ASM G3 for 180g?

[Silencer]

I've been asking all over and everyone has a different story about this. I'm looking for opinions on whether or not an ASM G3 is powerful enough for the tank I'm setting up. It is a 180g with 125g refugium. Both are full but the actual water volume is around 210g due to sand and rocks. Bioload will be high as I plan to eventually get a Zebra Moray. I also plan to keep SPS corals so I will need clean water.

I do not think it will be enough but it is my first tank and I have never used a skimmer before so I have no reference other than what people tell me. If it isn't enough I will probably have to make my own due to cost and space issues, so if anyone wants to they are welcome to give feedback on my initial design that I have below.

The main body would be 8" diameter and 19.5" tall. The neck would be 4" diameter, 5.25" tall and enclosed within the 8" diameter by 6.25" collection cup. There would be a 1.25" clearance between the top of the neck and lid of thecollection cup. The four "layers" would give the skimmer a total height of 26.5" and it would be powered by a recirculating sedra 9000 needlewheel.

 

[andycook]

I would look at the ASM G4X for a 180. The G3 is too small. That is what I am looking at for my 180 with 160g in sumps and refugiums.

 

[Bill and Elaine]

I second andycook.......I use a G3 on my 110g ( total vol. 140g )......Before you buy an ASM you should go to the ASM skimmer thread on this site......very helpful.......I read it from beginning to end before I purchased mine......of course that was about 30 pages ago ......

Heres a link to the ASM club

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=426125&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[Silencer]

Unfortunately I cannot fit the G4 or any other retail skimmer that uses an 8" body. I have plenty of free space in my 125g refugium but in order to get anything inside must fit it through a fairly narrow 7-5/8" by 28-1/4" opening. I do like the price/perforamance of the ASM skimmers and have viewed the thread about them but I simply cannot fit anything larger than a G3 through the opening I have available.

This is why I have the main body split into 3 segments in my DIY design. The parts can fit through the gap individually and then I can assemble them inside the sump where there is room.

 

[ridetheducati]

Easy.

Get the G4x or greater. Off you go.

 

[Silencer]

Oh, I also have one other option. I could get one G3 now and then in a year or so when I get an eel add a second G3. I'm not sure how well this would work, if at all, however.

 

[andycook]

I have often considered running two skimmers - preferably two different skimmer technologies.

The problem as I see it with the 1 now and 1 later plan is using 1 G3 skimmer now will potentially allow waste/detritus/poop/proteins to accumulate in the tank. You can mitigate that with water changes, low stocking, etc but you are leaving your tank vulnerable to algae outbreaks, etc.