ASM G3 setup help

[Radicaljbr]

I am having trouble setting up my new G3. The directions said it was important to start the skimmer out with the drain tube lifted to the same level as the bottom of the collection cup. If I do this it fills within 5 minutes or less.

Where do you want the top of the foam to form. Mid way up the collection tube?

I cannot seem to get this thing right. Either way too much liquid or nothing. Am I looking for a dry kind of foam which my old Berlin had?

Mine is not producing dark stuff but rather very clear light green liquid. And way too much or as I said before, nothing at all.

I know there is some place in between, but again, where do you want the top of the foam to be?

Thanks all!!

:confused:

[MJAnderson]

It takes a while to break in so I wouldn't worry about it too much if it's new. Did you clean it?

The water/bubble level should be about 1/2 way up the sloping part of the cone before it hits the neck of the collection cup. 1/2 way up gives me very dry skimmate. Moving it about 3/4 of the way up gives it a little wetter and thats where I leave it, but I have a very light bio-load.

Do yourself a favor and do the gate valve mod. Makes it easier to adjust. If you're on the west side, I'd be happy to help.

[Radicaljbr]

I am on the East side.

Is the mod a kit or is it something I can get a blue print for and do myself?

I think I must have my bubbles too high then. Like I said, the one page sheet that came with, said to raise the tube all the way up. I wish it had more info. I will lower it down like you have and see what happens.

Yes it is new. Well sort of. I bought it 6 months, but only installed it last night. I only rinsed it out and used no cleaners.

Thanks

[MJAnderson]

The gate valve mod doesn't make it more efficient, just makes it easier to adjust and lets you keep your hands dry. This is what you need, all of which you can get at HD/Lowes except for the gate valve. Can try Savko.com for that.

http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

Not sure why it says to raise it all the way to the top. I ran it like that in my bathtub for 24 hours then stuck it in my sump and monkeyed with the bubble level within the range I mentioned.

Here is mine before the mod.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/126126Muffler.jpg

The extra piece at the end of the tube is a DIY muffler to quiet it down.

[Radicaljbr]

I just want to make sure we are talking about the same thing.

You said to put your water/bubble level half way up the cone.

Are you talking about the exit tube on the outside of the skimmer? I was refering to the foam/bubble level on the inside of the skimmer.

Are we talking about the same thing?

Sorry if I am not understanding.

I have the exit tube even with the bottom of the cone on the skimmer and the foam inside the skimmer is level with the top part of the cone. (this is after I changed it today)

[hlama]

inside the skimmer i keep my water level right at the collection cup. i have the gate valve which makes thing soo so so so much easier.

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8315422#post8315422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hlama
inside the skimmer i keep my water level right at the collection cup. i have the gate valve which makes thing soo so so so much easier.

At the bottom or top of the cup

Thanks for your help!:)

[hlama]

where the cup connects to the rest of the skimmer. not the top top part (the lid to collect cup) but the next connect down. the one you use to dump it. basically the bottom of the cup itself.

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8316772#post8316772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hlama
where the cup connects to the rest of the skimmer. not the top top part (the lid to collect cup) but the next connect down. the one you use to dump it. basically the bottom of the cup itself.

Got it

Thank you so much

[MJAnderson]

Sorry for the bad description. There is the body that connects to the cone (the first grey seal from the bottom). the cone connects to the cup (2nd grey seal from the bottom). I keep mine between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way up the cone. For me keeping it at the point where the cup and cone meet gives very wet skimmate that I need to change every other day. Moving it down gives so good dark stinky stuff. I change it twice a week.

[Anemonebuff]

I have the GV mod on mine, but I ran mine at it's lowest point and gradually raised it(about 1"-2" a day) until the bubbles were about an inch from the top of the neck inside the cup. It was skimming pretty well after about 3 or 4 days. However, I had some volcanic overflows before it stabled out. After about a month it was running flawlessly.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6127/img01382ni.jpg

[Radicaljbr]

Another point I should state is that I did a complete 100% water change at the same time I installed.

This might be why I am seeing NO dark stuff.

I will keep playing with it. Right now I have my foam/water level inside at about half way up the colletcion cup and the exit tube is lifted to about 1/2 the way up the cone.

Nothing is being produced.

[Anemonebuff]

Be patient, it will skim....it will skim.

[miztic]

My G2 goes crazy right after a water change, its like there's something in the fresh salt mix... i usually leave the pumps run for a half hour before turning my skimmer back on..

(not sure if it matters since this is a G3 thread and i'm using a G2, but i have my pipe pretty much as high as it will go, it skims pretty wet that way)

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks guys

I will give it a week and see what happens