Time for a new skimer?

barclayrl · 06/11/2007, 07:07 AM

Hello all, I have been messing with my ASM G3 lately and not getting much skimmate out of it (i really never did). It sometime takes 2 weeks to fill up the cup or the stupid thing will just overflow itself. I have the gatevalve mod installed and i have read lately there are now much better skimmers than the ASM's. I bought it back when ASM's were the HOT ticket.

I would like to purchase a skimmer that does NOT need mods, dial in nicely and actually works!! I want to stay in the $300-$500 range and must fit in a 55G tank (my sump).

My system is a 90G with a 55 gallon basement sump.

Any thoughts or opinions would be great!!

Thanks for reading!

Ryan

wrassie86 · 06/11/2007, 07:20 AM

Not sure your gonna find much else thats better for the money and size.
How old is the pump and when was the last time you replaced the pin wheel? Also mine has always worked good, but i did the mesh mod on it and what a difference.
If your pump is over a few years old you might think about replacing it.I would get the euro reef sedra for it.that includes there new pin wheel.
And maybe try modding your old pinwheel with mesh and see how you like it before buying a new skimmer.

Kurt03 · 06/11/2007, 08:00 AM

i would mesh mod the asm, and if you dont want to do that maybe a octopus nw200? They work nice without the mods, after the mods they work VERY well

Or if you want to spend the money an euroreef or a h&s i think its called.

barclayrl · 06/11/2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wrassie86
Not sure your gonna find much else thats better for the money and size.
How old is the pump and when was the last time you replaced the pin wheel? Also mine has always worked good, but i did the mesh mod on it and what a difference.
If your pump is over a few years old you might think about replacing it.I would get the euro reef sedra for it.that includes there new pin wheel.
And maybe try modding your old pinwheel with mesh and see how you like it before buying a new skimmer.

The skimmer is almost a year old. I will try the mesh mod, i just found an RC member with some scrap Enkamat and is sending some my way. I hope it will work! I also thought about the re-circ mod as well. but dont know if i want to drill out my skimmer.

Another question i have about my G3 is:

How deep should the pump be? The input of mine is currently only about 4 inches below the water surface. I used to have the input about 8 inches below the surface and it would not skim well at all. any advice on that would be great.

Thanks!

King-Kong · 06/11/2007, 10:15 AM

I did the gatevalve mod on my ASM G-2, and found it made hte skimmer harder to control. I went back to the riser tube, and removed the sponge.

I recently bought a BM250 to replace my G2 (you may want to look into a BM200). In its FIRST 24hrs (not even given a vinegar bath) it skimmed out more, darker skimmate, than my ASM G-2 would skim in 4-5 days.

Aquarist007 · 06/11/2007, 10:33 AM

I have a question related to this-----I recently revamped my sump The flow rate is about 2000gph. The berlin skimmer is only 600gph. Can you get a new pump for the skimmer or should the whole thing be replaced?

wrassie86 · 06/11/2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by barclayrl
The skimmer is almost a year old. I will try the mesh mod, i just found an RC member with some scrap Enkamat and is sending some my way. I hope it will work! I also thought about the re-circ mod as well. but dont know if i want to drill out my skimmer.

Another question i have about my G3 is:

How deep should the pump be? The input of mine is currently only about 4 inches below the water surface. I used to have the input about 8 inches below the surface and it would not skim well at all. any advice on that would be great.

Thanks!

4 inches should be good and better than 8. also getting the input as close to the dirty water source is best with out the skimmer taking in a ton of micro bubbles.
For the enka matt use 3 layers and remove almost all pins.i left 4 on to help secure the matt. also give the skimmer a few days before judging.if done right you should see a difference right away.but it takes a few days to smooth out.

wrassie86 · 06/11/2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by King-Kong
I did the gatevalve mod on my ASM G-2, and found it made hte skimmer harder to control. I went back to the riser tube, and removed the sponge.

I recently bought a BM250 to replace my G2 (you may want to look into a BM200). In its FIRST 24hrs (not even given a vinegar bath) it skimmed out more, darker skimmate, than my ASM G-2 would skim in 4-5 days.

