Question re: Upgrading ASM G4 to G4+

[300Reef]

I have an ASM G4 skimmer in my 300 gal mixed reef (tangs, leathers,

zoas).

In order to get the most out of my skimmer, I thought about replacing

the existing Sedra 5000 with a Sedra 9000 pump (needle wheel).

Do you think this is a good idea?

Is this the only difference between the G4 and G4+ ?

Just wondering, why are they both rated for 350 gal ? Wouldn't a

larger pump(almost double gph), push in more water, create more

bubbles, hence, removing more unwanted junk?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[SL38]

I think the G4x is a bigger skimmer too

[phender]

Many skimmers are rated based on the size of the reaction chamber and not the amount of bubbles etc. Pushing in more air is better, pushing in more water is not always because there isn't as much air/water contact time.

As far as just swapping out the pump to make an upgrade, it not always that easy. The larger pump may have a larger diameter output and the pump is larger/higher which means the input tube on the skimmer may have to be moved higher to keep the skimmer's foot level with the pump. Hope that make sense.

[300Reef]

Thank you for your replies,

I looked at the charts for both, same body size, same everything,

only power head is different.

phender: what you say does make sense, I just don't understand

why ASM would have 2 different models, at a different cost, that

would have the same capacity

[jaypainter24]

go with a warner marine s200 w/o bubble plate or a as200with bubble plate. Both have the Sedra 9000HO on them. I just replaced my g3 with the s200 and no comparing the 2.

[300Reef]

Thanks jaypainter24, But I already have the G4 set up in my tank,

what I am trying to find out is if I would get better results to justify the

cost of replacing the existing Sedra 5000 with the Sedra 9000.

[Mr. Brooks]

G4 plus has the sedra 9000, G4x has the sedra 9000 and is taller. That's it.

[phender]

Originally posted by 300Reef
...... I just don't understand

why ASM would have 2 different models, at a different cost, that

would have the same capacity

The Marine Depot site has the G4 rated for 350 gal, the G4+ is rated for 400 gal, and the G4X is rated for 450 gal.

[stephj03]

If you have the space just add a second pump and run it with two. Use your existing 5000 as a feed pump and a 9000 as a recirc. There is a guy in the FS section selling a few 9000's for 65ea shipped. A short answer to your question is that yes going from the 5000 to the 9000 will boost performance. I haven't tested side by side so I can't say by how much. If you haven't done the recirc/gate valve/mesh mods on your existing setup that is also another option. You could do all three for less than the price of a pump upgrade and you may get enough improvement to forget about upgrading the pump.

[300Reef]

Thank you for the replies.

Would you happen to where I can find instructions for: recirc/gate

valve/mesh mods ?

Thank you in advance.

[stephj03]

Both mods are covered here. His recirc is a little more complicated than most. You could just as easily drill two holes in the skimmer body. One at the height of the inlet and outlet of the pump you wish to recirc and then put the appropriate size uniseal in each. Add a longer piece of pvc to the elbow mounted on the outlet so that the outlet and inlet lines protrude equally from the pump and jam both into the uniseals. Done.
hth
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

[stephj03]

Mesh modding the impeller is even easier than the other mods. Buy a small swatch of enkamat (you can get it on ebay) and some small zipties. Cut out 2-4 squares of the enkamat that just cover the face of the impeller disk and ziptie them to the impeller threading the zipties through the holes in the impeller disk. Cut off excess mesh that overhangs the impeller disk and your done.

[300Reef]

stephj03, I will follow your advice and start with mesh modding the impeller and see how it goes.
I appreciate your effort and detailed explanation of the process.
Thank you