Skimmer Q&A Thread

[427HISS]

Hey mojo & others-

Several years ago I bought a ASM G-2 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 Pump, for my 75g reef. I got out of the hobby in the 90's and I'm now planning a new 75g mixed reef. I never did run this skimmer, so it's new in the box.

Some questions-

Although ASM has up-dated with new G-series, is my model still a good choice for my size tank and mixed corals with several smaller fish ?

Should I sell it here or on ebay and get a different skimmer ?

The instructions are missing (?) so how do I set-up & adjust this one and do I need to elevate it or does it sit on the bottom of my sump ?

I read on a different site that some people have changed out the supplied pump on their G-5,.... to a "Bubble Blaster Protein Skimmer Pinwheel Pump", and if so, why ?

What are the difference's between my older G-2 and the newer G-series ?

I see it's still, a $300 skimmer.

All information, advise and comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[mcarroll]

60 gallon tank here with 30 gallon sump, currently running eshopps psk75 and i am tired of it looking for a better skimmer. Maxed out on the bio load... What are my options guys?

I run a similarly proportioned system and I have really liked the AquaC EV-90 I ran with various pumps. Awesome upgradability and flexibility since you can pick your own pump. The EV-120 is the closest, but slightly larger, modern equivalent to the EV-90. You should even be able to find one used, with or without the pump, for a good price.

I'm currently running a Tunze 9410. In terms if skimmate it seems to pull about the same quantity/quality as the AquaC did (really, any similarly-sized, properly tuned skimmer should perform similarly on a given system), but the 9410 is using about 15 watts to do it. It's also much more quiet than my EV-90, but I think almost al EV-120's you're likely to find can be fitted with an air silencer if needed. The EV-90 was designed with the air-input "wide-open" - no silencer is really possible.

I would strongly recommend either.

[...]Several years ago I bought a ASM G-2 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 Pump, for my 75g reef. I got out of the hobby in the 90's and I'm now planning a new 75g mixed reef. I never did run this skimmer, so it's new in the box.
[...]
Although ASM has up-dated with new G-series, is my model still a good choice for my size tank and mixed corals with several smaller fish ?

Yes, still a nice skimmer for your project - doubly so since it's happens to be paid for! :)

The skimmer has a level-adjustment on the water outlet you will need to use. But you should be prepared to either adjust the water height in the sump or the level of the skimmer as well - it depends both on the skimmer's ideal/preferred sump water level and the design water level of the sump it's in, so experimentation will be needed for a perfect setting. It seems like having the water 3-6" above the impeller is a good rule of thumb if you have no idea where to start. Pumps and parts are still available and seem reasonably priced.

-Matt

 

[bkweibley]

I'm looking for the best bang for the buck on a skimmer for approx 170 gallon system.
90 gallon DT, 40 gallon frag, 55 gallon sump/refug

 

[mcarroll]

Used is always the best bang/buck if you have patience and aren't too specific. AquaC is a good choice you are likely to see available pretty frequently.

Any space requirements for height or footprint?

Are you using LED's on a ventilated tank so heat/efficiency aren't a very big deal?

Or halide/T5 where investment in a very-efficienct pump might be worth-while?

-Matt

 

[vbsaltydog]

AquaC is a good choice you are likely to see available pretty frequently.

I respectfully disagree with the AquaC recommendation. Reef Octopus, Vertex, SWC are much better choices.

 

[mcarroll]

Nothing to disagree with just cuz you wanna make different recommendations. You're apparently a needle-wheel fan. That's OK! :)

After all, AquaC makes an excellent skimmer (got one sitting here, so I'm not guessing or making it up. it does a great job, and the newer ones are even nicer). And AquaC is one brand that he's likely to see frequently on the used market. What's there really to disagree with? :) :) :)

I'm sure if he's patient RO's, Vertex's and SWC's show up on the used market too....just not nearly as often, and I'm not sure of the usual cost.

Haven't heard back from the bkweibley to know if used fits his bang:buck priorities....if he wants a new unit, it's a whole new question. :)

Good luck!

-Matt

 

[bkweibley]

Sorry that I havent responded. I was thinking of going used because I had assumed that a skimmer the size im looking for would have been $400+ new. Ive been talking with a friend who kinda has his own fish business out of his house, he told me he could get me a brand new Bubble Magus curve 7 for $250. Looking around Im seeing them around $280 so im guessing thats probably a decent deal. I believe Bubble Magus is a pretty well known brand name? What are your thoughts on it?

 

[mcarroll]

I will admit i don't have direct experience with that skimmer, but based on their published info I'll still go out on a limb and say that their rating is optimistic (ratings are more for comparing one company's skimmers to their other skimmers vs other comparing with other makes...too many ways to rate a skimmer) and you'll be pushing it's limits or find it to be undersized for your system unless you keep a smaller than typical bio-load. In spite of its height, it's a little skimmer, after all. (How much of that 21" height is skimmer cup+parts and pump+parts?)

It does seem like a competitive price for the unit, fwiw. :)

Did you need the small footprint (and extra height) of that skimmer line, or was it just one skimmer and a good price that was given to you?

If you are sold on the Curve line, I think your should go up one size to the 9. (24" tall) Does that height work?