I've found the same thing using the gate valve.Mine is sort of a combo but still i control it by raising the tube.

RichConley · 06/11/2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by King-Kong
I did the gatevalve mod on my ASM G-2, and found it made hte skimmer harder to control. I went back to the riser tube, and removed the sponge.

I agree. Gate valves make skimmers much less stable.

pad · 06/11/2007, 02:04 PM

The first time I setup my gate valve on my G3 I had just put it all together and hoped for the best. I had difficulty controlling it and could not understand. Then I found in the ASM owners thread that some people were changing the fittings and gate valve around which would alter performance. I changed mine and presto it worked perfectly.

I would suggest looking through that thread and find what works and fits for you. I even cut my sump up a little to fit my mods.

My setup is slide pipe replacement first, then a "tee" with a gate valve running horizontal from the "tee" elbow after the GV and downpipe to slightly above water line. THe other output of the "tee" is a standpipe capped with a hole drilled into it for venting.
All this in the sump with ATO at about 8.5".

This is what worked for me. since then I did the mesh mod on one of mine and I do like it but I was sloppy and need to redo it.

06/11/2007, 07:07 AM	#1
barclayrl Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chambersburg, PA Posts: 332	Time for a new skimer? Hello all, I have been messing with my ASM G3 lately and not getting much skimmate out of it (i really never did). It sometime takes 2 weeks to fill up the cup or the stupid thing will just overflow itself. I have the gatevalve mod installed and i have read lately there are now much better skimmers than the ASM's. I bought it back when ASM's were the HOT ticket. I would like to purchase a skimmer that does NOT need mods, dial in nicely and actually works!! I want to stay in the $300-$500 range and must fit in a 55G tank (my sump). My system is a 90G with a 55 gallon basement sump. Any thoughts or opinions would be great!! Thanks for reading! Ryan

06/11/2007, 07:20 AM	#2
wrassie86 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Thonotosassa,FL Posts: 1,836	Not sure your gonna find much else thats better for the money and size. How old is the pump and when was the last time you replaced the pin wheel? Also mine has always worked good, but i did the mesh mod on it and what a difference. If your pump is over a few years old you might think about replacing it.I would get the euro reef sedra for it.that includes there new pin wheel. And maybe try modding your old pinwheel with mesh and see how you like it before buying a new skimmer. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: None, On a baby and moving break.

06/11/2007, 10:33 AM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I have a question related to this-----I recently revamped my sump The flow rate is about 2000gph. The berlin skimmer is only 600gph. Can you get a new pump for the skimmer or should the whole thing be replaced? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

06/11/2007, 02:04 PM	#10
pad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 523	The first time I setup my gate valve on my G3 I had just put it all together and hoped for the best. I had difficulty controlling it and could not understand. Then I found in the ASM owners thread that some people were changing the fittings and gate valve around which would alter performance. I changed mine and presto it worked perfectly. I would suggest looking through that thread and find what works and fits for you. I even cut my sump up a little to fit my mods. My setup is slide pipe replacement first, then a "tee" with a gate valve running horizontal from the "tee" elbow after the GV and downpipe to slightly above water line. THe other output of the "tee" is a standpipe capped with a hole drilled into it for venting. All this in the sump with ATO at about 8.5". This is what worked for me. since then I did the mesh mod on one of mine and I do like it but I was sloppy and need to redo it. __________________ I want a sleazy button. Current Tank Info: 150 mixed, 2x ASMG3, OM Squirt, 2x 250 wt MH, 4x 96 wt PC

06/11/2007, 08:00 AM	#3
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	i would mesh mod the asm, and if you dont want to do that maybe a octopus nw200? They work nice without the mods, after the mods they work VERY well Or if you want to spend the money an euroreef or a h&s i think its called.

06/11/2007, 10:15 AM	#5
King-Kong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 2,346	I did the gatevalve mod on my ASM G-2, and found it made hte skimmer harder to control. I went back to the riser tube, and removed the sponge. I recently bought a BM250 to replace my G2 (you may want to look into a BM200). In its FIRST 24hrs (not even given a vinegar bath) it skimmed out more, darker skimmate, than my ASM G-2 would skim in 4-5 days.