Need advise on a protein skimmer!!!!!

[Drews89]

Hey people I'm searching for a skimmer, I don't realy know much about them I'm looking for a nice and desent with a reasonable price,
I saw a few on craigslist like for a asm g2 and g3 and for the g3 it's 120 and the g2 for 100 ......need some advice... Ohhhh by the way I planing to place the skimmer on a 30gallon custom sump that I just got from a buddy of mine!

[davocean]

What's tank size?
ASM are decent, older school design, but for not much more than that you could do a reefoctopus x or MSX that would be a good bit better IMO.
Check what sump will allow for footprint, as well as stand height.

[Drews89]

My tank size is a 90g
What do u mean by the allowing By footprint

[cindre2000]

The ASM G3 is a nice older workhorse that will usually get the job done. One thing to keep an eye out for, though, it to check to see if the magnet is swollen, which leads to restart issues.

On the other hand, the Octopus Extreme 160 will give you a bit better capacity, as well as a lower electrical consumption, and a smaller footprint. They are also very solidly built.

It sounds like you are on a bit of a budget; just keep in mind that if you get the right skimmer, you are buying once, for the lifetime of the tank.

[jonbry123]

Agree with both previous posts the Octopus line is much better particularly the cone skimmers from what I'm hearing. The ASM is a good skimmer won't go wrong but you can do better. My personal choice only becuase I've had them before some of the newer skimmers came out is the AquaC skimmers I have a 400 on my 300gl and it pulls skimmate like crazy I've had this one for over 5 years and love it.

[iamwrasseman]

just be careful with the asm skimmer as they are not heavy duty and the seal areas along with the tubing is prone to breakage . as mentioned above they do work well and i have three of them that all are doing great in my applications . i have a G3 running a pretty heavily stocked 450 gallon system and it is keeping up very well . i get a pint of dark coffee like skim mate daily and it restarts every time ,6 yrs old too . i just sold a G1x and its really turned around the tank that it is on which is a 160 gallon tank and the skimmer is under rated for that size tank but it is a good work horse . they are pretty delicate so be easy on it if you get one .

[Drews89]

Well I'm not realy focusing on just on the g2 or g3 I just want to shop around for different brands that are floating out there and looking for something decent that will do my job in my 90 gallon like last night I found another one this skimmer by Infinitive Designs now how's that one???

[DevinWolfe]

I use the Reef Octopus NWB-110 on my 75 w/ sump and fuge and it has been doing a fantastic job.

For a 90 if you can fit it they offer an NWB-150 for about $25 more and it has only a couple inches more footprint space.

All new Reef Octopus skimmers use a pinwheel impeller that claims to be 30% more effective than needle wheels. I'm not sure how true this is or if its a marketing thing, but it seems to work really well.

[on the spot]

...last night I found another one this skimmer by Infinitive Designs now how's that one???

A good rule of thumb. Google it.

Chances are good if your search doesn't bring up vendors or thread posting (particularly to RC) about your product it would be best to move on. I tried a search, and I found your thread and a CL post...probably the one you are looking at.

If that ASM fits in your sump that would be a good choice. If you have more time to look hold out for an octopus, MSX, or save up your pennies for a nice cone. A few more posts and some more time here, they will let you look in the for sale section. You might do well to hold off until you can look there.

Jim

[davocean]

Footprint is the space it takes up, so by that I mean check to make sure it fits that sump compartment.
Also height, and keep in mind skimmers work best at a certain depth, so sometimes you may need to raise it slightly, and also you'll need to be able to remove cup, so like a 20" tall skimmer may need at least 26" clearance or so, that's what I mean by check foot.
I have an octo x 160 and love it, and there may be used ones out there.
ASM's used to be the bomb, and still good, kinda like the old Chevy of skimmers IMO, but there are better designs these days.

[iamwrasseman]

yes i do agree that technology has caught up with the skimmers and there are some awesome designs out there that work great .the ASMs are older tech but work very well and are very simple too. I'm not pushing the ASM just drawing from my experience . i have seen some of the Bermuda's working and ther are very efficient ,built super heavy duty but are a bit loud IMO. they do work awesome as most skimmers that cost $500 or more do . if they didn't work they simply wouldnt be in business in this day and age ,especially with how fast information flies over the Internet .

[Drews89]

the measurements are
L-11 1/4
W- 11 1/2
H-17 3/4

but since im new on putting a sump on my 90g were ! or is there an specific place were I need to put it at because I was thinking on putting it was were the water comes down from the main tank or is there other ideas >?

[AquamanE]

MSX. you cant go wrong with its price and quailty.

[davocean]

^^ Yep, MSX is almost exact same as octo, but a few bucks cheaper new, and both might find used.
As for pic skimmer goes on left side, and inside perimeter is max footprint.
That's set up old school design(fine, same as mine) drain/skimmer-fuge-return.
Placement down below just depends on how ya wanna run drain and return line, I usually like a shorter return line.
I would have preferred last baffle to be an "under" just before return chamber instead of an "over", less chance of pump running dry, just keep it at level or correct it now while dry, not hard to do.

