ASM G3 Skimmer

cyclejockey · 12/25/2020, 03:53 AM

I inherited a 300 gallon reef tank recently. The tank is well established but has had an almost non-existent bioload for at least a year now. Lots of little clean up crew members, small fish and some coral. Whoever did the initial set up spared no expense on it and it's been set up in a mall for about 6 years. I want to breathe new life into it. The skimmer is an ASM g3 with a Sedra 5000 pump. The impeller needed to be replaced and now I'm ready to set it back up. I can't find any detailed instructions for this unit but I know they were popular in the past. Can someone:
A) explain what the water level and other levels should look like when it's running,
B) explain how to make adjustments to achieve these levels,
C) tell me where the sponge goes and the silicone tube?

Feel free to chime in about good mods. I heard there were a few good ones but I can't find any parts lists or pictures. TIA.

ohioreef · 12/25/2020, 07:05 AM

If the G3 is like the Mini-G, the sponge goes on the output, the silicone tube connects to the Venturi on the intake side of the pump.

You adjust the water level by raising and lowering the output tube.

cyclejockey · 12/27/2020, 12:33 AM

Thank you, sir. I looked for a venturi but didn't see one. I'll search again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohioreef

If the G3 is like the Mini-G, the sponge goes on the output, the silicone tube connects to the Venturi on the intake side of the pump.

You adjust the water level by raising and lowering the output tube.

cyclejockey · 12/27/2020, 12:38 AM

I am indeed missing the venturi. I guess I will order one. So the tube connects to the port at the intake of the pump and the other end just stays above the water level?

ohioreef · 12/27/2020, 07:12 AM

Yes, exactly. The Venturi will fit onto the intake side of the pump and has a small nipple to connect the hose to. The other end just stays above the water.

I have an used G-1 coming, supposedly today according to FedEx. When I get it I’ll take a picture of the Venturi.

ohioreef · 12/27/2020, 01:26 PM

Here is a couple pics of the Venturi, pump and airline.

byee · 12/27/2020, 11:24 PM

I had the ASM G3 and I added the following mods to it

Gate Valve
- use to fine tune overflow from the skimmer instead of adjusting the tube up & down

Mesh Mod for Pump
- remove pin wheel pins
- zap strap mesh
- mesh creates more bubbles to increse skimming

Recirculation Pump
- I remember this mod but never modded my skimmer with it
- I did not want to risk destroying the skimmer by not drilling the holes properly

I think I still have some of the mesh which I can mail to you if you're interested.

I hope the info helps!

ohioreef · 12/28/2020, 06:12 AM

Do you have pics or directions for the gate valve mod? Be interested in that on mine.

GONECOASTAL · 12/30/2020, 07:37 PM

I have and still use this skimmer. The pump went out with one issue to the next. I found a jebao with a needle wheel pump and hook that up and it runs perfect. Plus i can control the water flow and feed mode.

byee · 12/30/2020, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohioreef

Do you have pics or directions for the gate valve mod? Be interested in that on mine.

Gate Valve Mod:

Mesh mod:

The mesh mod helped significantly increasing the bubbles for skimming.

I hope the photos help.

ohioreef · 12/30/2020, 08:49 PM

Thank you!

RobbyG · 12/31/2020, 02:32 AM

That Pinwheel does not look anything like the one in my Sedra 5000.
The mod could still work but how has it been handling clogging issues?
My Pinwheel seems to have a lot more space yet it still gets gunk trapped between the pins.

EBR4 · 01/01/2021, 11:15 AM

Following along, I've been running that exact skimmer for 10+ years. Pretty dead simple, I have the gate valve mod, which works really well to dial in the skimmate.

Anyone have a source for the mesh? I'd like to give a try after all these years! :-)

Thanks.

byee · 01/01/2021, 08:39 PM

Let me see if I still have the mesh.

I can mail to you via mail. Just need to collect on the actual postage costs if you’re interested.

cyclejockey · 01/02/2021, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byee

The mesh mod helped significantly increasing the bubbles for skimming.

I hope the photos help.

The photos were great. Thanks for all the help. I found the venturi and got it making bubbles. I am also missing the inner pipe for adjusting the water level but I'm just going to order the gate valve kit. Where do you feel you get optimal performance in terms of water level adjustment?

byee · 01/03/2021, 01:35 AM

It’s been over 12 years since I sold my 120 gallon setup with the ASM G3. I found this on the forums. Indicates optimum water level is 6-8 inches. Perhaps start it at 7” and go from there.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1624404

You can order a gate valve from Amazon. Tubing can be pickup at your local Home Depot or Lowes store.

