ASM G-3 Skimmer Recirc Mod

Regarding the micro bubbles, the answer is yes. There are some bubbles that come out of the skimmer, but they are exhausted quickly in the sump. However, that has nothing to do with a bubble cup. It is the recirc mod using the entire skimmer body and the gate valve mod that exits water without it spilling over the stock pipe/foam that allows some bubbles to exit the skimmer.

That said, I do not get any micro bubbles exiting my sump.

IMO a bubble cup's true value is that it reduces the lateral turbulence inside the skimmer and directs the bubbles more straight up the skimmer. There is information available (mostly from manufacturers) that says lateral/side to side turbulence inside the skimmer body that causes a collision of the bubbles with each other and the sides of the skimmer body reduces the efficiency of the bubbles to carry waste to the cup. Therefore, a cup that contains the turbulence from the introduction of the air/water from venturi will allow a more unencumbered vertical direction of the micro bubbles inside the skimmer body.

I've never seen any side to side evidence that indicates any numerical percentage of increase in efficiency, but theoretically it makes sense.

The extent to which a bubble cup would prevent bubbles from exiting the skimmer is something I just can't tell you as I have never put a bubble cup in. If I had micro bubbles returning to my display tank, I might put one in to see if it helped.

It would be very easy to glue a section of PVC or acrylic pipe in the bottom of an ASM body and plumb the air/water from the venturi into the cup. You would also want to use a section of 1/2" PVC to run the intake water down toward the bottom as well (or at least put the intake lower so you reduce the turbulence above the bubble cup.

The reality is I don't know that it's necessary. In my case, I'm VERY pleased with the performance of the skimmer as I have it set up. If I had to put a number on it, I think the recirc mod alone increases the ASM G3's performance by about 160%.

Either way, I'm glad this thread has helped you.
 
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I want to learn how to do it on the G5 model, is it same to place it outside the sump if it's recircuilating?
 
Yes, you can do the recirc mod on a G5. If you would be using both of the Sedra 9000 pumps as recirculation pumps, you would then need to add a third pump for the intake pump or plumb your overflow to feed your skimmer.

You would line the two Sedra 9000's up as I have my Sedra 5000 in the pictures above. You would just have one on each side. The G-3 and G-5 have the same venturi size (1") per the ASM specs. For reference, I run my intake at approximately 1.5 times the water volume of my system.

An interesting option you might consider would be to use one of the Sedra 9000 pumps as the recirc pump with the modification and replace the other Sedra 9000 pump with a Sedra 15000 and use it in the stock position as the intake pump. That should put you close to the same intake volume and give you the benefit of a recirculating skimmer.

Good luck.
 
That's interesting idea, I will most likely start working on it in a week or two. Keep u posted. Thanks for the info
 
I can assume that it would work the same for a G2 as well? I've done the gate valve (before the skimmer even got wet), and it does a pretty good job, but a simple mod like that looks like a great idea. Just don't want to make it worse!
 
You said you get some micro bubbles from the output, but is it a lot? I have the gate valve mod currently and get minimal bubbles now so i would be concerned there would be a lot. Great write up anyway!
 
Yes, you can do this with a G2. The G2 uses the Sedra 3500, which has a 3/4" bulkhead rather than a 1". Other the different cutout and bulkhead sizes, it's the same to do it.

No, the bubbles are the same as after the gate valve mod with the stock pinwheel. Nothing gets into the display tank.
 
Great write up! After seeing how you did this to your 3G, now i'm considering doing it to mine! just a q's. I'm not sure weather to use a separate pump or plumb it to my return. if I plumb it to my return, will I still be able to use the gate valve to control the level of water in the skimmer? my main concern would be too little or too much flow without the ability to control it and flooding the collection cup of the skimmer.
 
Plumbing it to your return is really a personal choice. Generally, I am not a fan of plumbing to a return as you lose control over the amount of turnover in the skimmer. If you are using a pump and want to increase or decrease the amount of turnover in the skimmer, you simply swap out a MaxiJet pump for $15-$30 and you're done. Also, minor variations in water levels can change the amount of flow through a return, which can result in having to make regular adjustments to the gate valve. Depending on the swing in amount of flow, it can flood the collection cup.

I prefer to set it and forget it, which you can do more consistently with a pump. That said, I understand the desire to plumb to the return on multiple levels.

Good luck with however you decide to go.
 
