ASM skimmer noise driving me nuts

[fixed]

I'm about to ditch the entire tank unless I can get a skimmer that's quieter. I have a 150 with a Megaflow sump, using an ASM G3 skimmer in the sump. The pump for it is loud, and the air sucking noise at the air intake hose can be heard throughout the whole house. Plus, it's darn hard to keep this thing adjusted. Seems like it's either doing nothing or the skimmer cup is overflowing with water. Even dropping a little food in the tank throws it off. The main gripe is the noise, though. It's one of those aggravating noises that feels like there is total peace and quiet the moment it's shut off. Hate that air sucking noise.
There must be a better skimmer -- quiet and reliable? Any ideas? The noise is just too much. Thanks.

 

[ronald_j]

I just recently purchased a ASM-3 and have heard nothing but great things about the skimmer. Mine is still sitting in the box in the fishroom until I set up the tank, hopefully this weekend. I think you made the right choice in choosing ASM and with a little adjusting and fine tuning the noise will go away. Can you help me a question I have about the ASM-3.............How much force does the water have leaving the riser tube??? A picture of the skimmer working would be fantastic.

 

[rhomer]

Originally Posted by Fixed
I'm about to ditch the entire tank unless I can get a skimmer that's quieter. I have a 150 with a Megaflow sump, using an ASM G3 skimmer in the sump. The pump for it is loud, and the air sucking noise at the air intake hose can be heard throughout the whole house. Plus, it's darn hard to keep this thing adjusted. Seems like it's either doing nothing or the skimmer cup is overflowing with water. Even dropping a little food in the tank throws it off. The main gripe is the noise, though. It's one of those aggravating noises that feels like there is total peace and quiet the moment it's shut off. Hate that air sucking noise.
There must be a better skimmer -- quiet and reliable? Any ideas? The noise is just too much. Thanks.
I've read that rarely their are problems with the pump. There is a good forum that discusses nothing but asm skimmers. Try asm skimmer dot com and you should be able to get all the assistance you need to resolve this.
BTW I have a G2 and can't hear it with the stand open and my ear to the skimmmer.
Rob

 

[fixed]

Originally Posted by ronald_j
I just recently purchased a ASM-3 and have heard nothing but great things about the skimmer. Mine is still sitting in the box in the fishroom until I set up the tank, hopefully this weekend. I think you made the right choice in choosing ASM and with a little adjusting and fine tuning the noise will go away. Can you help me a question I have about the ASM-3.............How much force does the water have leaving the riser tube??? A picture of the skimmer working would be fantastic.
Around 1 a.m. I had an idea. I located a 10 inch long new airstone and stuck it on the air intake tube. Took care of about 90 percent of the air sucky noise, and doesn't seem to have affected the performance.
Still sort of loud, but that sound was the worst. A mechanical whir is better than a sound like someone obnoxiously slurping the last bit of soda from a glass with a straw.
There is very little force coming from the skimmer overflow, but tons of volume. With the foam cover in place, it's pretty quiet. I did the output gate valve modification, and it works even better. I just bought the stuff for about $15 in parts at the local hardware store and put it together in about 10 minutes. The solution is much better.
I still would prefer something more quiet, though. I'll see if I can take some pix tonight.