Why ASM or Euroreef, talk me into spending the $$

bigbenji · 02/24/2006, 12:27 AM

I'm just wondering why people pay big $$ for asm and euroreef skimmers. Are the plastic/acryclic pieces really that great? I can get the modified sedra by itself for around $75 from custom aquatic, but why should I pay an extra $125-$150 for the skimmer itself? I think using this awesome pump on an imitation skimmer would work about as well, so I need someone to convince me to spend the extra $$ for the name. I'm really trying to justify the cost.

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...keyresult5.asp

Alaskan Reefer · 02/24/2006, 12:46 AM

You'll pay a lot more than that for a Euroreef ($628 for mine). The ASM is a good functioning, much weaker built Euroreef knockoff. The Euroreef is the real deal. Just depends on what you want to pay.

If you really want to justify the cost, just say you're worth it. That's all I did.

In reality, the best bang for the buck is a DIY airstone skimmer, which if done correctly can skim circles around many skimmers that cost 10X as much. There are some awesome units owned by RC folks with photos posted -- do a search. I think they're every bit as awesome as my CS-180, just filling a different need.

bigbenji · 02/24/2006, 01:11 AM

Yeah, but I'm horrible with DIY stuff. I'd rather pay top $$$ for something already built.

Marinworld · 02/24/2006, 01:15 AM

realize that the cost in some of these skimmers is the acrylic tubes.

An acrylic tube is a costly item. Those that use the heavy gage tubes have to charge more. Keel that in mind when you consider the equipment. Alaskan Reefer, you are so.......right when you say some small airstone skimmers work well. I used to use a small skimmer mnufactured by Tunze 40 years ago, that had a contact tube 6-8" tall, a simple collection cup on top, and used a wood airstone, and it worked very well.

So, think twice about spending $600-800 for one skimmer. You may be the one getting skimmed.

Marinworld

cwegescheide · 02/24/2006, 01:23 AM

600 - 800 for a skimmer on a 75 gallon reef? I dont think so. I've got a Euro Reef 6.2 or something like that (can't remember the model off the top of my head) that cost about 350 with tax. This thing skims the heck out of my 90.

I had a Turbofloater 1000 that I paid about the same for that doesn't hold a candle to the euroreef. The Euro pulls out more gunk in a few days than that turbo would pull out in darn near a month.

If you think Euro Reef is expensive then you should look at bubble kings... LOL

Its like going to Nieman Marcus and thinking to yourself "Man Nordstrom is pretty cheap after all!!"

donski · 02/24/2006, 02:08 AM

With almost every piece of equipment for a reeftank you can spend economy, moderate or top of the line . For instance I just purchased a 120 AGA. If abudget were no object I would have went with an Oceanic. But the money I saved I used for a EuroReef skimmer.(And a RO/DI unit) Others might tell you get the oceanic and the ASM. But IMO a good skimmer is a top priority.(Both ASM & Euroreef are good) Only one thing is for sure in this hobby... you wish you had more $$$ to spend on it!!!!

bigbenji · 02/24/2006, 02:33 AM

Ok, so using a sedra on an el cheapo skimmer isn't worth the effort? I guess I don't understand why the quality of the acrylic matters. The gauge and height of the tube matters because of the volume it holds, but does the thickness/quality of the tube itself matter? Its not like its going to be kicked or jumped on.

has anyone tried using a sedra on a different skimmer?

MiddletonMark · 02/24/2006, 05:52 AM

What's the el-cheapo skimmer?

Is it designed and sized like an ASM/ER? Is it going to require significant DIY to work well?

I'd keep an eye out for a used skimmer. Cleaned up [and working fine] ... no different than a used one, just cheaper. [find someone upgrading tanks]
Personally, I don't run a needlewheel, but would go with ASM price-wise as IMO they seem quite similar except for price.

As stated before - acrylic tube is a suprisingly expensive thing. If you can DIY-it ... that might be a good deal. But if it turns to be not as effective as a non-DIY ... more money spent.