Thanks John. I'm gonna plumb it through my return with a tee and then hook up a ball valve so I can control the amount of water going to it. I think this should work.
 
I really like this idea. I do not have a G series skimmer... instead it's a Warner Marine. It does use the Sedra 9000 pump, however, as the lone pump. Did you post directions on how to mod the needle wheel for mesh? I have not given it much though as I had read it was not really an improvement on performance. But if I can take a look at how it's done, I can determine whether or not I want to do it.

I noticed that the G3 skimmer does not have a bubble diffuser plate. Is this what you were referring to as a bubble cup? I know my skimmer has the diffuser plate and I don't think it can be removed. So I'm wondering if I might be able to perform a similar mod.

I don't know anyone else that has a Warner Marine skimmer (non-cone) and may therefore have knowledge of possible mods. Perhaps someone on this thread does? I despise when I have overflows in the skimmate collection cup and it sounds like such a mod as described here would make this a non-issue. Combine that with the improved performance and I am on board. I'm glad I found this thread!

One last question... it looks like you used the old pump INPUT as the new recirc OUTPUT going into the recirc pump. The new INPUT was the larger of the two holes you drilled. And the skimmer feed hole is the smaller of the two. I just want to be sure I have this correct.
 
You should be able to run a search for the mesh mod. It's very, very simple.

The bubble diffuser and bubble cup perform the same function; to allow the turbulence in the bubbles to subside so the ymostly go straight up, thereby taking as much waste straight up to the collection cup. You can do something as simple as gluing a small section of 3-4" diameter PVC pipe at the bottom of the skimmer chamber to direct the bubbles in a more upward direction.

The intake on the Sedra Pump become the recirc intake and the output on the Sedra pump becomes the recirc output to the skimmer chamber. They are the same size pipe/hole. The intake to the skimmer from the MaxiJet pump uses 1/2" tubing.

Hope that helps.
 
The gate valve mod adds a PVC gate valve and PVC piping that fits in the outflow pipe on the ASM skimmers. It allows more precise control and also allows for the outflow to be directed into the sump for less water noise. For an ASM 3, you need:

One 1" PVC "T" fitting
One 1" PVC 90 degree fitting
One 1" PVC Gate valve
Three 6-8" sections of 1" PVC pipe
Two 2-4" sections of 1" PVC pipe

You attach two of the sections of 6-8" sections of PVC pile to the "T" fitting so they are in a straight line. This piece replaces the outflow of the ASM skimmer.

Attach the two pieces of 2-4" PVC pipe to the in/out of the Gate valve.

Attach the Gate valve to the open end of the "T" fitting so that it is perpendicular to the vertical outflow of the ASM skimmer.

Put the 90 degree fitting on the outflow of the Gate valve.

Put the last section of PVC pipe so it returns the outflow water downward into the sump. Be sure to cut it off so there is at least a 1/2" between the sump water level and the end of the pipe so there is no back pressure created by changing sump levels.

See the picture of the ASM skimmer in my sump on the first page of this thread to get a better visual.

It's most simple of the mods and gives you infinitely better control IMO.

Good luck.
 
A few more questions for my own clarity... did you consider using a uniseal for the feed pump input? It seems like it would be easier and require fewer steps/parts. The same could be done for the recirc return line into the skimmer body I assume. And, for the feed input, does it simply elbow upon insertion to the skimmer body and that's it? I assume so as it's just supplying water but it doesn't really matter where it goes after that. That said, I suppose you could put the feed inlet anywhere on the skimmer body, correct?
 
here is an update from me. I did the recirculating mod as well as the mesh mod. I had done the gate valve a while ago. I plumbed it using the drain from my tank, and you were right John; the flow is not constant at all and I was not able to get the right control on the skimmer even with the ball valve . I should have listened to your advise before I changed all the plumbing under my tank which was a big pain in the #$@*. so I'm going to be using a pump to feed the skimmer. I have a Aquaclear 50 which I can use. do you think it would be good enough? I think it moves about 270g/h. or do I need something with a little more flow?
 
Sorry to hear it didn't work out. I

use a MaxiJet 1200 on my ASM G3 for my 200g system. It works great and the MaxiJets just cost next to nothing. As long as you're in that 300gph range you should be fine.
 
John, funny to see an old topic and it still grabs attention. I was never really one for using the ASMs stock, as they are nothing impressive but with the modifications that you mentioned, the skimmer really is a different "animal". Nice job of making it quick and simple for people to see!
 
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