Red Sea Berlin Turbo Hang On Skimmer - Good?

Myka · 10/25/2006, 10:19 PM

I'm looking to trade my UV sterilizer for a skimmer, hoping to get a AquaC Remora HOB in trade or would settle for the Red Sea Prizm. I was offered the Red Sea Berlin Turbo Hang On in trade, but I know nothing about it. Any comments on this skimmer?

A Maxi-Jet 1200 blows the sand around in my 33g, so would the skimmer be too powerful for my 33g?

bertoni · 10/25/2006, 11:05 PM

That skimmer hasn't gotten the greatest reviews, but there is no objective data on skimmer performance, so there's a lot guessing going on. I'd probably go for a CoraLife in that price range.

The skimmer won't be pumping all that much water since it's injecting air.

RandyK37922 · 10/26/2006, 12:57 AM

I have a Berlin Red Sea Turbo that I am actually pretty happy with. Nice nasty smelly skimmate, big easy to clean collection cup and easy to adjust. I have only had it operating for about six months though, so I can't speak for the long term.

Myka · 10/26/2006, 08:08 PM

I thought the AquaC Remora was pretty much the best you can get for CAD$200?

bertoni · 10/26/2006, 10:19 PM

There's no objective data on skimmers, so one person's best is another person's worst.

Myka · 10/26/2006, 11:52 PM

Hahaha, well that's always true, but I thought that in a poll the Remora generally got more votes...? I just don't have a lot of spare cash sitting around (student loans) so I need to make sure I get a good, reliable, suitable skimmer for my tank. I don't know...I'm lost!!!

bertoni · 10/27/2006, 12:17 PM

I think you'll probably be happy enough with a Remora or a CoraLife. There's no point in worrying too much, since no one really knows which works better in any given situation.

Myka · 10/27/2006, 07:45 PM

I haven't looked at the CoraLife skimmers. I haven't had anyone offer their Remora yet, so I'm thinking I won't be able to trade for one. Maybe I should just get this Red Sea Berlin Turbo hang on and quit worrying about it. It would most likely be better than a Red Sea Prizm right?

SWSaltwater · 10/27/2006, 10:05 PM

I have had both brands of skimmers(RS and Ramora). They both work but the Red Sea can be a bit hard to keep adjusted long term, and will comonly overskim then overflow. I have the most customer complaints from the RS skimmer and no longer order them for novice customers. The Ramora Mag 3 model is the best I have had as a hang on, no adjusting, it just works but is a bit more expensive. Also has a surface skimmer but that can be way more bulky then the RS surface skimmer kit. I never recommend the coral life skimmer, its just does not work well IMO. Some skim nice but as far as I can tell all will produce micro bubbles when used as a hang on. They are not consistent.

If you are ok with keeping up on the RS adjustments then its worth the price savings. But if you want a skimmer that you wont have to monkey with go Ramora.

Rob

Myka · 10/28/2006, 12:27 AM

Thanks for your input Rob! That's the kind of comments I was looking for - personal experience. I figured that the Remora was more commonly recommend than the others in that price range.

10/25/2006, 10:19 PM	#1
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Red Sea Berlin Turbo Hang On Skimmer - Good? I'm looking to trade my UV sterilizer for a skimmer, hoping to get a AquaC Remora HOB in trade or would settle for the Red Sea Prizm. I was offered the Red Sea Berlin Turbo Hang On in trade, but I know nothing about it. Any comments on this skimmer? A Maxi-Jet 1200 blows the sand around in my 33g, so would the skimmer be too powerful for my 33g?

10/25/2006, 11:05 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That skimmer hasn't gotten the greatest reviews, but there is no objective data on skimmer performance, so there's a lot guessing going on. I'd probably go for a CoraLife in that price range. The skimmer won't be pumping all that much water since it's injecting air. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/26/2006, 12:57 AM	#3
RandyK37922 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 18	I have a Berlin Red Sea Turbo that I am actually pretty happy with. Nice nasty smelly skimmate, big easy to clean collection cup and easy to adjust. I have only had it operating for about six months though, so I can't speak for the long term. __________________ Randy Current Tank Info: multiple, reef and marine tanks include 125, 120, 75

10/26/2006, 08:08 PM	#4
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	I thought the AquaC Remora was pretty much the best you can get for CAD$200? __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

10/26/2006, 10:19 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There's no objective data on skimmers, so one person's best is another person's worst. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/26/2006, 11:52 PM	#6
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Hahaha, well that's always true, but I thought that in a poll the Remora generally got more votes...? I just don't have a lot of spare cash sitting around (student loans) so I need to make sure I get a good, reliable, suitable skimmer for my tank. I don't know...I'm lost!!! __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

10/27/2006, 12:17 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think you'll probably be happy enough with a Remora or a CoraLife. There's no point in worrying too much, since no one really knows which works better in any given situation. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/27/2006, 07:45 PM	#8
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	I haven't looked at the CoraLife skimmers. I haven't had anyone offer their Remora yet, so I'm thinking I won't be able to trade for one. Maybe I should just get this Red Sea Berlin Turbo hang on and quit worrying about it. It would most likely be better than a Red Sea Prizm right? __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

10/27/2006, 10:05 PM	#9
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	I have had both brands of skimmers(RS and Ramora). They both work but the Red Sea can be a bit hard to keep adjusted long term, and will comonly overskim then overflow. I have the most customer complaints from the RS skimmer and no longer order them for novice customers. The Ramora Mag 3 model is the best I have had as a hang on, no adjusting, it just works but is a bit more expensive. Also has a surface skimmer but that can be way more bulky then the RS surface skimmer kit. I never recommend the coral life skimmer, its just does not work well IMO. Some skim nice but as far as I can tell all will produce micro bubbles when used as a hang on. They are not consistent. If you are ok with keeping up on the RS adjustments then its worth the price savings. But if you want a skimmer that you wont have to monkey with go Ramora. Rob

10/28/2006, 12:27 AM	#10
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Thanks for your input Rob! That's the kind of comments I was looking for - personal experience. I figured that the Remora was more commonly recommend than the others in that price range. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.