Red Sea Berlin Skimmer 25-250?

AslanTheKing · 10/16/2005, 11:25 AM

I've looked at the descriptions, but I am wondering if buying a used version with a new pump would be a good call for a 55 gallon tank?

If not, what other in-sump skimmers can be recommended for someone on a budget. Not looking to cut corners, just not looking to sell my first born in order to get the job done.

Peace

Kevin

bertoni · 10/16/2005, 03:58 PM

Those skimmers don't get particularly good reviews. You could look at a Remora Pro or perhaps a CoraLife SuperSkimmer. I have a Remora Pro that seems okay so far.

Steven Pro · 10/16/2005, 05:43 PM

They are not my favorite brand/model. There are better choices.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm

Icedawg4563 · 10/16/2005, 07:06 PM

I am so sick of people bashing every skimmer thats not a euroreef or CPR Bakpak or Remora Pro. I Have this skimmer and LOVE IT! I get a full cup a week and this is a 150 with only 3 fish AND I DID A 100% WATER CHANGE AND CLEANED EVERY INCH OF THE SANDBED. Just because someone had bad luck and not enough patience to adjust it they said they hate it on here and now its the general opinion. I recomend it so HA! lol

mrreuben · 10/16/2005, 07:48 PM

you tell em icedawg..

goldmaniac · 04/03/2007, 09:34 AM

ok I have a Red Sea Berlin Classic in-sump, purchased used, and I'm looking for mods, frankly it's been hard to find mods on RC. I know about getting a Kent Turbo Venturi, but the intake from my pump to the skimmer has a ball valve adjustment on there, and I'm hesitiant to put a Kent Turbo Venturi on there, as well.

I already removed the cover of the Red Sea pump that came with it and filed the intake opening so that more water can come thru into the pump. This helped for about a week.

I read one entry somewhere where the person plugged one of the two output / overflow pipes on this thing, anyone else know about this?

and I was thinking of putting an air pump on the air intake. good/bad idea?

mcwl · 04/03/2007, 10:29 PM

I had one for years and it worked great

NHLaCrosse · 04/04/2007, 07:12 AM

Goldmaniac,

I have had a Red Sea Berlin Classic for years. I didn't like it out of the box, but I did put a kent venturi on it and use a mag 7 pump. Now it works great. I haven't plugged an output, but I did put a reducing fitting on one side. I threaded a PVC 3/4 to 1/2 inch reducer and that certainly did the trick. You could put a 3/4 inch ball valve on the output instead to have even more control.

goldmaniac · 04/04/2007, 07:32 AM

ok, thanks

I'm going to try a Kent Venturi on the skimmmer. I also mod'ed the Red Sea skimmer pump to push more water. And I'll replace the air intake hose with something bigger.

I thought about it last night and I'll continue to try to get a decent skimmer out of this.

Thanks for your advice, NHLaCrosse

cwschoon · 12/08/2007, 12:39 PM

I have a 60 gal pred tank w. a volitan, dogface puffer, clown and 2 damsels. I have a Prizm delux but am not overly pleased-bubbles and noisy. I have had it for a while and it does do the job but am considering an upgrade. I do need a hang on....That Pet Place is having a sale and I can get a Berlin hang on -23"-w. pump for $ 160.00. Any opinions?? When I was in sales in this industry, I used to be of the opinion that Berlin's were overpriced for their performance. If not the Berlin, any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Craig

10/16/2005, 11:25 AM	#1
AslanTheKing Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 249	Red Sea Berlin Skimmer 25-250? I've looked at the descriptions, but I am wondering if buying a used version with a new pump would be a good call for a 55 gallon tank? If not, what other in-sump skimmers can be recommended for someone on a budget. Not looking to cut corners, just not looking to sell my first born in order to get the job done. Peace Kevin

10/16/2005, 03:58 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Those skimmers don't get particularly good reviews. You could look at a Remora Pro or perhaps a CoraLife SuperSkimmer. I have a Remora Pro that seems okay so far. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/16/2005, 05:43 PM	#3
Steven Pro Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9,376	They are not my favorite brand/model. There are better choices. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm __________________ Steven Pro, yep that is my real name. Current Tank Info: Twelve 600 gallon tubs located in a greenhouse

10/16/2005, 07:48 PM	#5
mrreuben Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reading Pa Posts: 295	you tell em icedawg.. __________________ if you got questions bout pipes. im your man Current Tank Info: 70 gal oceanic rr, outer orbit 36" 150w mh 2x 96w pc attinics, 20 gal long tank turned into my sump, mag 9.5 sump return pump, little giant 3mdqx-sc used for my closed loop.

10/16/2005, 07:06 PM	#4
Icedawg4563 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 457	I am so sick of people bashing every skimmer thats not a euroreef or CPR Bakpak or Remora Pro. I Have this skimmer and LOVE IT! I get a full cup a week and this is a 150 with only 3 fish AND I DID A 100% WATER CHANGE AND CLEANED EVERY INCH OF THE SANDBED. Just because someone had bad luck and not enough patience to adjust it they said they hate it on here and now its the general opinion. I recomend it so HA! lol

04/03/2007, 09:34 AM	#6
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	ok I have a Red Sea Berlin Classic in-sump, purchased used, and I'm looking for mods, frankly it's been hard to find mods on RC. I know about getting a Kent Turbo Venturi, but the intake from my pump to the skimmer has a ball valve adjustment on there, and I'm hesitiant to put a Kent Turbo Venturi on there, as well. I already removed the cover of the Red Sea pump that came with it and filed the intake opening so that more water can come thru into the pump. This helped for about a week. I read one entry somewhere where the person plugged one of the two output / overflow pipes on this thing, anyone else know about this? and I was thinking of putting an air pump on the air intake. good/bad idea?

04/03/2007, 10:29 PM	#7
mcwl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 86	I had one for years and it worked great

04/04/2007, 07:12 AM	#8
NHLaCrosse Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 21	Goldmaniac, I have had a Red Sea Berlin Classic for years. I didn't like it out of the box, but I did put a kent venturi on it and use a mag 7 pump. Now it works great. I haven't plugged an output, but I did put a reducing fitting on one side. I threaded a PVC 3/4 to 1/2 inch reducer and that certainly did the trick. You could put a 3/4 inch ball valve on the output instead to have even more control.

04/04/2007, 07:32 AM	#9
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	ok, thanks I'm going to try a Kent Venturi on the skimmmer. I also mod'ed the Red Sea skimmer pump to push more water. And I'll replace the air intake hose with something bigger. I thought about it last night and I'll continue to try to get a decent skimmer out of this. Thanks for your advice, NHLaCrosse

12/08/2007, 12:39 PM	#10
cwschoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,318	I have a 60 gal pred tank w. a volitan, dogface puffer, clown and 2 damsels. I have a Prizm delux but am not overly pleased-bubbles and noisy. I have had it for a while and it does do the job but am considering an upgrade. I do need a hang on....That Pet Place is having a sale and I can get a Berlin hang on -23"-w. pump for $ 160.00. Any opinions?? When I was in sales in this industry, I used to be of the opinion that Berlin's were overpriced for their performance. If not the Berlin, any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Craig