Good luck either way

dvanacker · 02/24/2006, 08:15 AM

ASM ...all the way if you are looking for a good place to cut a corner. They function exactly like a EUROREEF but use cheaper plastics. I have one and love it. No problems in the 8 months its been running.

sjm817 · 02/24/2006, 08:21 AM

ASM is not a top of the line big $$ skimmer, neither is the Sedra a top NW pump. They are both "bang for the buck" products.

bigbenji · 02/24/2006, 11:07 AM

For my 75g tank, and $$ being the biggest issue, ASM and the Sedra are the top of the line. I won't spend more on a skimmer than that. My el cheapo skimmer is a used won brothers cu-125 with genx needle wheel. I bought it used for $5.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Venturi-Protein-...QQcmdZViewItem

I just want to know if using a sedra would make a difference. I'm sure shelling out $200 for the cheapest ASM would, but I'd rather not spend that much.

Evansbr · 02/24/2006, 11:14 AM

Well, I run an ASM and two Euro reef skimmers, I have dropped the Euro reef cup and it bounced, no damage. I don't know if the ASM would be as lucky. If you have the money and want to try another brand skimmer with the Sedra pump give it a shot. I just like the idea of plug and play. I've been thru alot of skimmers and am finally happy with the performance I'm getting.

bigbenji · 02/24/2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evansbr
I've been thru alot of skimmers and am finally happy with the performance I'm getting.

That might be the key right there. I often spend less and hope to get a great deal, just to spend more later on. stupid hobby

James77 · 02/24/2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evansbr
Well, I run an ASM and two Euro reef skimmers, I have dropped the Euro reef cup and it bounced, no damage. I don't know if the ASM would be as lucky. .

Just dropped the cup on my old ASM G2- it cracked right up the side. Still fully usable though. The ASMs are still a very decent skimmer.

dhnguyen · 02/24/2006, 12:15 PM

I would choose neither ASM nor ER to tell ya the truth.

Check out these instead.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=749634

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...S-CVOCT-NW-200
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...VOCT-VENTU-100
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...mid=PS-PC-3000

speedracer02 · 02/24/2006, 12:32 PM

^

donski · 02/24/2006, 05:17 PM

Go to marine depot. Clearance items. Some good deals on Euro-reef skimmers. page 2 or 3

alanscott · 02/24/2006, 05:44 PM

I would go with the ASM. I not into building things either, so I went with the ASM G3 for my 75 gallon tank. IT does a great job, and I am very happy with it. The only thing I don't like it the skimmer cup is very hard to remove. I often have to really twist it and sometimes spill that gross stuff that it collects. Anyone know of an easy way to remove it let me know.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/25/2006, 01:30 AM

Euroreef's bayonet fitting on newer models is very easy to remove -- here's my CS-180, isn't she purdy? The bioballs will be removed soon, or whenever I actually get detectable nitrates.

bigbenji · 02/25/2006, 01:35 AM

That's probably what I'll end up with. I don't want to DIY anything and there are a lot of folks who seem happy with ASM.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/25/2006, 01:38 AM

ASM is a skimmer that performs nicely for the money -- good choice.

PatMayo · 02/25/2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
I would choose neither ASM nor ER to tell ya the truth.

Check out these instead.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=749634

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...S-CVOCT-NW-200
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...VOCT-VENTU-100
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...mid=PS-PC-3000

Have you used any of the above skimmers?

Regards,

Pat

adnup · 03/14/2006, 01:27 AM

OK I'm still on the fence:
ASM or ER????

$260 or $400??

