given a berlin skimmer should I keep it?

[IronChef]

I have a 72g FOWLR and I was given a Berlin venturi (with instructions but no way to identify the skimmer)I think it may be a classic. I was also given a pump that seems very powerfull (the pump has no identification or markings)I have 2 questions the first being I dont have the lid or carbon filter for the top, will this effect the skimming? Second, if I start from the closed (no bubbles at all)and begin to open the screw that lets air into the skimmer, I can only turn it less than a 1/4 turn before foam blasts out the top...is the pump too strong? I can set it very low and thick foam will gather at the top and slowly spill over into the collection cup over the course of the day like I believe it should. The fact that I am using so little of the potential makes me wonder if it is set up properly. Ammonia=0 nitrite=0 ph=8.2

 

[freedom75]

Iron chef

I have a berlin hang-on. It does a great job. I also have a 72 gallon bowfront. When I make adjustments I do it a little then wait a day to see how it settles down. once you get it set it will run good for a long time.

John Wray
[email protected]

 

[Jawbone]

You should not keep this skimmer... instead mail it immeadiatley to me and I will of course dispose of it properly

 

[Buck]

While JAWBONE may be a very fine person - I suspect his manner of "disposal" - send it to ME for PROPER disposition!!

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

You need to have a lid of some sort (with holes to let the air out) otherwise the foam will end up running down the side of the skimmer back into the sump etc.

The carbon filter is only needed is you're using the skimmer as an ozone reactor. It serves no purpose if you're not doing this.

As your tank cleans up you should be able to open up the amount of the air entering the venturi.

 

[IronChef]

I gather by the number of people asking me to send them the skimmer for "Proper Disposal" that it may be worth holding onto. As for the lid; the skimmer is not in the sump it stands alone with a intake hose dropped into the bottom of the wet-dry. If the only problem is overflow out of the collection cup than I think I will be all right because it will just run onto my floor (lol)

 

[EmilyB]

The Berlin Classic may run fine on that size tank. It is ridiculous for anything larger. I have a Berlin HO in my 72g. It somewhat performs, however water changes send it haywire. (Overflow on cup into 2 gallon jug often overflows) It is not voted my fav after having a Euro-reef in my 155g. Huge cup, never an overflow.

It may work depending on your bioload.

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: EmilyB ]</p>

 

[Buck]

It is a fine unit and will do the job for you. I have one running on my 240, collect about a quart of material over a 2 wk period depending on how I feed. I run any overflow into a gal. milk jug and dispose periodically. You can fabricate a top out of one of those little plastic potted plant trays if you need to. The pump may be a little strong but sounds like you can control the air flow so it is usable - just set it up and let it run for a week or so and let us know. If you need to throttle down the pump just place a valve on the outlet and adjust to what you feel is proper.

 

[IronChef]

Well I think I finally have the air setting correct, a thick dark foam hovers at the top of the bubble collom and spills into the collection cup a couple of times a day. Something I have noticed however is that when I place some Tetra Marine flakes in the tank (I am in the process of changing from this food to a sinking/solid type of food)that the entire collom of foam collapses and becomes very thin and watery and the the skimming action appears to completly stop for an hour or so...Is this the food and is the concentrated foam that hasnt spilled into the collection cup (it was still on the top of the bubble collom when it dissolved back into the water)going to hurt the tank when it suddenly flows back into the system?