Skimmer help for 90g BB

[King-Kong]

Originally Posted by REEF-DADDY

Do this call Andy at MRC, it will be time well spent for you. The plumbing is really very easy, but ask Andy what your options are. You can even run these things in a little water. Good Luck Steve

I sent him a lengthy email earlier this morning containing pics of my setup and asking for the very same thing; I eagerly await their response.

[drsyme]

Originally Posted by King-Kong

I sent him a lengthy email earlier this morning containing pics of my setup and asking for the very same thing; I eagerly await their response.

What did you ever do with this?

I have not been able to get much success with my MR2, how did you plumb it? I will start another thread with pics of my plumbing, that doesnt work.

[King-Kong]

I never got a response, actually.

But unrelated to that lack of response, I did not purchase the skimmer. Instead, I increased the flow in my tank from aprox 4000gph to 5500gph. I also began to skim very wet (tea) with my ASM G-2.

The increased flow kept things in suspension longer and my skimmer production went through the roof! A long with that any nuissance algae's have all dissapeared or stopping growing all together (still have some bubbles which are stationary.. and growing corraline on them!).

I actually re-increased my flow just a few days ago by purchasing a vortech powerhead. It replaced 1 Seio 1500 and 1 Seio 1100, so I have added over 500gph to the tank. I am now at around 69x turnover, and again, skimmer production is really kicking butt.

I have still not ruled out getting a new/bigger skimmer, but as of right now, I have no short term plans in purchasing one.

[Viv]

How do you like that Vortech? I just recently saw that on-line. It's got the motor outside the glass, right? How is the flow? Can you describe it...

[King-Kong]

It's crazy

I mean, outside of the obvious attributes listed on the web site (http://www.ecotechmarine.com/products/vortech.htm) one thing I've been most impressed by it is the spread of the stream.

The largest powerheads I have are 2 Seio 1500(gph) and they make a pretty nice flow pattern -- or so I thought. The width of the vortech stream is INCREDIBLE. It negates the need to "aim" it, because the stream is so wide and tall that the current gets everywhere.

Also, the wet-side cage around the propeller is well made and easier on snails! My Seio 1100 and 1500 always ate snails, but this Vortech has large enough gaps that the flow doesnt jam a snail in. They can still escape. It replaced a Seio 1500 and a Seio 1100, and as expected it creates more flow than the two of them combined.

I will probably be buying another in the future to replace my second set of Seios, but I am going to wait until they work more of the kinks out and get the more recent production changes out to vendors (shipping now).

Also, the customer service is incredible. I posted in their forum/topic last night, and at 10pm got a reply. Due to some odd irregularities they are shipping me out fixed parts, free of charge. They realize that this is a very expensive product, and a very new product. In return, they are oferring the best service i've seen -- they know how important it is to not lose a customer, as once theyre gone, they tend to not return.

[Reefyone]

Is ASM G-2 insufficient for a 90g tanks with medium-high bioload, or it needs high flow to produce quality/quantity skimmate? Will ASM G-4 overskim 90g, what do you think?
Very informative thread.

[King-Kong]

I would go as large and as strong as you can. I do not beleive you can overskim. Just watch your salinity because of all the salt water you're removing and replace accordingly -- I'd check every couple weeks.

The stronger skimming should allow you to have more fish and feed more often which will in turn benefit the corals with a fresh supply of food, without all of the negatives associated with food in our tanks.

[REEF-DADDY]

Originally Posted by Reefyone

Is ASM G-2 insufficient for a 90g tanks with medium-high bioload, or it needs high flow to produce quality/quantity skimmate? Will ASM G-4 overskim 90g, what do you think?
Very informative thread.

I set up a 90 with an ASM G-3 for my father. It really does a great job, he never even cleans the glass. His bio load is on the high side with a few tangs, trigger, and a bunch of smaller fish. I've never been a fan of the G4 however, its underpowered. The G4 plus would be a better choice. That being said the IME G3 is really about perfect for you.

[Reefyone]

What is wrong with G4, what is underpowered, skimmer body or a pump? Particularly ASM G-4X with Sedra 9000? Will one outflow box able to handle water supply for a such skimmer?
Thanks.

[REEF-DADDY]

There are 3 G4’s


G4 8x24 Sedra 5000
G4 plus 8x24 Sedra 9000
G4X 8x30 Sedra 9000
The G4 plus and G4X are fine with the Sedra 9000. The Sedra 5000 is just not enough pump for the regular G4. Ever wonder why ASM came out with the plus? I’ve owned a couple G3’s and they use the 5000 as well @ 6.5x25 and IME that skimmer pushes the max for that pump. Figure is a 500gph pump with air your looking at about 300gph of actual water.

[three90s&125sump]

Originally Posted by REEF-DADDY

Some people tweak them and get them to skim wet for a NW but they just can't touch the wet skimming abilty of a Beckett. I can pull out half a gallon of skimmate per day or I can pull out 5 with a twist of a knob.

I am not knocking any skimmer (especially MRC) but I can do that with my ASM. It will skim as wet as I want it to. It is hard to compare anything unless it is on the same tank. Everyone has differant disovled organics in their water. I am skimming and have been skimming nearly water clear skimmate out of my system. I don't think I have any disolved organics in my water. If I turn my skimmer down to where it is at the bottom of the collet, I barely get any skimmate and it is still lighter than tea.