Save $140 or Spend $140??

dhnguyen · 03/14/2006, 01:29 AM

IMO Neither... Check this out

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=9

elephen · 03/14/2006, 07:53 AM

This place carriers ASM, ER and the PCI skimmers, all prices are really darn good too!

http://reeftanksupply.com/index.php?...sort=3a&page=2

02/24/2006, 12:27 AM	#1
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	Why ASM or Euroreef, talk me into spending the $$ I'm just wondering why people pay big $$ for asm and euroreef skimmers. Are the plastic/acryclic pieces really that great? I can get the modified sedra by itself for around $75 from custom aquatic, but why should I pay an extra $125-$150 for the skimmer itself? I think using this awesome pump on an imitation skimmer would work about as well, so I need someone to convince me to spend the extra $$ for the name. I'm really trying to justify the cost. http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...keyresult5.asp __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

02/24/2006, 12:46 AM	#2
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	You'll pay a lot more than that for a Euroreef ($628 for mine). The ASM is a good functioning, much weaker built Euroreef knockoff. The Euroreef is the real deal. Just depends on what you want to pay. If you really want to justify the cost, just say you're worth it. That's all I did. In reality, the best bang for the buck is a DIY airstone skimmer, which if done correctly can skim circles around many skimmers that cost 10X as much. There are some awesome units owned by RC folks with photos posted -- do a search. I think they're every bit as awesome as my CS-180, just filling a different need. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/24/2006, 01:11 AM	#3
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	Yeah, but I'm horrible with DIY stuff. I'd rather pay top $$$ for something already built. __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

02/24/2006, 01:15 AM	#4
Marinworld Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 89	realize that the cost in some of these skimmers is the acrylic tubes. An acrylic tube is a costly item. Those that use the heavy gage tubes have to charge more. Keel that in mind when you consider the equipment. Alaskan Reefer, you are so.......right when you say some small airstone skimmers work well. I used to use a small skimmer mnufactured by Tunze 40 years ago, that had a contact tube 6-8" tall, a simple collection cup on top, and used a wood airstone, and it worked very well. So, think twice about spending $600-800 for one skimmer. You may be the one getting skimmed. Marinworld __________________ "I Never Met A Fish I Didn't Like" Current Tank Info: 58 Gallon Reef Tank, Wet-Dry, Skimmer, UV, Chiller, SPS/LPS, Acanthurus leucosternon, Paracanthurus hepatus, Premnas biaculeatus, Centropyge acanthops/loriculus/nox, Gramma loreto, Pomacentrus coeruleus, Neocirrhitus armatus

02/24/2006, 02:33 AM	#7
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	Ok, so using a sedra on an el cheapo skimmer isn't worth the effort? I guess I don't understand why the quality of the acrylic matters. The gauge and height of the tube matters because of the volume it holds, but does the thickness/quality of the tube itself matter? Its not like its going to be kicked or jumped on. has anyone tried using a sedra on a different skimmer? __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

02/24/2006, 01:23 AM	#5
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	600 - 800 for a skimmer on a 75 gallon reef? I dont think so. I've got a Euro Reef 6.2 or something like that (can't remember the model off the top of my head) that cost about 350 with tax. This thing skims the heck out of my 90. I had a Turbofloater 1000 that I paid about the same for that doesn't hold a candle to the euroreef. The Euro pulls out more gunk in a few days than that turbo would pull out in darn near a month. If you think Euro Reef is expensive then you should look at bubble kings... LOL Its like going to Nieman Marcus and thinking to yourself "Man Nordstrom is pretty cheap after all!!"

02/24/2006, 02:08 AM	#6
donski Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: oakhurst CA Posts: 115	With almost every piece of equipment for a reeftank you can spend economy, moderate or top of the line . For instance I just purchased a 120 AGA. If abudget were no object I would have went with an Oceanic. But the money I saved I used for a EuroReef skimmer.(And a RO/DI unit) Others might tell you get the oceanic and the ASM. But IMO a good skimmer is a top priority.(Both ASM & Euroreef are good) Only one thing is for sure in this hobby... you wish you had more $$$ to spend on it!!!!

