have not found the pump to be too noisy either. I can't hear it over everything else running, anyways.

Good luck in your search.

Rich.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by richtg

.....The only mod I did was to weld a nipple into the bottom of the collection cup, down to a sealed container, and a vent line running up over the sump. .....

I think aquaria.ca has a decent deal on them if you want to check out some pics, etc. .....

P.S. I put a 10" baffle in the first stage of my sump and set it in there. The water level it sits in never fluctuates, and so I didn't have to modify the outlet as other people have. .....

What's the vent line for?

aquaria.ca wouldn't open up. I don't think there is such a site.

The water depth in my sump is 12.5" , although that could be lowered by way of changing the position of the float on the top off float valve, so.....what is this mod you speak of? A water level of higher than 10" requires some sort of modification? Lower than 10"?

Please explain and thanx much,