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View Full Version : AquaC EV-180 vs ASM G-3


ektor
11/11/2008, 08:39 AM
I'm sure this question has been asked a 100 times but, I could not find the thread. Currently looking to purchase one or the other for a new setup. The new build will be a 120-150 Gal Mixed Reef.

Suggestions?

mikeatjac
11/11/2008, 08:44 AM
I had a ASM G-3 and I think it was weak. No experience with the AquaC

joshkennedy07
11/11/2008, 11:19 AM
Aqua C. No contest.

BlkLs1SS
11/11/2008, 11:53 AM
No experience with the ASM, but I have been running an AquaC EV 180 with a mag 9.5 instead of the Mag 7 so it is overdriven. Takes a little fine tuning but it really pulls out some dark nasty smelling scum. Been running it for about a month and a half. so far i'm happy with it. Oh and its on a 125.

sackman
11/11/2008, 12:49 PM
just got my EV 180 setting it up last night how do you keep the noise down is like a water fall LOL

jtma508
11/11/2008, 05:01 PM
I also have an EV180 Love it. Has worked like a champ from day 1. Definitely upsize the pump. I run a 9.5 on mine. The sump water height is critical. Don't try and fudge it with the gatevalve. Water should be at the lower lip of the gate outflow.

I quieted mine down by installing a 90deg el on the gatevalve outflow turned down into the water. Be sure to drill a 1/4" siphon hole on the top of the el if you go this route. Works great. I also have a 'take-off' from my 9.5 output that drives my 2 TLF reactors. I also inject both ozone and my Ca reactor effluent into the 180. It still pulls outrageous skimmate. Again, no complaints here.

Mr. Brooks
11/11/2008, 05:07 PM
I have an ASM G4. I'm not very happy with it. I'm going to try the mesh mod. Compared to my Deltec the ASM is junk.

sackman
11/12/2008, 01:24 AM
jtma508, thanks for the tips got it to works i did it just like what you said but i am running with Eheim 1262 so far so good well see when i get up in the morning hey what are you using as far as wast cup ?

Zegg
11/12/2008, 02:11 AM
I have 0 experience with either one, but was trying to decide on which one myslef G-3 or AquaC 180, made the purchase today...

I went with the AquaC EV-180 with JG fitting and with a rio 3100 pump, went with the rio as less wattage and more gph than the reccomend mag7. Plus with the rio3100 and JG fitting is only 75 bucks more than the G-3

I think the extra $75 for the AquaC 180 is worth the extra effort in the engineering dept alone. Also everywhere I read for the ASM g-3 to work great, mods are needed still works okay without them from what I gather. AquaC has been a great skimmer and you will be hard pressed to find someone bashing the aquaC, atleast from what I can find on the web and reviews and opinions of others. Most extensive "mods" I read about AquaC is the elbow on drain pipe or controling microbubbles, also the drain collector is a nice feature for the aquaC, if it works anyways. Would be nice to know for sure the float "the ball" actually stop air from exiting and makes it impossible for the skimmer to flood or overflow.

jtma508
11/12/2008, 07:45 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13729903#post13729903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sackman
jtma508, thanks for the tips got it to works i did it just like what you said but i am running with Eheim 1262 so far so good well see when i get up in the morning hey what are you using as far as wast cup ?

I would have gone the Eheim route myself but have very tight sump real estate. The 9.5 has a slightly smaller footprint and, of the two, was the only one that would fit the allotted space.

I use the waste cup that comes with it. No external collector. I find on my 90gal that I have to empty it about every other day or so. I have a piece of tubing from the waste cup running down to the sump (in case of overflow).

One other thing you might consider is getting the 1" injector from AquaC. Email them. It costs $10 but makes a difference IME.

ektor
11/12/2008, 10:38 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions. From what I am reading, go with the EV-180 upgrade to the 1" injector and use the Mag 9.5 that sound about right?

Arthur1
11/12/2008, 10:59 AM
If you have your mind set between those two get the EV. I have set up a bunch of ASMs in the past and have since retired using that line. IMO without doing the mesh and recirc mods they aren't the best and for the money you can get another skimmer that works better and has great worksmanship compared to it as well.

BlkLs1SS
11/12/2008, 11:52 AM
Is the upgraded injector the one that comes on the EV 240?

jtma508
11/12/2008, 12:04 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13731713#post13731713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlkLs1SS
Is the upgraded injector the one that comes on the EV 240?