02/24/2006, 05:52 AM	#8
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	What's the el-cheapo skimmer? Is it designed and sized like an ASM/ER? Is it going to require significant DIY to work well? I'd keep an eye out for a used skimmer. Cleaned up [and working fine] ... no different than a used one, just cheaper. [find someone upgrading tanks] Personally, I don't run a needlewheel, but would go with ASM price-wise as IMO they seem quite similar except for price. As stated before - acrylic tube is a suprisingly expensive thing. If you can DIY-it ... that might be a good deal. But if it turns to be not as effective as a non-DIY ... more money spent. Good luck either way __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

02/24/2006, 08:15 AM	#9
dvanacker DID I SOUNDS SMRT?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, CAN Posts: 3,690	ASM ...all the way if you are looking for a good place to cut a corner. They function exactly like a EUROREEF but use cheaper plastics. I have one and love it. No problems in the 8 months its been running. __________________ --DARRYL-- Current Tank Info: 200g SPS dominant Mixed Reef

02/24/2006, 08:21 AM	#10
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	ASM is not a top of the line big $$ skimmer, neither is the Sedra a top NW pump. They are both "bang for the buck" products. __________________ - Scott

02/24/2006, 11:07 AM	#11
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	For my 75g tank, and $$ being the biggest issue, ASM and the Sedra are the top of the line. I won't spend more on a skimmer than that. My el cheapo skimmer is a used won brothers cu-125 with genx needle wheel. I bought it used for $5. http://cgi.ebay.com/Venturi-Protein-...QQcmdZViewItem I just want to know if using a sedra would make a difference. I'm sure shelling out $200 for the cheapest ASM would, but I'd rather not spend that much. __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

02/24/2006, 11:14 AM	#12
Evansbr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland,OR Posts: 156	Well, I run an ASM and two Euro reef skimmers, I have dropped the Euro reef cup and it bounced, no damage. I don't know if the ASM would be as lucky. If you have the money and want to try another brand skimmer with the Sedra pump give it a shot. I just like the idea of plug and play. I've been thru alot of skimmers and am finally happy with the performance I'm getting.

02/24/2006, 12:15 PM	#15
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	I would choose neither ASM nor ER to tell ya the truth. Check out these instead. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=749634 http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...S-CVOCT-NW-200 http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...VOCT-VENTU-100 http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...mid=PS-PC-3000

02/24/2006, 12:32 PM	#16
speedracer02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Auburn Alabama Posts: 50	^ __________________ "If your expecting a kick in the balls and instead get slapped in the face, then its a victory." Current Tank Info: It's coming along nicely.

02/24/2006, 05:17 PM	#17
donski Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: oakhurst CA Posts: 115	Go to marine depot. Clearance items. Some good deals on Euro-reef skimmers. page 2 or 3

02/24/2006, 05:44 PM	#18
alanscott Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fresno, Calif Posts: 155	I would go with the ASM. I not into building things either, so I went with the ASM G3 for my 75 gallon tank. IT does a great job, and I am very happy with it. The only thing I don't like it the skimmer cup is very hard to remove. I often have to really twist it and sometimes spill that gross stuff that it collects. Anyone know of an easy way to remove it let me know.

02/25/2006, 01:30 AM	#19
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Euroreef's bayonet fitting on newer models is very easy to remove -- here's my CS-180, isn't she purdy? The bioballs will be removed soon, or whenever I actually get detectable nitrates. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/25/2006, 01:35 AM	#20
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	That's probably what I'll end up with. I don't want to DIY anything and there are a lot of folks who seem happy with ASM. __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

02/25/2006, 01:38 AM	#21
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	ASM is a skimmer that performs nicely for the money -- good choice. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/14/2006, 01:27 AM	#23
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	OK I'm still on the fence: ASM or ER???? $260 or $400?? Save $140 or Spend $140?? __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

03/14/2006, 01:29 AM	#24
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	IMO Neither... Check this out http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=9

03/14/2006, 07:53 AM	#25
elephen Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kc Posts: 2,763	This place carriers ASM, ER and the PCI skimmers, all prices are really darn good too! http://reeftanksupply.com/index.php?...sort=3a&page=2