Good luck!

12/25/2020, 03:53 AM	#1
cyclejockey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5	ASM G3 Skimmer I inherited a 300 gallon reef tank recently. The tank is well established but has had an almost non-existent bioload for at least a year now. Lots of little clean up crew members, small fish and some coral. Whoever did the initial set up spared no expense on it and it's been set up in a mall for about 6 years. I want to breathe new life into it. The skimmer is an ASM g3 with a Sedra 5000 pump. The impeller needed to be replaced and now I'm ready to set it back up. I can't find any detailed instructions for this unit but I know they were popular in the past. Can someone: A) explain what the water level and other levels should look like when it's running, B) explain how to make adjustments to achieve these levels, C) tell me where the sponge goes and the silicone tube? Feel free to chime in about good mods. I heard there were a few good ones but I can't find any parts lists or pictures. TIA.

12/25/2020, 07:05 AM	#2
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	If the G3 is like the Mini-G, the sponge goes on the output, the silicone tube connects to the Venturi on the intake side of the pump. You adjust the water level by raising and lowering the output tube. __________________ Gary

12/27/2020, 07:12 AM	#5
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	Yes, exactly. The Venturi will fit onto the intake side of the pump and has a small nipple to connect the hose to. The other end just stays above the water. I have an used G-1 coming, supposedly today according to FedEx. When I get it I’ll take a picture of the Venturi. __________________ Gary

12/27/2020, 01:26 PM	#6
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	Here is a couple pics of the Venturi, pump and airline. __________________ Gary

12/28/2020, 06:12 AM	#8
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	Do you have pics or directions for the gate valve mod? Be interested in that on mine. __________________ Gary

12/27/2020, 12:38 AM	#4
cyclejockey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5	I am indeed missing the venturi. I guess I will order one. So the tube connects to the port at the intake of the pump and the other end just stays above the water level?

12/27/2020, 11:24 PM	#7
byee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 115	I had the ASM G3 and I added the following mods to it Gate Valve - use to fine tune overflow from the skimmer instead of adjusting the tube up & down Mesh Mod for Pump - remove pin wheel pins - zap strap mesh - mesh creates more bubbles to increse skimming Recirculation Pump - I remember this mod but never modded my skimmer with it - I did not want to risk destroying the skimmer by not drilling the holes properly I think I still have some of the mesh which I can mail to you if you're interested. I hope the info helps!

12/30/2020, 07:37 PM	#9
GONECOASTAL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CANADA. NOVA SCOTIA Posts: 15	I have and still use this skimmer. The pump went out with one issue to the next. I found a jebao with a needle wheel pump and hook that up and it runs perfect. Plus i can control the water flow and feed mode.

12/30/2020, 08:49 PM	#11
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	Thank you! __________________ Gary

12/31/2020, 02:32 AM	#12
RobbyG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 2,099	That Pinwheel does not look anything like the one in my Sedra 5000. The mod could still work but how has it been handling clogging issues? My Pinwheel seems to have a lot more space yet it still gets gunk trapped between the pins. __________________ The Optimist says the glass is half full, the Pessimist says it’s half empty, an engineer only see's a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be! Current Tank Info: Insanely Automated Low Power Consumption 90 Gal Oceanic Bow System/Aquatronica Touch Controller/AQ Dosing Pump/AQT LEDS/AQ SMS/Seq Dart Pump/ASM G3/Ozotech Ozonizer/Koralin 1502/Chiller/Typhoon3 Ro/S.Squirt /Phos React/Rmt DSB

01/01/2021, 11:15 AM	#13
EBR4 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 12	Following along, I've been running that exact skimmer for 10+ years. Pretty dead simple, I have the gate valve mod, which works really well to dial in the skimmate. Anyone have a source for the mesh? I'd like to give a try after all these years! :-) Thanks.

01/01/2021, 08:39 PM	#14
byee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 115	Let me see if I still have the mesh. I can mail to you via mail. Just need to collect on the actual postage costs if you’re interested.

01/03/2021, 01:35 AM	#16
byee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 115	ASM G3 Skimmer It’s been over 12 years since I sold my 120 gallon setup with the ASM G3. I found this on the forums. Indicates optimum water level is 6-8 inches. Perhaps start it at 7” and go from there. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1624404 You can order a gate valve from Amazon. Tubing can be pickup at your local Home Depot or Lowes store. Good luck! Last edited by byee; 01/03/2021 at 01:41 AM.