Euro-reef or Asm?

[vidrine7322]

Which do you think would work better for my moderately stocked 40g breeder, I keep only sps and ricordia, very little fish. I've been looking at the new extruded acrylic Euro-Reef rs80 or an ASM g3 with the impeller mod and maybe gate valve mod. Which do you think will skim more efficently and produce more skimmate per day?

 

[ERICinFL]

My ER kicks butt. My buddy has an ASM and it seems to work very well too. How much have you got to spend? I'd say with a litely stocked tank, either or.

 

[bkbailes07]

i would have to go with euro reef, especially since they have upgraded their pumps.

 

[andyjd]

Not tried an ER but am happy with my ASM

 

[drock59]

ER

 

[snslarison]

ASM

 

[RichConley]

TO be fair, that ASM is a much larger skimmer than the ER we're talking about, and I dont think the ER would be able to keep up.


The problem is, the ERs are much nicer now than the ASMs, and the prices aren't that different. ASM hasnt changed their product, and has significantly increased their prices, whereas ER has mde their product much better, and decreased their prices. I dont think anyone should be buying an ASM right now.


That being said, all commercial skimmers are generally well below their potential, so if you're willign to do a tiny bit of work, I'd reccomend going with the cheapest one you can find with a good, big body. Its so easy to get pumps to pull significantly more air, that I dont think its worth spending the $200+ that ER wants for their pumps, or the $100 they want for their impellars.

Thats why I'd suggest a Reef Octopus NW150, and then put a meshwheel impellar on it. It'll be much cheaper than the other two options, and outskim both of them by a wide margin. Its also cast acrylic, which neither of the other options can claim.

 

[drock59]

RichConley, well said. A year ago maybe i would have said ASM but ER has done some good things.

Also, for those of us that dont want to mod our skimmers, wouldnt you say between the two, ER is the way to go? I know the older I get the less I like to do my own mods. I want to buy something that will work well out of the box.

 

[RichConley]

I wouldnt say any of them work well right out of the box, but then again, I'm a tweaker, and I know what you CAN get out of these things....

An ASM G3 will typically run you around $300. It is made of extruded PVC, leaks, and draws not all that much air. It has a 6.5" chamber, and is 25" tall.


A ER RS135 will also run you $300. It has a 6" body, and is 24" tall. It will pull literally twice the air the ASM will pull, and is significantly better made.

That being said, if you're gonna spend $300 on a skimmer, wait a month or two and buy an ATI bubble master. It'll smoke the two of them, and cost you around $300 IIRC.

 

[drock59]

ATI bubble master

more info please.

 

[Jim_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8785126#post8785126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drock59
more info please.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=976704

Here ya go.

 

[rockindacheeks]

I like them both. if you have the extra cash get the ER. they are a nice skimmer. if you are on a budget get an ASM. both skim very well.

 

[ridetheducati]

Compared to a Red Sea Berlin skimmer, the stock ASM skims well. Compared to an ER, the ASM skims like crap.

A stock ASM will give you a serious case of buyers remorse. I GUARANTEEEEE.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8785331#post8785331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rockindacheeks
I like them both. if you have the extra cash get the ER. they are a nice skimmer. if you are on a budget get an ASM. both skim very well.

THe ASM doesnt skim anything near well stock. Seriously, a Reef octopus will outskim an ASM by a large margin, and theyre half the price. The ASM literally pulls less than half the air the equivalent ER does. Theyre junk.

Nobody should be buying ASM right now. THeres a reason ASMskimmer stopped selling them,

 

[Maximo]

Hi Rich,

Why do you say wait a month or two to buy the bubble master?

Thanks,

-M

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That RS80 for 178 bux was too good to pass up. It is keeping up with my 105 tank but I am not heavily stocket yet.

 

[ridetheducati]

I did not want to totally bash the ASM; because some one reading this thread may have or will purchase an ASM. No sense in making them feel bad.

An undersized skimmer will always keep up with a tank. Here is a challenge, try keeping the skimmer ahead of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Not to worry, I have a second skimmer

I plan on running an HOB too. Just having fun seeing what happens, so far 0 trates.

 

[BryanJ]

Grim do you have a sump as well or just the hang on fuges? Do you feel the euro is doing a good job even though it is supposedly undersized?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Have a sump too. The Euro is doing great so far.