Does anyone use a : ASM G-5 Protein Skimmers?

[Pike614]

Has anyone had any experience with this brand of skimmer?
ASM G-5 Protein Skimmer w/ 2xSedra 9000 Pumps

Considering it for a 450 gallon reef tank.
Any feedback would help!
Thanks

[FISHBOY21]

i think the asm skimmer in general are one of the best skimmers out there for the money

[Pike614]

cool, they do seem more affordable but I wasn't sure if that meant they were junk.

[scott11]

they often need modification to operate at their best. I have a G3 with a gate valve, meshmod, and recirculation mod, and it performs much better than it did originally. These are all very easy mods if you are handy at all.

[Rendos]

I like the G-5 I have right out of the box. I have not done any mods to it at all and it skims like nobody's business.

[NanoGurl]

I have the ASM G3 and it's pulling two cups a day of skinmate for me. My nitrates are at 1.

[scott11]

nanogurl- are you skimming wet, or dry? Do you have any mods? I have a 120 and dont pull near that much, and I thought it was working well. Havent tested for nitraes for a while, but sps are looking great and growing well

[corndogg]

I have a G-4x with upgraded Sedra 15000 pump instead off the older 9000 pump. I also did the recirc & gate valve mods. Just recently I also made a bubble diffuser plate and the results are improved.

However, if I could have my $450 (before mods) back, I would not buy the ASM again. Especially with some of the other skimmers available these days. I purchased mine back in 2005 when there weren't nearly as many choices in that price range. Before that, I had a EuroReef and must say that the build quality is lower than the ER. It performs pretty well for the money but the Sedra pumps aren't exactly energy efficient or quiet.

Be sure to take your time and get many opinions. I am considering going upgrading skimmers and am looking at the Reeflo 200/250, DAS EX-3, Deltec, msx300 and maybe even the Bubble King. There are many great skimmers and although the ASM is decent for the money, I just think you can get more for it.

[corndogg]

What is your budget? I personally feel a skimmer is one of the most important components of a system. Why not buy the best you can so you don't spend even more by buying one twice.

[sassafrass]

buying a deltec or bubble king is kind of like saying I would rather have a Ferarri than a Ford
Lee

[Longchamp]

I dont think a G5 can handle a 450g tank. not stock, anyway.

[06busa]

I just got mine hooked up a couple of days ago and so far am happy with how it works. At the time I couldn't pass it up for $300 with a gate valve mod.

[xtrstangx]

I used a gate valve'd recirc'd G-4X on my 180g.. Granted I'm very overstocked, but my skimmer handles my system perfectly.

Is it a 450g display or 450g system? I don't think a G5 could handle a 450g display...

[corndogg]

Originally posted by sassafrass
buying a deltec or bubble king is kind of like saying I would rather have a Ferarri than a Ford
Lee

Not quite, but I agree that they're not in the same league. But that was exactly my point. Save for a little bit and get something you won't need to upgrade later. Plus, I also mentioned much lower priced brands like the MSX just because of this. I also asked about budget if you noticed in the next post.

Originally posted by corndogg
What is your budget? I personally feel a skimmer is one of the most important components of a system. Why not buy the best you can so you don't spend even more by buying one twice.

My guess is that he's considering an ASM because of their inflated tank rating. They claim a G5 can service a 700 gallon tank and we know that this isn't true.

[NanoGurl]

Originally posted by scott11
nanogurl- are you skimming wet, or dry? Do you have any mods? I have a 120 and dont pull near that much, and I thought it was working well. Havent tested for nitraes for a while, but sps are looking great and growing well

Wet... at least a lot more wet then I used to. I didn't do any mods to it.. I don't feel comfortable trying that. I don't have anything to compare my G3 too.. I'm sure other brands are better.. but mine is also a few years old now, and at the time I bought it it was about half of what others were going for so we tried it.

[NanoGurl]

Originally posted by corndogg
My guess is that he's considering an ASM because of their inflated tank rating. They claim a G5 can service a 700 gallon tank and we know that this isn't true.

I think that's a good point. When we bought the G3 we got it for a 75g. We are now using it on our 120 since we already had it.. and it's working well... but using it on our 240g upgrade would probably not be sufficient.

[wrott]

What do you all think about the ATI Bubble Master?
For the price, and it's rating. (sorry for the highjack)
for a 180g tank-medium stock SPS
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=ATIskim

[Pike614]

It is a 450 display, 600g total volume. Budget wise, I'd like to get a decent skimmer. I don't need the best of the best, just something that will do a nice job for the cost. I was also considering a Deltec AP902. SIgnificantly more expensive, and I assume a much better skimmer. But is it really worth the price difference???
I guess I could mess with modding the skimmer, but like corndog says, if I am gonna need to mod it...spend the money on the skimmer in the first place. If I did go with an ASM, what size would you think I need? They rate to 700g for the G5....how far off are they?

[corndogg]

Originally posted by wrott
What do you all think about the ATI Bubble Master?
For the price, and it's rating. (sorry for the highjack)
for a 180g tank-medium stock SPS
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=ATIskim

I considered one of those when they first came out. I believe that they pioneered the meshwheel. I heard that they are a pain to dial in but once you get it there, they work great. The reason I held off is because they were really hyped up and everyone was waiting in anticipation. Then suddenly a few months later everyone was selling and upgrading again. I didn't follow the threads closely so I don't know why. I just found it odd.

[corndogg]

Originally posted by Pike614
They rate to 700g for the G5....how far off are they?

It appears that they are about double on what they should with the larger sized skimmers. If you compared skimmer body diameter/height, and air throughput to some other brands with similar specs you'll see that they're pretty exaggerated.

The reason I suggest a different brand is because of the newer technology with skimmers. With the increase in air we can get now, you need wider necks to get optimal performance. If you compare an older Euroreef, they had 12 inch bodies and only four inch necks. These days if you look at the best skimmers, the neck isn't much smaller than the body. And the copycat brand skimmers have followed suit because it is proven more effective. This is why the Deltecs and Bubble Kings are much shorter in height yet they still have very impressive tank ratings.

For a tank of your size I think a Bubble King is pretty much out of the question at just over $2k. But with the economy there are people getting out and you can get a used high end skimmer with substantial savings.

I am not saying that you won't get decent performance out of the ASM. I'm just saying that it left me desiring more even after all the mods.

[corndogg]

What about the Reeflo Orca 250?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=reefflo

[Pike614]

The reeflo looks nice, I wonder how it'd compare to this Deltec AP902
http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/ap902.php

Any thoughts?

[corndogg]

The deltec has been a proven performer for a good while. The price is about $600 more if that matters.

I think either will be a great choice. Do the dimensions matter at all?

[sjm817]

ASM were the bang for the buck skimmer a few years ago, but there is no reason to get one any longer. The materials and build quality and well as the pumps are not very good.

A 450G /600G system is pretty big. You need a good skimmer. Yes, the AP902 is a very nice skimmer. In that high end range, you can also check out the Bubble King Super Marine 250, Deluxe 250 and Deluxe 300. The ATB Medium, or Large cone skimmers. The Reeflo 250 is also a very good skimmer. Lots of choices.

For the bang for the buck, the MSX250 or MSX300 are pretty hard to beat.

[Pike614]

Space is no issue, I have a dedicated sump room behind the tank as this will be an in-wall set-up. I'll look more into the MSX250 and 300 also. Thanks!