Do I really,really, need another skimmer?

plancton · 10/16/2009, 12:50 PM

3 years ago, ASM skimmers were perceived as some of the best skimmers in the market.
I bought an ASM G3 for my 170 gal system, the ASM G3 is still rated for up to 250 gals. So it seemed more than enough for a 170 gal system, I for some years had a moderate bioload and the skimmer kept getting all that gunk out and after 2 months of no water changes, my Nitrates were below 2 ppm.

I now have a 220 gal system, the ASM G3 is still pulling so much gunk out, I haven´t tested nitrates yet, but I bet they´re still to low after a month. Notice that in theory the ASM G3 is rated for up to 250 gal, so in theory I should be 30 gal under the limit.

But now, there´s a new generation of skimmers out, such as the vertex skimmers. And now the ASM skimmers are perceived as "inferior", and what was believed of them 3 years ago to be "for that many galons" is now believed to be less, and the vertex to be more "realistic" in that sense.

So for exacmple, if the ASM G3 is rated for 250 gals, and there´s a vertex also rated for up to 250 gals, is there so much difference between these two?.

Do I really need to upgrade to a vertex rated for 250 gals?, or I would need to go even with the biggest vertex?, actually the biggest vertex which is for more than 300 gals would barely fit in my sump.

patsfan1130 · 10/16/2009, 01:13 PM

Heck no. My OLD Euroreef still performs like a champ. Sounds like it's doing a fantastic job for you. why change?

Tyler Durden · 10/16/2009, 01:28 PM

You'd be suprised at what an ASM will miss. Once you upgrade you'll understand what all the hype is about.

A sea K · 10/16/2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

You'd be suprised at what an ASM will miss. Once you upgrade you'll understand what all the hype is about.

Tyler, I sure hope your right!
I started with a ASM G-4+, tried a MSX 200 (not big enough for my tank), and moved up to a ER 8-3, felt the need to improve it more so I modded it to a recirc using a b**tard pump from another manufacture (love the little pump BTW) and still feeling room for improvement just recieved (about an hour ago) my MSX cone skimmer.

To the OP, I completely agree with patsfan, If your enjoying good results with your skimmers performance and am satisfied with how your tank is doing I see no reason to mess with a good thing.

Jgoal55 · 10/16/2009, 01:49 PM

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

it looks/sounds like you skimmer is doing just fine. Sure, you can spend more money and get a new/better skimmer that perhaps will perform better but like anything, is it necessary.

The TV you bought 3yrs ago is old now too but it works just fine. If your corals look good and your happy with your water quality, then I say leave it be. Unless you just feel like splurging...haha.

tufacody · 10/16/2009, 02:17 PM

I agree if all is as you want it, why change? With that said, you couldn't give me an ASM.

mcoomer · 10/16/2009, 02:51 PM

I put a G4 in the sump of my 125 and couldn't be happier. I was a little perturbed when I did it though because the same LFS that sold me my old ETSS downdraft skimmer years ago, and raved about it, told me that I should upgrade to the ASM because the ETSS skimmers sucked so bad. I held short of reminding him that he sold it to me, and then bought my new skimmer from someone else.

Getting back on track, if your water parameters are good and your skimmer is working well for you, why change?

Mike

Tyler Durden · 10/16/2009, 02:55 PM

If you aren't gagging every time you clean the collection cup then I'd look into an upgrade. Sure your tank will run on an ASM. But it could run better with a quality skimmer.

I went from an ASM G4+ to a Deltec and now to an ATB cone. With each upgrade I get way more skimmate.

I'm selling an ASM G4+ BTW if anyone's interested lol.

Amoore311 · 10/16/2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tufacody

I agree if all is as you want it, why change? With that said, you couldn't give me an ASM.

+1

No bubble plate, inferior pump, shotty build quality IMO. You will never notice an under performing skimmer, until you upgrade to a better one.

However, if it works.... why bother going with something else?

plancton · 10/16/2009, 03:10 PM

Ok I´m gonna keep testing it to see if its good enough, and the Vertex rated for up to 250 gal would be fine for my 220 gal?.It´s just that the bigger one after that its to big and could barely accomodate it in my sump.

10/16/2009, 12:50 PM	#1
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	Do I really,really, need another skimmer? 3 years ago, ASM skimmers were perceived as some of the best skimmers in the market. I bought an ASM G3 for my 170 gal system, the ASM G3 is still rated for up to 250 gals. So it seemed more than enough for a 170 gal system, I for some years had a moderate bioload and the skimmer kept getting all that gunk out and after 2 months of no water changes, my Nitrates were below 2 ppm. I now have a 220 gal system, the ASM G3 is still pulling so much gunk out, I haven´t tested nitrates yet, but I bet they´re still to low after a month. Notice that in theory the ASM G3 is rated for up to 250 gal, so in theory I should be 30 gal under the limit. But now, there´s a new generation of skimmers out, such as the vertex skimmers. And now the ASM skimmers are perceived as "inferior", and what was believed of them 3 years ago to be "for that many galons" is now believed to be less, and the vertex to be more "realistic" in that sense. So for exacmple, if the ASM G3 is rated for 250 gals, and there´s a vertex also rated for up to 250 gals, is there so much difference between these two?. Do I really need to upgrade to a vertex rated for 250 gals?, or I would need to go even with the biggest vertex?, actually the biggest vertex which is for more than 300 gals would barely fit in my sump. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

10/16/2009, 01:13 PM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	Heck no. My OLD Euroreef still performs like a champ. Sounds like it's doing a fantastic job for you. why change? __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

10/16/2009, 01:49 PM	#5
Jgoal55 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami / Coral Gables Posts: 3,187	If it aint broke, dont fix it. it looks/sounds like you skimmer is doing just fine. Sure, you can spend more money and get a new/better skimmer that perhaps will perform better but like anything, is it necessary. The TV you bought 3yrs ago is old now too but it works just fine. If your corals look good and your happy with your water quality, then I say leave it be. Unless you just feel like splurging...haha. __________________ Jorge S. "I need Reef Addiction Therapy" Current Tank Info: Being set-up. Timeline: One day.

10/16/2009, 02:51 PM	#7
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I put a G4 in the sump of my 125 and couldn't be happier. I was a little perturbed when I did it though because the same LFS that sold me my old ETSS downdraft skimmer years ago, and raved about it, told me that I should upgrade to the ASM because the ETSS skimmers sucked so bad. I held short of reminding him that he sold it to me, and then bought my new skimmer from someone else. Getting back on track, if your water parameters are good and your skimmer is working well for you, why change? Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

10/16/2009, 03:10 PM	#10
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	Ok I´m gonna keep testing it to see if its good enough, and the Vertex rated for up to 250 gal would be fine for my 220 gal?.It´s just that the bigger one after that its to big and could barely accomodate it in my sump. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

10/16/2009, 01:28 PM	#3
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	You'd be suprised at what an ASM will miss. Once you upgrade you'll understand what all the hype is about.

10/16/2009, 02:17 PM	#6
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	I agree if all is as you want it, why change? With that said, you couldn't give me an ASM.

10/16/2009, 02:55 PM	#8
Tyler Durden Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 113	If you aren't gagging every time you clean the collection cup then I'd look into an upgrade. Sure your tank will run on an ASM. But it could run better with a quality skimmer. I went from an ASM G4+ to a Deltec and now to an ATB cone. With each upgrade I get way more skimmate. I'm selling an ASM G4+ BTW if anyone's interested lol.