Yes. the 240 and up use the 1". It will, however, directly screw into the EV180 without any problem. Allows you tio use 1" tubing between the pump and injector.

One other important pointer. Teflon tape both your injector fitting and air valve fitting. Air leaks will drive you insane.

Also, one neat 'mod' I did was install a 1" Tee fitting coming off the mag that has a threaded 1/2" outlet (1" PVC w/ threaded 1/2" tee). I then put a right-angle hose fitting in the 1/2" tee and use that to drive my 2 TLF reactors (GAC / GFO). Works perfectly and doesn't have any negative affect on the skimmer performance.

Rick55555
11/12/2008, 06:59 PM
I'm a big fan of AquaC but I was unable to get my EV-240 working. No matter what I tried the skimmer simply would not skim well. Obviously this is not the same as the EV-180 and the other posters' comments seem to suggest that the EV-180 is a good skimmer (which I don't necessarily doubt)

The skimmer was too finicky for me. The skimmer would stop responding for hours after feeding or cleaning the tank. It would also stop responding when I cooked. However, the workmanship/build quality was definitely solid.

I replaced the EV-240 with an ASM G-3 which has put the EV-240 to shame. My experience with the ASM in comparison has been remarkable. The ASM continues to produce dark, thick skimmate regardless of feeding or cooking.

I used both skimmers in the same tank: a 150 gallon SPS tank with a medium bioload.

Obviously mileage will vary and what I've described is my experience with these skimmers. I'm not trying to discredit any of the other posters. I just wanted to share my thoughts.

Rick

Zegg
11/12/2008, 10:24 PM
Well just took my aquaC 180 out of the box, picked it up was not shipped to me....

Well not even getting all the celophane wrapping off I noticed something...

Not going to say this is any reason not to get one just my bad luck lol...

Just to note, the pics are all the same corner and one edge that would be the bottom. Heres a couple pics to show you what Im talking about.

Instructions still inside the skimmer just after removing the platic wrapping.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo296/Zegg/Cracked%20AquaC%20180/IMG_1517.jpg


Heres a couple views of the corner and 1 edge
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo296/Zegg/Cracked%20AquaC%20180/IMG_1506.jpg
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo296/Zegg/Cracked%20AquaC%20180/IMG_1496.jpg

gkimble
11/12/2008, 11:46 PM
I have an ASM GX-1 and all I got to say is wow! so easy to set. It took my 15 nitrate problem to 0 in one week. It is only one week old and it pulled a full cup of nasty black scum that made me grow a beard. I had a MSX 160 and it was to touchy. Sold it, bought a ASM GX-1 and have not looked back.

Zegg
11/13/2008, 10:24 AM
Whats makes it a good product is customer service as well.

2 mins on the phone and it will be ready for me to pick up a new one and exhange out this cracked one.

So later today I should have this thing up and running!!

sackman
11/13/2008, 10:46 AM
Zegg are you setting it in sump or outside the sump ?

Zegg
11/13/2008, 11:51 AM
in sump for the time being til I upgrade, so I have more room under my stand, using my old aga 75g as a sump for my 90g tank

ari5736
11/13/2008, 01:37 PM
I have a EV 180 and like it enough that I am upgrading to a EV 240. If anybody wants my EV 180 you can take it for 225 dollars shipped w/o pump.

ektor
11/14/2008, 07:49 PM
$225 without a pump is a lot.

TTrick
11/15/2008, 12:49 PM
I have several G-3s running and a EV-240. I have found the ASMs to be very consistent, even when not frequently cleaned. The 240 is more tempermental and needs frequent cleaning. I would not use the 180 out of the sump. That would be asking for trouble.

lakee911
11/15/2008, 01:07 PM
Get the ASM. I hated my old AquaC ... it didn't skim well at all.

Jorober
11/16/2008, 12:39 PM
ASM is a much better skimmer. I have a G-3 on my tank now, and it is by far the best skimmer I've used. I'm going up to a G-4+ that I'm buying from my roommate, and that thing pulls out the nastiest junk I've ever seen. In a week the neck in the collection cup is so full of gunk that it's half the diameter.

My friend owns a store, and I've seen the ASM G-3 sitting next to an AquaC, and let me tell you, there was NO comparison. The ASM pulls out way more gunk from the same system.