Question about ASM skimmer depth.

Kissfan79 · 12/18/2008, 08:49 AM

Hey guys...
The ASM G3 I have running on our 180 is sitting in the sump with a water depth of about 13". If I were to put a platform in there and raise the skimmer up so it is in about 8-9" of water.....how much (if any) do you think it would increase it's performance? Any downsides to raising the skimmer up off the bottom of the sump about 4-5"?

Thanks,

Jim

robertifly · 12/18/2008, 10:16 AM

I have played with mine at different depths using 4" pvc for stand and egg grate to make a platform. right now it is at 7" and works pretty good. Also using a gate mod. my biggest problem I've had at any water level is getting the gunk to all go into the cup. 90% of my solids stick to the sides of the throat and never go over into the cup. Any suggestions or is that normal

TChristman · 12/18/2008, 10:26 AM

I have the same thing with the waste sticking to the the throat and have found if I run the bubbles a little higher in the throat that it helps some. I run the bubbles up to about 80% of the throat in the cup and it seems to help. Just have to change the collection cup more often and the waste is not quite as thick.

Kissfan79 · 12/18/2008, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the replies. I too get the same thick build up in the center neck of the collection cup. Anyone else have any opinions if I would experience an increase in performance if I raised the skimmer so the water level was at 8" or so?

Jim

Dejavu · 12/19/2008, 03:06 AM

8" has worked well for me.

robertifly · 12/19/2008, 05:23 AM

^

reefer31 · 12/19/2008, 11:10 AM

I have a g1 that has the same problem of the gunk getting stuck to the skimmer neck instead of going over the top. I have put the water level about 1" to 1.5" from the top and that seems to help with the bubbles overflowing into the cup. I get alot more watery skimmate this way but it still smells pretty bad!

. I think that the ASM series is not the best skimmer and you just have to fiddle with it till you get it where it can actually skim something out of the tank. On my maintenance accounts some tanks with the smaller octo skimmers seem to pull more out of the tanks than my asm g1 lol. But, i guess if the crap is sticking to the side of the cup its still taking it out of the system.

azcraig · 12/19/2008, 06:34 PM

My G-4 works great. It's in 12" of water in my sump and skims like crazy.

iamwrasseman · 12/19/2008, 07:32 PM

i have a G 1 xl and a G 2 asm and both work awesome .yup the gunk on the neck is always there . higher the bubbles and it gets weak so i just clean it every other day and its fine .

12/18/2008, 08:49 AM	#1
Kissfan79 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 558	Question about ASM skimmer depth. Hey guys... The ASM G3 I have running on our 180 is sitting in the sump with a water depth of about 13". If I were to put a platform in there and raise the skimmer up so it is in about 8-9" of water.....how much (if any) do you think it would increase it's performance? Any downsides to raising the skimmer up off the bottom of the sump about 4-5"? Thanks, Jim

12/18/2008, 10:16 AM	#2
robertifly Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milan, Tn Posts: 867	I have played with mine at different depths using 4" pvc for stand and egg grate to make a platform. right now it is at 7" and works pretty good. Also using a gate mod. my biggest problem I've had at any water level is getting the gunk to all go into the cup. 90% of my solids stick to the sides of the throat and never go over into the cup. Any suggestions or is that normal __________________ reefracer Current Tank Info: none

12/19/2008, 03:06 AM	#5
Dejavu ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,423	8" has worked well for me. __________________ Brian June 2013 TOTM Current Tank Info: 270 Starphire by Miracles in GlassBK 250 InternalSequence Blackfin 1800(2) 6105 Tunzes Streams(3) 400 watt Blueline E-Ballast400w 20k Radiums(3) Lumanarc IIIGEO 624 Ca ReactorTunze OsmolotorPM SR45 and TLF PhosBan Reactor 150Apex

12/19/2008, 05:23 AM	#6
robertifly Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milan, Tn Posts: 867	^ __________________ reefracer Current Tank Info: none

12/19/2008, 06:34 PM	#8
azcraig Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 136	My G-4 works great. It's in 12" of water in my sump and skims like crazy. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of fear. Current Tank Info: 200 gal reef w/60 gal sump, 55 gal reef

12/18/2008, 10:26 AM	#3
TChristman Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 454	I have the same thing with the waste sticking to the the throat and have found if I run the bubbles a little higher in the throat that it helps some. I run the bubbles up to about 80% of the throat in the cup and it seems to help. Just have to change the collection cup more often and the waste is not quite as thick.

12/18/2008, 06:25 PM	#4
Kissfan79 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 558	Thanks for the replies. I too get the same thick build up in the center neck of the collection cup. Anyone else have any opinions if I would experience an increase in performance if I raised the skimmer so the water level was at 8" or so? Jim

12/19/2008, 11:10 AM	#7
reefer31 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 561	I have a g1 that has the same problem of the gunk getting stuck to the skimmer neck instead of going over the top. I have put the water level about 1" to 1.5" from the top and that seems to help with the bubbles overflowing into the cup. I get alot more watery skimmate this way but it still smells pretty bad! . I think that the ASM series is not the best skimmer and you just have to fiddle with it till you get it where it can actually skim something out of the tank. On my maintenance accounts some tanks with the smaller octo skimmers seem to pull more out of the tanks than my asm g1 lol. But, i guess if the crap is sticking to the side of the cup its still taking it out of the system.

12/19/2008, 07:32 PM	#9
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	i have a G 1 xl and a G 2 asm and both work awesome .yup the gunk on the neck is always there . higher the bubbles and it gets weak so i just clean it every other day and its fine . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?