[Scooter902]

IMO reef octopus is dollar for dollar the best skimmer on the market.

Can't go wrong.

[iamwrasseman]

your sock and skimmer should be in the first chamber which looks to small . you can put the skimmer in the middle chamber but i would put the heaters and mud along with some calurpia and a light .then the return pump in the third chamber .

[davocean]

Octo x 160 footprint is only 8"x10", I'm guessing it would fit.
Not a fan of mud myself, and definitely don't advocate caulerpa, way too invasive, goes sexual if not lit 24/7.(we can't even buy it here in cali, and other states may be soon to follow)
Chaeto is a much better choice for macro.

[iamwrasseman]

okay then ?

[Drews89]

OK im new to a sump since im running a different set up right now .
but my question is where should I put the skimmer or drain and return pump soo can any one correct me !!

[davocean]

Right now it's set up just like I said, going from your pic, from left side.
Skimmer drain-fuge-return.
The 3 baffles are meant to trap micro bubbles from drain and skimmer, which both will go in first chamber on left.

[iamwrasseman]

davocean is right on path ,you want the skimmer to get the water first or at least as close as possible as your drain may incorporate a sock for the big stuff . if you are going to use a sock its tight sometimes in the same chamber but the skimmer should be in the first chamber as with the sock also again if your going to use one . many people dont use socks and there is nothing wrong with that but your fuge will end up with much more sediment .again not such a bad thing .

[celano]

Check out the BM NAC6. Its a really good skimmer for the price(around 160 shipped)and has a small footprint.

[CleveYank]

Skimmers.

You want to look for footprint 1st.
Then look for things like cast acrylic.
Then you look at reputations for failures. google the exact models you are looking for with the phrase trouble with or complaints.
Then look to google for mods on the models you are looking for. If there are 3 mods for your possible skimmer, unlless you are getting it free look for something else. (It more than likely has the mods because it was not that hot to begin with.)
Next, bubble plate, recirc, cone, and lowest possible power consumption.
For example alot of the bubble plated skimmers made out of cast acrylic with the bubble blaster pumps for their size will out perform an old style beckett at 1/3 of the power consumption that is rated for half their output.
The more current or higher in the tech curve it will be the more it will cost. Some are justified and some are not. If you are able to run a skimmer on one 60 watt pump as compared to a feed pump and a recirc pump getting to 150 to 200 watts of power? Plus it's more efficient then the overall bang for the buck down the road can justify going for the new more expensive designs.

[Rskillz]

I had a Euro Reef that NEVER worked right. Got a Reef Octopus and it's simply awesome. Quiet, no micro bubbles, works it butt off. Its the NW 150B.

It's only about 175 online. THERE is your answer.

[Drews89]

is this how's it should be done !!!!any one!!!

[celano]

is this how's it should be done !!!!any one!!!

Thats how mines setup and it's worked great for over three years now.

[davocean]

Yep, that's it, and drain goes in same chamber as skimmer.

[Drews89]

Thanx every one!
Now before I put in the sump do I put PVC or just some hose from the over flow box to the drain....if it's PVC what size ... And for the return too??

[Rskillz]

PVC for sure, 1 inch is pretty standard. 3/4 as well. Might want to look into a Durso drain as well.

[SwampyBill]

I'm very happy with the Eshopps 100 skimmer that's working great on my 65 gal mixed reef. Under $150, good prompt service when I had to return the impeller, & footprint is only about 10x4x22.

[davocean]

My drain is flexible PVC/spaflex, highly recommend that stuff, but not sure about attach to overflow box.
For return pump I also went flexible w/ braided hose, I like flex of both.
Nylon hose clamps, I like those doubled up.

[Drews89]

Can I buy the PVC/spaflex at home depot!

[cdeboard]

Looks good... aweful small return though. Hope your using an ATO or you will be lugging jugs twice a day easy.

[Drews89]

What's an ATO and to how or were to get it and last why is it usefull for?

[Crush Coral]

I am no sump expert, since I don't have one but will soon - but I am concerned with the height of the glass seperators in his sump in that are they too high for when he shuts down the system that it will overflow?

[iamwrasseman]

crush coral you are correct as it looks as though there is room for maybe 5- 7 gal of overflow water and that is pushing it for sure . on a 17 1/2" tank i would use 10" for the first divider then 8"to flow over and 9" to flow under and then another 8" over . also the center 9" piece should be raised 2" so its 1" higher than the first overflow chamber . it looks as if your at approx 14" in the first chamber and that is really to high IMO . i also think it needs to be lowered ,good eye Crush Coral i didn't catch that and that could be disasterous .

[davocean]

I would make sure to have return lines/locklines up high for early siphon break, and that is why I suggested last baffle be switched to an under, less chance of running dry, water can keep running from fuge, rather than level getting too low for water to go over that last baffle.

[davocean]

Oh, and yes they usually have spa flex at HD, and they do carry braided line as well.