Red sea berlin XL skimmer problem

[Julius]

I just got a red sea berlin xl skimmer from a garage sale . I have no instructions. My problem is that water is coming out of the venturi air hose inlet. Im using the largest aqualclear powerhead. I think it pumps 400 gal / hr. Why t is water coming out of the venturi? Do i need a bigger pump.

 

[ChrisRD]

If water is coming out of the venturi it sounds like something is restricting the output of the pump or skimmer. Also, not sure that powerhead will be big enough to get the best performance out of that skimmer.

I'll move this to the main discussion forum so maybe someone who's got experience with that skimmer will notice your thread and can chime in...

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Water should only come out the venturi if it is installed backwards. I put a Kent venturi on backwards and it made no bubbles and shot water out the venturi. After turning it around it stopped.

 

[Rob Top]

I used a mag 7 on that skimmer and it was great.

 

[Rikko]

I would definitely replace the pump - powerheads by and large are weak and not well suited for skimmers like the Berlin. Most skimmer like that seem to perform better with a pump that can provide thrust with a fair bit of backpressure. Like Rob said - maybe look into a Mag drive pump or something in that class.

Where is the venturi situated? I have a feeling you're using the venturi hole on the output of the Aquaclear powerhead - those are useless in practice. With any tiny amount of backpressure (eg. the output isn't just going straight into the water column), the venturi effect is lost... Because Hagen didn't actually design it to have a true venturi.
Ideally the venturi line will be connected to the pump's input - not on the output.
If I'm making the wrong assumption, disregard what I just said.

I saw a link to the Berlin skimmer manual in PDF form on customaquatic.com but wasn't able to access it - even Google's cached version was slow for me. Maybe tomorrow try punching in "red sea berlin skimmer manual" (minus the quotes) into google and it's on the first page of results.

 

[Julius]

Well, there is a need to change the way im doing this. From reading other topics I have 2 optons:
Get a bigger pump and install a better venturi valve such as Kent marine venturi valve.

Or forget about the venturi valve and get a needle wheel type pump. Sound good?

 

[LA-Lawman]

why not try an oceanrunner.... then put needlewheel on it to see if you get better performance.... if you dont. use the venturi with the oceanrunner....

if they use them on turbofloters.. why not a red sea

 

[Anonymous]

I would try a Sedra or an Oceanrunner. Needle Wheels are better than a regular venturi IMO.

 

[FragMaster]

What about size factor? A sis the over all size of the skimmer reaction chamber.
a needle wheel produces MASSIVE quantities of bulles, wont it be to much for the skimmer to handle?
Just curious as I may try this with my venturi skimmer if it works.
as you may be able to tell I am not very proficient with skimmer design and new skimmer techy stuff.

 

[Julius]

I suppose if the needle wheel made too many bubbles I could tweak the flow down a bit. I like the idea of needle wheel, I think it would do a better job than venturi.

 

[FragMaster]

OMG I am so glad every one is used to my bad typing by now! LOL!!!

 

[LA-Lawman]

i think that berlin has that triple chamber jobber... I would get a small sedra or the small oceanrunner.

you can get the sedra from asmskimmer.com

 

[Julius]

I think I will need the Ocean runner 2700 . Where is a good palcve to buy one from? If anyone thinks i need a Ocean runner 3700 please advise.

 

[Julius]

I found a Ocean runnner 2700 for 59.99 at Reefer madness. I think that s the best price. ya?

 

[FragMaster]

$49.99
http://www.justphish.com/product_info.p ... 29cfe50ae1

 

[Julius]

Nice price! Liek the OP said- It is amazing a german made pump is so cheap

 

[Anonymous]

What about size factor? A sis the over all size of the skimmer reaction chamber.
a needle wheel produces MASSIVE quantities of bulles, wont it be to much for the skimmer to handle?
Just curious as I may try this with my venturi skimmer if it works.
as you may be able to tell I am not very proficient with skimmer design and new skimmer techy stuff.

You will need to "guesstimate" the GPH that the the original pump used minus the drag for the air induction. Then get the needlewheel closest to it. A Sedra 5000 would probably be Okay on a Berlin XL.


However, if you have the cash I do suggest getting an ASM, Euroreef, or Deltec skimmer.