Skimmer Info Please....

Robgixxer · 03/31/2008, 10:41 PM

I have recently started seeting up a 150 gallon aquarium. I have an ADHI 45 Refugium which holds roughly 30 gallons of water. Adhi recommends the ASM G2 skimmer. But i have been reading about people going larger or overdriving them. would really like to get some more input on this. now the water line in the skimmer compartment is 12" high. i was thinking of going with the AquaC 180 it is rated at 200 gal. capacity. i have about 200-225 lbs. of rock in there so i know i'm not at a true 150 gallons. and have a few pieces of rubble in te fuge. currently the tank is not up and running but i do have a closed loop on the fuge at the moment with an inline 8 watt gamma sterilzer. set this up yesterday and got some water in it as to start building some biologicals, until i get my pump and new RO/DI with top off. Also i only have a maximum clearance of 31" in the cabinet for a skimmer but this hinders me with the AquaC because the output of the skimmer is at 9" and says it has to be above the water line in the sump. so i would have to somehow raise the skimmer. and if i went with the 240 model i would not be able to get the cup off the top. so will the 180 be sufficient being overdriven with a mag 9.5 or should i think about looking at another brand or something with a higher volume. oh, and yes the tank will be stocked over time with lots of corals and things.

davocean · 03/31/2008, 11:10 PM

I went w/ the bubblemaster 200 on my 180 and couldn't be happier.
Great for height issues, I'm like 31"h as well.
Gamma sterilizer?

Robgixxer · 03/31/2008, 11:34 PM

Yeah Current (Gamma) UV Sterilizer it was left over from my 55 gal. so i figured i would put it to use.

Robgixxer · 03/31/2008, 11:36 PM

why, this no good?

celano · 04/01/2008, 12:10 AM

UV's are fine to use although its debated whether or not they actually do anything. In the end it comes down to personal preferance....some people like them some people don't.
As far as skimmers go you're right in wanting to go bigger. While the ASM skimmers aren't bad there are definitely some better choices out there for the money. If you're willing to go external the DAS line is a really good bargain. For in sump use Octopus has come out with some really good skimmers for the money as well.

davocean · 04/01/2008, 09:16 AM

I've heard the sterilizer's can actually kill things you want, although I'm no expert on this.
I don't know anyone that uses them myself.
I hadn't heard of the gamma, wanted to make sure what it was b4 mentioning opinion on sterilizer's.

Arthur1 · 04/01/2008, 10:10 AM

The asm g2 would not be able to handle that system. DAS, or an 8'' diameter octo recirc with the mods would be the best ways to go unless you don't mind paying a little more

luke33 · 04/01/2008, 11:01 AM

^^^I'd recomend the dasex2 as well. You can run it in the skimmer compartment or external. Its only going to pull around 20-30watts and will give you good performance. Its a nice set and forget skimmer.

Robgixxer · 04/01/2008, 08:57 PM

cool keep the opinions coming in. would like to get a well rounded bit of info from a few peeps. thanks guys!

Robgixxer · 04/01/2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davocean
I've heard the sterilizer's can actually kill things you want, although I'm no expert on this.
I don't know anyone that uses them myself.
I hadn't heard of the gamma, wanted to make sure what it was b4 mentioning opinion on sterilizer's.

yeah i have heard lot's of different opinions on uv sterilizers myself. but i had it on my 55 gallon tank. and when i had added it i never had an ick problem again! so then i became somewhat partial to using it. and i kept it running 24/7 always had a great success with that tank. so i guess in some parts i might stick with what worked before. but know the playing field has trippled in size and there will be more room for more different things. so i guess we'll see what's in store!

03/31/2008, 10:41 PM	#1
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	Skimmer Info Please.... I have recently started seeting up a 150 gallon aquarium. I have an ADHI 45 Refugium which holds roughly 30 gallons of water. Adhi recommends the ASM G2 skimmer. But i have been reading about people going larger or overdriving them. would really like to get some more input on this. now the water line in the skimmer compartment is 12" high. i was thinking of going with the AquaC 180 it is rated at 200 gal. capacity. i have about 200-225 lbs. of rock in there so i know i'm not at a true 150 gallons. and have a few pieces of rubble in te fuge. currently the tank is not up and running but i do have a closed loop on the fuge at the moment with an inline 8 watt gamma sterilzer. set this up yesterday and got some water in it as to start building some biologicals, until i get my pump and new RO/DI with top off. Also i only have a maximum clearance of 31" in the cabinet for a skimmer but this hinders me with the AquaC because the output of the skimmer is at 9" and says it has to be above the water line in the sump. so i would have to somehow raise the skimmer. and if i went with the 240 model i would not be able to get the cup off the top. so will the 180 be sufficient being overdriven with a mag 9.5 or should i think about looking at another brand or something with a higher volume. oh, and yes the tank will be stocked over time with lots of corals and things.

03/31/2008, 11:10 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I went w/ the bubblemaster 200 on my 180 and couldn't be happier. Great for height issues, I'm like 31"h as well. Gamma sterilizer? __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

04/01/2008, 09:16 AM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I've heard the sterilizer's can actually kill things you want, although I'm no expert on this. I don't know anyone that uses them myself. I hadn't heard of the gamma, wanted to make sure what it was b4 mentioning opinion on sterilizer's. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/31/2008, 11:34 PM	#3
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	Yeah Current (Gamma) UV Sterilizer it was left over from my 55 gal. so i figured i would put it to use.

03/31/2008, 11:36 PM	#4
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	why, this no good?

04/01/2008, 12:10 AM	#5
celano Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 910	UV's are fine to use although its debated whether or not they actually do anything. In the end it comes down to personal preferance....some people like them some people don't. As far as skimmers go you're right in wanting to go bigger. While the ASM skimmers aren't bad there are definitely some better choices out there for the money. If you're willing to go external the DAS line is a really good bargain. For in sump use Octopus has come out with some really good skimmers for the money as well.

04/01/2008, 10:10 AM	#7
Arthur1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 578	The asm g2 would not be able to handle that system. DAS, or an 8'' diameter octo recirc with the mods would be the best ways to go unless you don't mind paying a little more

04/01/2008, 11:01 AM	#8
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	^^^I'd recomend the dasex2 as well. You can run it in the skimmer compartment or external. Its only going to pull around 20-30watts and will give you good performance. Its a nice set and forget skimmer.

04/01/2008, 08:57 PM	#9
Robgixxer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, Fl Posts: 315	cool keep the opinions coming in. would like to get a well rounded bit of info from a few peeps. thanks guys!