Skimmer Tweaking

[markfsmf]

Is there any way to make a red sea berlin skimmer work better. I am looking for a new skimmer unless I can make this one work better. I barely get a 1/2 cup skimmate a week from it and I feel that it is not working as good as it should. Currently I have it with a kent venturi and a rio 2800 pump. I know that the rio pump is bad news but would replacing the pump with a mag 9 make it work better. I am open to all suggestions before I plunk down 200 - 300 dollars for a new one.

 

[Mouse]

Basically when skimming the idea is to get a dry foam, from the sounds of things i would imagine that you are pulling a very dry foam, if you want to pull more skimmate, then you need to either adjust the flow or the air added. To skim most efficiently, you want a slower flow and the largest ammount of air so that the water is in the fraxination column for as long as possible. Most people would be happy with a dry foam, and just because your skimmer seems to be underperforming, doesn't mean it isn't working properly. Also, making sure the internals of the skimmer are spotlessly clean (including collection cup) will also increase performance.

hope that helps

 

[NMreefer]

Hello. I see that you're from Midland, pretty cool! I have a Berlin XL that I've modified that works fairly well. I also use a Kent venturi, but I also have combined the outputs into one and installed a ball valve to regulate the water output on mine. I only run a mag 7 which is what Red Sea recommends. If you have any questions or need pics, let me know.
Cool to talk to somebody so close to home!

Phillip