which of these 6 skimmers?

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 04:39 PM

This is for my medium bio-load 120G with 50g. sump(about 150g. actual gallon system).
LPS and Monti Digi's & Cap's only.

1. ALS Predator
2. ASM G3
3. ASM G2
4. ETSS Reef Devil
5. ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe
6. CSS 220

Thanks for help!
-Matt

elephen · 01/20/2006, 04:49 PM

No becketts?

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 04:50 PM

this list isn't all defining, but what my most trusted LFS has.
Other skimmers are possible, BUT
1. I want to keep cost under $300 with pump.
2. I want In-Sump
Any thoughts?

moonpod · 01/20/2006, 04:59 PM

Of that list the G3.

Sparkysreef · 01/20/2006, 05:29 PM

I second the G3

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 05:33 PM

remember it doesn't have to be on the list, those are just the easiest for me to get (no shipping)......so if you can think of anything along the lines, please feel free to recommend.
Thanks

chadfarmer · 01/20/2006, 05:56 PM

2. ASM G3

Sparkysreef · 01/20/2006, 06:26 PM

figure out what you skimmer budget is. Get plenty of rest and start searching under skimmer threads.

That's what I did for numerous hours and then made a decision.

Moonpod and Zoom will offer great help in this department as they both not only have knowledge of skimmers but have tried out almost every type of skimmer out there. Not to mention trial and error experience too.

First decision $$$ available

Second decision: beckett, needle wheel, etc. Then narrow down from there

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 06:28 PM

in my second post i stated - $300 or less with pump.
Type doen't matter to me, as long as someone with knowledge recommends it.

sirreal63 · 01/20/2006, 06:35 PM

I happen to love my G3, massive overkill for a 58 but it does the job. :-)

spazz · 01/20/2006, 06:52 PM

get one of the biggest asm skimmers you can afford and do the mods to it. get the gate valve mod. and the recirculating mod for it. then you will have a good entry level skimmer. later on when you upgrade to a bigger tank, get into a top of the line skimmer thats recirculating. make sure you buy the skimmer before you buy the tank. that way you have it when you get the tank running. not after the tank is running and you figure out the current skimmer you have is too small, and your animals are suffering for it.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:06 PM

none of my fish are suffering....but thanks for advice.
trate-0
amm.-0
salinity-1.025(refrac.)
temp. 78.2-79.0(temp. controller)
calc.-420
DKH-9
Mag. 1300

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:10 PM

what do you think of this skimmer???

-used Euro Reef CS6-3 for $280 shipped?

spazz · 01/20/2006, 07:16 PM

just to give you an idea of what im talking about. i have a 120 sps tank. i have a custom built skimmer thats 30" tall and has an 8" diam reaction chamber. and i have to empty the cup every week or it will overflow. but i never have to clean my glass and i have no algae problems. i have an ozoner and it never turns on because the skimmer is 3 times bigger than the tank needs. i still do my monthly water changes. but the skimmer helps keep maintaince to a minimum. i have heard that the asm skimmers are a little over rated for the tank size they recomend. but the mods really help improve the performance of those skimmers.

my2girls · 01/20/2006, 07:17 PM

I would go G3. Stock- no recirc mod. I had a G2 with recirc. It was a joke. A gate valve mod would be good.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:18 PM

so a modded G3 would perform as well or better than the
ER CS6-3?

Bill and Elaine · 01/20/2006, 07:18 PM

I got rid of my ReefDevil to get a G3....( WAY BETTER ).....get the G3 and do the mods.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:20 PM

my2girls.....why no recirc. mod?

tjay · 01/20/2006, 07:21 PM

G3 with the gate, I didnt do recirc but I do run ozone with it
Love it Love it Love it

spazz · 01/20/2006, 07:23 PM

if you can afford the euro reef get that. is alt better built skimmer and wont disapoint you.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:24 PM

the G3 stock is $285 at my LFS

tjay · 01/20/2006, 07:25 PM

Until someone shows me how they are better they are not worth the extra money in my opinion. I just toured 9 reefers homes some were running the er and they did not leave me wishing I had spent the extra money

Just my opinion now, I am sure there are others

my2girls · 01/20/2006, 07:40 PM

Eagles- I'd like it if you changed your name to Giants.

