can i make my berlin skimmer more better!!!
- Thread starter bluesurf1
- Start date
Hopefully someone will have a good option for you, which I would like to hear also.
However, I do not think just putting a different pump on it is going to do you any good if you are already running the turbo. I have a berlin classic that I was running with a mag 7 pump on it. It was a venturi skimmer.
I say was because I purchased the turbo upgrade kit and the first thing they have you do is remove the venturi. The air inlet tube also gets moved from the water inlet tube on the skimmer to a hose bib on the turbo pump itself. This combined with the 18 blade impeller is supposed to be much more efficient and seems to be doing well in my sump for the past 2 weeks. I have noticed a pretty decent difference.
So, I am currently under the impression that the turbo is as good as it is going to get for the berlin skimmers, but am anxiously awaiting someone to prove otherwise.
However, I do not think just putting a different pump on it is going to do you any good if you are already running the turbo. I have a berlin classic that I was running with a mag 7 pump on it. It was a venturi skimmer.
I say was because I purchased the turbo upgrade kit and the first thing they have you do is remove the venturi. The air inlet tube also gets moved from the water inlet tube on the skimmer to a hose bib on the turbo pump itself. This combined with the 18 blade impeller is supposed to be much more efficient and seems to be doing well in my sump for the past 2 weeks. I have noticed a pretty decent difference.
So, I am currently under the impression that the turbo is as good as it is going to get for the berlin skimmers, but am anxiously awaiting someone to prove otherwise.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I'm gonna tag along on this one. I too am very disappointed in the performance of my berlin turbo. Just cant get it tweaked just right. Takes me over a week to get a cup of skimmate. Its either that or I get a cup of water every 20 minutes. Sheesh 
if you take the gray adjustment knob out, there 3 small slits on the bottom the the water has to squeeze through. if you file them deeper to allow more water through this will help. just file a little and put it back together and see how it works, keep doing it until you get the results you want
Found this on RC -Post from RichK back in 2001 on Red Sea Skimmers (aka Berlin skimmers I think)
"After setting up a 2nd reef, for softies, I dug out the red sea skimmer. It did "OK" but never really did great. Here is what I did to make this skimmer awesome. The only parts you will need are a 3/4" venturi valve ( www.aquaticeco.com sells them) and a couple of fittings. Depending on how you use the skimmer now, these can be hose barb or FPT/MPT fittings.
Here is what to do:
1st- remove and drain the skimmer.
2nd- unscrew the hose bard fitting on the input of the skimmer.
3rd- with the tool that came with the skimmer, or a butterknife, remove the venturi cone inside the input.
4th- screw the venturi valve into the input of the skimmer. If clearance is a problem, inset a "L" fitting into the skimmer first, then screw the venturi into that.
5th-run a piece of airline from the input of the new venturi to above water line, if necessary.
6th- with a small piece of airline tubing, block off the original air input to the skimmer.
7th- fill up the skimmer and reinstall on system and turn on the pump and check for leaks.
WARNING: there will be ALOT more air flow into the skimmer, so it may turn into a small volcano. The pump used for this should be a Mag7 or equivalent. Rio 2500s don't work although a 3100 may. If a Mag7 isn't an option for you, you can simply use a Sen pump as well. You want about 600REAL gph going through the new venturi. After doing this mod to mine, I am quite impressed. I get dark smelly skimmate. Something which I only experienced on my big ETS. I few people have done this after I told them about it and they have had the same results."
"After setting up a 2nd reef, for softies, I dug out the red sea skimmer. It did "OK" but never really did great. Here is what I did to make this skimmer awesome. The only parts you will need are a 3/4" venturi valve ( www.aquaticeco.com sells them) and a couple of fittings. Depending on how you use the skimmer now, these can be hose barb or FPT/MPT fittings.
Here is what to do:
1st- remove and drain the skimmer.
2nd- unscrew the hose bard fitting on the input of the skimmer.
3rd- with the tool that came with the skimmer, or a butterknife, remove the venturi cone inside the input.
4th- screw the venturi valve into the input of the skimmer. If clearance is a problem, inset a "L" fitting into the skimmer first, then screw the venturi into that.
5th-run a piece of airline from the input of the new venturi to above water line, if necessary.
6th- with a small piece of airline tubing, block off the original air input to the skimmer.
