suggestions on asm g3 for a 180 gallon tank

[180reeftank.]

i am currently looking to get a ASM g3 for my set up. it will go on a 180 gallon tank that i will be setting up. i am looking at 1200 gph turn over for the tank. with a mag 12 and will run a 55 gallon sump. i plan on havinf a medium to heavy bio load witl corals and fish ( might cut back on the bio load depending on what you guys think.)

i know the skimmer is outdated but it will cost me like 75 bucks. let me know what you guys think?????

[Mark Bianco]

Sorry to say but here is a couple of reviews on the internet about the skimmer in question, Remember they are just other opinions and no mater what you do somepople will never be happy. I have found the hard way (costing me twice of what I would of spent) by trying to find bargins when it comes to skimmers, You get what you pay for. That is not saying you need a Buble King, but what I am saying is find a mid priced skimmer that has good reviews. Think of it this way what do you think you will have in corals, fish, lights and other equiptment. Is it worth it to take your chances on a what might be a very lowend skimmer. I will say any skimer ris better then none.


ASM skimmer not too great

Written: Mar 22 '08
Pros:The collection cup can hold a lot.
Cons:The pump that powers this skimmer is awful!
The Bottom Line: I would not recommend this skimmer. I spent more time trying to get it to work than it spent skimming!

I would like to start by saying that I think ASM, the company that makes this skimmer is an honest company. However, I don't believe that this protein skimmer is a very good product.
I bought this protein skimmer about a year ago. It did not come with any directions about how to adjust it to get the best skimmate. I had to go on line and read about this protein skimmer in different fish forums to figure out how to adjust it. It turns out that it is very simple to adjust, however I think that there should have been at least one page of instructions, with a picture, of how you move the tube to adjust the water level in this protein skimmer.
I had this protein skimmer for about two months when it stopped skimming. The pump had burned out after only 2 months!!! I was very disappointed. I called the company I had bought it from, they sent me a replacement skimmer, and I sent the broken one back.
The second protein skimmer broke after only a week!!! The pump would turn itself on and off, and it also ARCed (sparked) when I plugged it into the outlet! I immediately called the company again, and this time requested a credit to buy a different skimmer!

Recommended: No

[RotaryGeek]

I had almost the exact set up. 180 tank with mag 12 return pump and a G3 skimmer. But my skimmer has a gate valve and a sedra 9000 pump on it. It's a good skimmer, but make 100% sure the water level in the skimmer stays perfectly level otherwise it's probe to overflowing. And it doesn't work too well without a bioload to match. Like the neck is too wide to allow for a good foam head to build up with a light bioload. But all in all I like it and would recommend it.

[iLLwiLL]

there definitely a good cheap skimmer. I had one for a while on my 180 till I found a great deal on a big super reef octopus cone. $75 is a great price for a g3, I would do the gate valve mod, and mesh the needle wheel to really make it perform.

~Will.

[sirreal63]

Internet reviews from websites are not a good thing to rely on, you never know if the person is clueless or not and I have owned my G3 since 2005 IIRC. They do not have a superior build, in fact the skimmer is not built to be sturdy and indestructible. They tend to leak and are flimsy. Having said that, they perform very well. The Sedra 5000 on them is a near perfect match for the volume of the body. I am still using my original Sedra and have replaced the impeller once. There is no need to mesh it and unless you have experience with doing that, I would not. No need in it. For the price I would do it. Mine is recirculating and has the gate valve so it will perform differently than one that is stock.

Recently there a thread asking people to show their sumps, it looked like at least half of the sumps had ASM skimmers on them. They are a no frills skimmer that does work. The NOV 2011 TOTM is running them, and that system of multiple tanks is beautiful. Be wary of people giving advice about products they have never owned, anecdotal experience is no experience. :-) For the price, I would definitely do it, even if you have to replace the impeller you come out way ahead.