I would also check into parts availability and cost - those pumps appear to be custom and the company hasn't been around long. Needing to be replaced when the impeller dies would make this skimmer much more expensive. ;)

If you're still looking around, a Tunze 9415 might be my favorite suggestion, all things considered, if not the cheapest. Probably the best-designed skimmer out there IMO. Company is solid, parts are cheap/available, high performance and high efficiency. They carry a higher retail price, but maybe your friend can help you on this price too?

Lots of options out there, and none will be very disappointing, just better or worse to live with (which includes reliability) and maybe a bit more or less expensive. Hard to totally go wrong these days.

And just for perspective and to make a point, in 2 seconds just now I found a used AquaC EV240 (with pump) for sale that's coming off a 240 gallon SPS system for $375 including shipping. That would be a killer skimmer (maybe a touch oversized) for your system. :)

-Matt

 

[bkweibley]

I just came home to see that you responded on the curve. I was out in town and saw an even better deal on it, with a 25% coupon. Retailing at $289 it only actually costed $216, I had to jump on it. LoL. Got it home and took it out of the box, it seems like a very well built skimmer the only thing that I am confused on is that there isnt a cap for the drain hole in the cup? Am I miss-understanding something, or was a part left out of my package?

EDIT: I noticed there is a cap on the end of one of the spare airlines that came along with it, im just not sure what the point of having 12 inches of air line, with the cap at the end of it, instead of caping it right at the cup

 

[mcarroll]

Nothing in the destructions about the airline?


-Matt

 

[bkweibley]

Nothing in the destructions about the airline?


-Matt

Nothing in the instructions I have just been trying to look at pics online and I just see that they have the long line attached on it.

 

[mcarroll]

All I can think is that it's an addedconvenience if you decide to use an extra waste container. No need to hunt down fittings or tubing.

-Matt

 

[nwkermit]

This maybe hard to answer but....I won a bashsea twisted skimmer a few month back, it's the upgraded hot rod edition. Can you guys looks at that skimmer and tell me what you think. It's build like a tank, but I am not sure should I keep and use it it sell it and get either a diablo or curve 9.

 

[427HISS]

I run a similarly proportioned system and I have really liked the AquaC EV-90 I ran with various pumps. Awesome upgradability and flexibility since you can pick your own pump. The EV-120 is the closest, but slightly larger, modern equivalent to the EV-90. You should even be able to find one used, with or without the pump, for a good price.

I'm currently running a Tunze 9410. In terms if skimmate it seems to pull about the same quantity/quality as the AquaC did (really, any similarly-sized, properly tuned skimmer should perform similarly on a given system), but the 9410 is using about 15 watts to do it. It's also much more quiet than my EV-90, but I think almost al EV-120's you're likely to find can be fitted with an air silencer if needed. The EV-90 was designed with the air-input "wide-open" - no silencer is really possible.

I would strongly recommend either.



Yes, still a nice skimmer for your project - doubly so since it's happens to be paid for! :)

The skimmer has a level-adjustment on the water outlet you will need to use. But you should be prepared to either adjust the water height in the sump or the level of the skimmer as well - it depends both on the skimmer's ideal/preferred sump water level and the design water level of the sump it's in, so experimentation will be needed for a perfect setting. It seems like having the water 3-6" above the impeller is a good rule of thumb if you have no idea where to start. Pumps and parts are still available and seem reasonably priced.

-Matt

Sorry for the late reply.
Thank you and I appreciate your information !
Kevin

 

[bencameron27]

Hi just wondered if anyone could help I'm currently using a kent nano skimmer in my nano setup it's the first skimmer I have used and seem to be having problem after problem! Long story short it's been 6 weeks and it's still pumping out way to many bubbles in my tank , can anyone suggest a skimmer that will not pump bubbles into my tank once broke in, It has to be used on my show tank as I'am not running a sump on this tank. Appreciate the help thanks.

 

[NYreefNOOB]

ben, what tank do you have ? where is the skimmer located in the tank and what model skimmer do you have.

for the person reccomending aqua skimmers-- they are junk, too finicky and require a pressure rated pump to run correctly, same as any becket or down draft style skimmer.

 

[NYreefNOOB]

nwk id sell it, the hod rod series only differance i believe is the paintings on it. they have been out a few years and didnt take off for a reason

 

[bencameron27]

Hi thanks for the reply I have an old aqua one AR620 its around 95 litres, I converted the lighting and put a big external on it with 9w of UV, it seems to be doing good struggling with nitrate but think in on the way down now just want to get a decent skimmer, the one I have is a kent nano skimmer it's pretty cheap and real easy to use just hasn't been reliable and keeps pumping out a lot of bubbles I would just go for a big skimmer and put it in a sump but I can't add a sump yet and don't really plan to because I plan on upgrading the tank within the next 12 months to something bigger anyway, do you have any suggestions for a hang on or internal skimmer that won't flood my tank with micro bubbles once it's broke in? Thanks

 

[bencameron27]

Also it's located at the back behind the rock :) thanks

 

[NYreefNOOB]

ben wait till you upgrade to get another skimmer. wc will do more for nitrate reduction then any skimmer can or will, also pending bio-load and what your feeding