Skimmer mods!

[dustint21]

Ok I just got a new skimmer and I would like to do some of the mods I have seen on the other forums! The skimmer is a ASM G1X I think. From what I have seen the ASM G1 comes with a G500 pump and the G1X comes with a sedra 3500! Mine has a sedra 2500, so I guess its not really a G1X. Anyway I want to do the recir. mod, mesh mod, and I would like to add a drain to the cup for external waste container. I ordered the mesh for www.meshmod.net (http://www.meshmod.net). I havent got it yet! I have started getting the parts for the rest of the mods also. Has anyone done these? Im looking for pics and advise! I will post pics of mine when it is done!

Thanks
Dustin

[dustint21]

Ok here are some pics of what I am working with! I plan to use a Rio 1100 to feed the skimmer. I would like to covert the rio into a needle wheel pump to help make more bubbles in the skimmer chamber! LMK what you all think!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/dustint21/DSCI0069.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/dustint21/DSCI0071.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/dustint21/DSCI0072.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/dustint21/DSCI0073.jpg

[SoLiD]

I believe "Mesh Mods" are meant for Needle Wheel Pumps. Is that what you have? I would like to know if you see a noticeable difference in bubbles and waste production.

-David

[DrMark]

The correct link is:

www.meshmod.net (http://www.meshmod.net)

[dustint21]

I will update after the mods! Sorry about the link I fixed it! The sedra 2500 is a needle wheel, but the rio is not so I need to find the needle wheel upgrade for the rio!

[dustint21]

Anyone know where to get Uniseals? I would like to find them local!

[LoneStar]

Anyone know where to get Uniseals? I would like to find them local!

Not sure of any place that stocks them locally, but here is a good online vendor:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/829/Uniseals

[caferacermike]

I'm super confused here. Not sure if anyone else is as well. Why 2 pumps? Are you planning to test both of them? If you are building this into a recirculating skimmer I don't think it was that clear. If you are going to build it into recirc, your feed pump should not be modded.

[dustint21]

Mike this is why Im here! LOL Im not sure on how this all works! I plan to use the Rio 1100 to feed the skimmer! So you are saying dont use a needle wheel for the pump that is feeding the skimmer? I was thinking the more bubbles the better! Could you please explain why I shouldnt do it! Thanks in advance!

[dustint21]

Lonestar thanks for the link! I just wanted to get it plumbed up today! I guess I will have to wait!

[caferacermike]

Most folks wouldn't add another pump to feed it. The general methods are to tee off from your tanks suction side, this way some of the water goes directly to the skimmer, or tee it from the tanks return pump. It's along the lines of not adding so many devices to the tank as to make it over complicated or that extra pumps add extra heat. If it was me, I'd increase the size of my return pump (if needed) rather than add yet another pump to my sump. Think of the extra maintenance, extra cords (as if there were not enough already), heat, etc... Not to mention that I wouldn't add a Rio brand pump to anything due to the problems they seem to have.

As to why I wouldn't mod the inlet pump, mainly because I don't think I've ever heard of anyone modding both. I'd be concerned that you might not push much water into the skimmer if you modded it to much. If I was not making it into a recirc skimmer I'd consider doing it if it was the only pump. If it quit pumping water into the skimmer, at least I could still make it a recirc and use the pump for that. Might want to try the mods one at a time. If you build it into a recirc with a modded pump, you might find that it works so well you won't want to mod the inlet pump.

[dustint21]

Thanks Mike! I will not mod the feeder pump! As for using a T off of my return, I am only running a mag 7 and it matches my overflow prefectly! I have ball valves on both my return and overflow and the ball valves are both wide open! I dont have much of an income, cause I am only an E3 in the army! The rio is an extra pump I had laying around! I have been running a coralife SS65 with a rio 1100 for over a year with no problems! I know they arent the best, but you use what you got when your trying to feed the family and your reefing hobby! LOL! Thanks so much for your help!

[dustint21]

I got the mesh in the mail today! I cut up my needle wheel and slapped the mesh on with the zip ties! This is really worth the $7 and 10 mins it took to do it! The bubbles seem to be "finer" and make a nice foam at the neck of my skimmer! I will still try the recir. mod just cause I can! LOL! I will try to get some picks up tonight!