The recirc mod on my G2 was a total disaster. It was done for me professionally. First, the uniseals did not fit into the skimmer body very well. The pump did not stay attached well either. My G2 was gravity fed from the overflow. Bad idea. Even though I added a ball valve it was hard to keep the proper amount of GPH (150-200 for a G2) going through the skimmer. Large air bubbles from the overflow would cause the water/foam line to fluctuate. Many of the guys in the ASM club have had good results with a stock skimmer.

Sparkysreef · 01/20/2006, 07:56 PM

do you have a skimmer now? If so be patient and wait for a good used skimmer for that price. No offense but IMHO I think you will be unhappy with a skimmer new at that price for 120gal

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/20/2006, 07:57 PM

ahhhh.....patience is no virtue i have

01/20/2006, 04:39 PM	#1
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	which of these 6 skimmers? This is for my medium bio-load 120G with 50g. sump(about 150g. actual gallon system). LPS and Monti Digi's & Cap's only. 1. ALS Predator 2. ASM G3 3. ASM G2 4. ETSS Reef Devil 5. ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe 6. CSS 220 Thanks for help! -Matt

01/20/2006, 04:50 PM	#3
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	this list isn't all defining, but what my most trusted LFS has. Other skimmers are possible, BUT 1. I want to keep cost under $300 with pump. 2. I want In-Sump Any thoughts? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 04:59 PM	#4
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Of that list the G3. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

01/20/2006, 05:29 PM	#5
Sparkysreef Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 384	I second the G3 __________________ You can save alot of money on tank insurance by switching to Deltec Current Tank Info: BB 180gal/225lb LR/40 gal and 65 gal sumps/LPS/SPS/clams/2 Reef Optix III pendants on a light mover & Bluewave VII ballast/phoenix14K 250 DE/Deltec PF600S Ca Reactor/2 3/4" seaswirlson CL/Deltec AP702 skimmer, gravity fed/2 vortech pumps

01/20/2006, 05:33 PM	#6
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	remember it doesn't have to be on the list, those are just the easiest for me to get (no shipping)......so if you can think of anything along the lines, please feel free to recommend. Thanks __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 04:49 PM	#2
elephen Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kc Posts: 2,763	No becketts?

01/20/2006, 05:56 PM	#7
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	2. ASM G3 __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

01/20/2006, 06:26 PM	#8
Sparkysreef Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 384	figure out what you skimmer budget is. Get plenty of rest and start searching under skimmer threads. That's what I did for numerous hours and then made a decision. Moonpod and Zoom will offer great help in this department as they both not only have knowledge of skimmers but have tried out almost every type of skimmer out there. Not to mention trial and error experience too. First decision $$$ available Second decision: beckett, needle wheel, etc. Then narrow down from there

01/20/2006, 06:28 PM	#9
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	in my second post i stated - $300 or less with pump. Type doen't matter to me, as long as someone with knowledge recommends it. __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 06:35 PM	#10
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I happen to love my G3, massive overkill for a 58 but it does the job. :-) __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

01/20/2006, 06:52 PM	#11
spazz Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,285	get one of the biggest asm skimmers you can afford and do the mods to it. get the gate valve mod. and the recirculating mod for it. then you will have a good entry level skimmer. later on when you upgrade to a bigger tank, get into a top of the line skimmer thats recirculating. make sure you buy the skimmer before you buy the tank. that way you have it when you get the tank running. not after the tank is running and you figure out the current skimmer you have is too small, and your animals are suffering for it.

01/20/2006, 07:06 PM	#12
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	none of my fish are suffering....but thanks for advice. trate-0 amm.-0 salinity-1.025(refrac.) temp. 78.2-79.0(temp. controller) calc.-420 DKH-9 Mag. 1300 __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 07:10 PM	#13
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	what do you think of this skimmer??? -used Euro Reef CS6-3 for $280 shipped? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 07:16 PM	#14
spazz Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,285	just to give you an idea of what im talking about. i have a 120 sps tank. i have a custom built skimmer thats 30" tall and has an 8" diam reaction chamber. and i have to empty the cup every week or it will overflow. but i never have to clean my glass and i have no algae problems. i have an ozoner and it never turns on because the skimmer is 3 times bigger than the tank needs. i still do my monthly water changes. but the skimmer helps keep maintaince to a minimum. i have heard that the asm skimmers are a little over rated for the tank size they recomend. but the mods really help improve the performance of those skimmers.