7th- fill up the skimmer and reinstall on system and turn on the pump and check for leaks.
WARNING: there will be ALOT more air flow into the skimmer, so it may turn into a small volcano. The pump used for this should be a Mag7 or equivalent. Rio 2500s don't work although a 3100 may. If a Mag7 isn't an option for you, you can simply use a Sen pump as well. You want about 600REAL gph going through the new venturi. After doing this mod to mine, I am quite impressed. I get dark smelly skimmate. Something which I only experienced on my big ETS. I few people have done this after I told them about it and they have had the same results."
Depending on what pump u have there is a replacement impellar available http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/redsea-skimmers.html
rm,
The only problem with the information in that thread is that the Berlin Turbo Jet Pumps no longer use a venturi and the upgrade kit states explicitly <b>(DO NOT REINSERT IGNORE IGNORE THE VENTURI CONE)</b>
rivdog,
If it is the turbo model, or if you upgrade as I did, then you already have the turbo impellar and thus the best one you can get for the skimmer right now.
I haven't had time to research whether you would be able to hook a needle wheel pump up this skimmer or not.
So far mbbuna's suggestion makes the most sense for those who are already running turbo models. I want to let bluesurf1 experiment and then hear back from him on the results before I take the plunge and start filing my notches down.
Thanks again for everyone's input.
The only problem with the information in that thread is that the Berlin Turbo Jet Pumps no longer use a venturi and the upgrade kit states explicitly <b>(DO NOT REINSERT IGNORE IGNORE THE VENTURI CONE)</b>
rivdog,
If it is the turbo model, or if you upgrade as I did, then you already have the turbo impellar and thus the best one you can get for the skimmer right now.
I haven't had time to research whether you would be able to hook a needle wheel pump up this skimmer or not.
So far mbbuna's suggestion makes the most sense for those who are already running turbo models. I want to let bluesurf1 experiment and then hear back from him on the results before I take the plunge and start filing my notches down.
Thanks again for everyone's input.
well i filed the notches down and it has made a big diff so far. I am getting a much larger water flow through it and there seems to be a lot ore air since i can keep air line fully open. Skimmate is a bit darker. It seems to hold the water/air level more consistent w/ no overflowing so far. I filed them down w/a bench grinder it is the perfect width for those teeth. I ground them down about 1/4". I also have a spare mag 7 and i might try rm's idea sounds good. That seems to be the biggest prob is lack of air.
The pump I have must be a turbo since i have the 18 blade, and no venturi.
Rm I did not see a venturi valve on that site, can you tell me what heading it is under. Thanks so much for all the suggestions, Brad
The pump I have must be a turbo since i have the 18 blade, and no venturi.
Rm I did not see a venturi valve on that site, can you tell me what heading it is under. Thanks so much for all the suggestions, Brad
Try searching this with google. This is the original thread from RichK on reefcentral.
In the google search window type the following:
ATTN: Red Sea skimmer users site:www.reefcentral.com
Hope this helps
In the google search window type the following:
ATTN: Red Sea skimmer users site:www.reefcentral.com
Hope this helps
Its been a few days now and it's been running very stable. Making about double the norm. No overflows just consistent output, even seems a little darker. Right now I have the airline choked to about half. I'm pretty satisfied. a little over an inch of skimmate for 2-3 days of skimming. I only have 4 fish w about 200 gal of water.
Thanks again bluesurf1.
Now I have no choice but to try it. I came home tonight to a mad wife because the skimmer overflowed the gallon jug I had it set for in case of an emergency. So, right now the skimmer is off and I have to figure out what to do to fix it and convince my wife that it will be safe to turn it on again.
What a PITA, it may be time for me to invest in a different skimmer although she doesn't trust them at all right now. I had the same problem with the Prism I used before getting the Berlin.
Now I have no choice but to try it. I came home tonight to a mad wife because the skimmer overflowed the gallon jug I had it set for in case of an emergency. So, right now the skimmer is off and I have to figure out what to do to fix it and convince my wife that it will be safe to turn it on again.
What a PITA, it may be time for me to invest in a different skimmer although she doesn't trust them at all right now. I had the same problem with the Prism I used before getting the Berlin.
spence15610
New member
A needlewheel pump such as the sedra or ocean runner will give you smaller & more condensed bubbles than the berlin turbo pump will, thus better skimmate production
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