Protein Skimmer Advice

[bmrigs]

Hello fellow reefers. Im in the planning stages of a 180gallon reef that I want to build. I have narrowed down two choices for skimming. The Aqua C 180 or the ASM G3. Which one do you prefer or have experience with. Ease of use, noise, efficientcy are considerations. Thank you for your replies.

[BCool]

I only have experience with the ASM product in your comparison. I reallly have enjoyed mine. It runs well, pulled out alot of stuff, fairly quite and the biggest bang for the buck in my research.

[bmrigs]

Thanks BCool. For the price the ASM looks appealing.

[thrlride]

I love my ASM G3. My next skimmer with be the ASM G4x when I get the 180 going.

I highly recommend the gatevalve mod to finely tune the amount of skimmate you want per day.

[bmrigs]

Thrlride

What is the gate valve mod. Is there a link to show how to construct it? Should I go with the G4 like your doing on your up and coming 180.

[thrlride]

bmrigs,

the gate valve mode is simple to do. For a G3 you need a 1 1/4" plastic gate valve. I hear you can get them at ace hardware but I always ordered mine from aquaticeco.com.

This is the actual mod: http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

The G4 is different from the G4x. I can't find the stats on the G4 but it only came with the Sedra 5000 pump and the G4x comes with the 9000 series. The G4 Plus has the 9000 pump but is only 24" tall whereas the G4x is 30" tall. A taller skimmer has more contact time so it works better in most cases.

If you have the sump room and the stand height I highly recommend the G4x. It's more than the G3 but it is also capable of more.

[Evansbr]

I vote for ASM, I have used the Aqua C 180 in the past and its a good skimmer, but hard to clean out the neck in a tank stand. I am running a G4x and it is much easier to clean weekly.

[bmrigs]

Hieght wont be an issue. My stand will be 42 inches high. Or will it. Im gonna look into the G4x. Know anyplace that sells them. Thanks for the link and the replies fellas. This is an awesome site for the marine hobby.

[thrlride]

www.asmskimmer.com is the cheapest by far.

[bmrigs]

thrlride,

What is the overall footprint of your G3 with gatevalve mod so I know how large to make the skimmer side of my sump? Thanks again.

[thrlride]

I think my section is 12x14 and rather tight.

[BCool]

I actually go mine a bit cheaper at another site.

[thrlride]

What site is that?

[jony5]

i would go with the asm they rock

[bmrigs]

ASM it is. Thanks for all your help fellas. You know that this wont be the last question I will have. :-)

[BCool]

The reef stop had them cheaper.

[BCool]

238.99 and shipping was cheaper with them as well.

[jony5]

try asmproteinskimmer.com they are cheap there i think tis the cheapest