01/20/2006, 07:17 PM	#15
my2girls Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Hartford, CT Posts: 2,293	I would go G3. Stock- no recirc mod. I had a G2 with recirc. It was a joke. A gate valve mod would be good. __________________ Always downsizing...

01/20/2006, 07:18 PM	#16
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	so a modded G3 would perform as well or better than the ER CS6-3? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 07:18 PM	#17
Bill and Elaine Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 234	I got rid of my ReefDevil to get a G3....( WAY BETTER ).....get the G3 and do the mods. __________________ I've got a skimmer that ROCKS!!!!!! ((((((OZONE ROCKS))))))....If you do it right ! Current Tank Info: 110g Oceanic/wStand,DIY Hoodw/4x110wVHO Actinic,2-250wMH/10K,LunaTracker,AquaControllerII,JBJ Chiller,AquaMedic1000Cal,Kalk Reactors,100mgOzone,Luftpump,ASM G3 Recirc/Gate Mods,DIY 30gSump/wRefugium,Mag12Return&Mag7w/SCWD closedloop

01/20/2006, 07:20 PM	#18
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	my2girls.....why no recirc. mod? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 07:21 PM	#19
tjay Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 759	G3 with the gate, I didnt do recirc but I do run ozone with it Love it Love it Love it __________________ Click the red house for our pictures Current Tank Info: 90 gallon Oceanic RR SEIO 1100 G3 Skimmer, Ozone, 30 gallon sump/fuge, 130 lbs rock, 3 inch live sand bed. 2X250 MH 20K 4X54 Watt T5 actinic:::: 54 gallon corner seahorse tank

01/20/2006, 07:23 PM	#20
spazz Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,285	if you can afford the euro reef get that. is alt better built skimmer and wont disapoint you.

01/20/2006, 07:24 PM	#21
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	the G3 stock is $285 at my LFS __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/20/2006, 07:25 PM	#22
tjay Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 759	Until someone shows me how they are better they are not worth the extra money in my opinion. I just toured 9 reefers homes some were running the er and they did not leave me wishing I had spent the extra money Just my opinion now, I am sure there are others __________________ Click the red house for our pictures Current Tank Info: 90 gallon Oceanic RR SEIO 1100 G3 Skimmer, Ozone, 30 gallon sump/fuge, 130 lbs rock, 3 inch live sand bed. 2X250 MH 20K 4X54 Watt T5 actinic:::: 54 gallon corner seahorse tank

01/20/2006, 07:40 PM	#23
my2girls Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Hartford, CT Posts: 2,293	Eagles- I'd like it if you changed your name to Giants. The recirc mod on my G2 was a total disaster. It was done for me professionally. First, the uniseals did not fit into the skimmer body very well. The pump did not stay attached well either. My G2 was gravity fed from the overflow. Bad idea. Even though I added a ball valve it was hard to keep the proper amount of GPH (150-200 for a G2) going through the skimmer. Large air bubbles from the overflow would cause the water/foam line to fluctuate. Many of the guys in the ASM club have had good results with a stock skimmer. __________________ Always downsizing...

01/20/2006, 07:56 PM	#24
Sparkysreef Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 384	do you have a skimmer now? If so be patient and wait for a good used skimmer for that price. No offense but IMHO I think you will be unhappy with a skimmer new at that price for 120gal __________________ You can save alot of money on tank insurance by switching to Deltec Current Tank Info: BB 180gal/225lb LR/40 gal and 65 gal sumps/LPS/SPS/clams/2 Reef Optix III pendants on a light mover & Bluewave VII ballast/phoenix14K 250 DE/Deltec PF600S Ca Reactor/2 3/4" seaswirlson CL/Deltec AP702 skimmer, gravity fed/2 vortech pumps

01/20/2006, 07:57 PM	#25
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	ahhhh.....patience is no virtue i have __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.