Berlin XL info
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1066
Printed Date: June 10 2026 at 5:27am
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Topic: Berlin XL info
Posted By: imaexpat2
Subject: Berlin XL info
Date Posted: September 27 2003 at 8:47pm
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Anyone out there using a Berlin XL? I just got one to replace my Seaclone. I didnt really think too much of the instructions that came with it on set up and I am wondering if I got this thing set up right. Can anyone provide some feed back on this for me? The pump that came with it is producing a ton of fine bubbles but occasionally I will get a couple of quarter size bubbles every now and again. Water level is up to the black bracket where there are two exhaust water outlets. Its been running for about 36 hours and I had a little water in the cup but nothing like the Seaclone gives me. I know its newly set up, but I figured that by now I would start seeing some results. I am wondering if I have it set up correctly and working right. ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Replies:
Posted By: RTaylor
Date Posted: September 28 2003 at 1:38pm
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There are a lot of people who hate Red Sea Berlins. I have a Classic that I modified and it workes great. Sounds like you got the Turbo version mine is the standard venturi style. I haven't heard much about the Turbo's. After a cleaning it takes about 1-2 hrs to start a good foam again but not 36. I would look into modifying it. ------------- RT |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: September 28 2003 at 4:08pm
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Once again I am getting very unhappy with Redsea again. I hate to think that I wasted another 250.00!!! Sorry but this is really getting me flustrated. Yes I did get the Turbo version. What sort of modification should I make in a effort to salvage my money? What other skimmers are out there that are foolproof and work as advertised? ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 28 2003 at 10:23pm
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The principle behind skimmers is not rocket science. It would surprise me if a modern skimmer could not be tweaked to get it working. My experience is that the relation of the water levels is crucial. The level of the water entering the skimmer and the level of water in the skimmer required to make foam reach a few inches below the point where it overflows into the cup.
Raise or lower the skimmer or raise or lower the water level where the skimmer sits, etc. Look at what keeps water in the skimmer, a pump and a valve or valves. The pump may not be strong enough to push the water/foam up to the collection cup. Raising the water level in the sump can compensate for a weak pump. Lowering the skimmer if possible can also help. Careful, Permanently raising the water level in the sump can allow it to overflow when the power goes off/the pump is unplugged. Follow the flow and try to determine how to get foaming to rise and lower. Adjust it so the foam is near the top, then lower it so that you don't loose a lot of clear saltwater. A couple big bubbles everyonce in a while is not a big problem so long as it doesn't ruin the foam. Could be a leaking connection. Try to understand why there are "two exhaust water outlets" as you described. Allow time for how it works to sink in and you will probably understand the principles and become an expert on any skimmer. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: September 28 2003 at 10:56pm
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Thanks Mark...I knew you would pipe in with something worth thinking about sooner or later. I will try to fabricate a set up to allow me to lower the pump. I havent ran the sump in all honesty to full capacity yet. I dont have to worry about it flooding the house in the event of pump failure as the excess water will flow into a drain. That will only drop my tank level about 3 inches or so, no big deal and no wet carpet to boot too. I will try both of those suggestions. Dont know why there are two exhaust ports. I havent used Berlins before. Not a real big fan of RedSea anyways since the prizim I bought when I first started. I wanted to upgrade from the slightly undersized SeaClone and thought I would give this a try. The instructions leave a lot to be desired, and doesnt have much in the way of pics or overly detail written instructions either. I am about 99% sure I put it together correctly. Thanks for giving me a couple of ideas to work with. Hopefully I can get this over grown monstrocity up and running tomorrow. If anyone else has suggestion I am all ears ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: September 29 2003 at 4:26am
| I know when I had mine I read an article about shortening the tubing between your pump and the skimmer. I did this to where it was maybe only 2 inches long, this greatly increased the amount of skimmate it prodcued for me. |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: September 29 2003 at 4:42pm
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rfoote That is something I noticed, with the thru-hulls attached on the refugium/sump I do have enough extra length that I could shorten it a bit. I got some extra tubing I will give that a shot before I play the lowering game with the sump or raising the water level. Sounds like a good idea and a potential easy fix as well. I think I will raise the water level a bit next if that doesnt quiet do the trick.
Thanks for the ideas guys(or Gals). I really appreciate the ideas and suggestions!!! ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: September 29 2003 at 7:17pm
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I think I found this as well as a few other modifications I made off of a search of reefcentral.com. With these modifications, ie. shortening tube as well as something I did with the venturi, can't remember. It pulled crap out probably almost as well as my Euroreef now.
However, it was a pain to clean. Unless they made some changes you had to take the entire inside out and have a decent amount of clearance. As well as the pump that came with it became somewhat tempermental after about the first year. Not trying to discourage you, just telling you my experience. |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: September 30 2003 at 6:34pm
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Well I got it to give me a little skimate in the cup finally. I guess I will keep playing with it for a while longer and see what happens Thanks for the ideas! ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: November 17 2003 at 5:59pm
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The Berlin XL is history! Finally got tired of the turbo motor not working worth a crap and its poor performance in general.
Anyone have any better suggestions for a skimmer for a 135 gallon tank hooked up to a 140 gallon refugium (only about 80 gallons of water in it though)? Bio load fish wise is very few, but I do have a lot of SPS corals, 220 lbs of live rock (got about 25-30lbs of live rock rubble to be added to the refugium next week), 310lbs live sand, 9 mangrove trees and assorted algae. I would greatly appreciate some feed back on recommendations for skimmers... Thanks! ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: November 17 2003 at 7:26pm
| I replaced my Berlin XL with a Euro-Reef and have loved it! I like my Berlin though, just had some space restrictions with my new sump. |
Posted By: KeoDog
Date Posted: November 18 2003 at 5:33am
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I've heard dozens of times that the pump that comes with the turbo version is crap. I've been told it is best to use a mag 9.5 or a rio 3100 with that skimmer. I have a Berlin XL but am waiting for a gate valve to get here so I will be able to adjust the input to it. I will be using a mag 9.5. I have also been told to get rid of one of the tubes in the middle (I think the larger one but not sure) and it will perform much better. ------------- Kevin Kunz (Sandy, UT) 300g reef "A trade by which one gains and the other loses is a fraud." Ayn Rand |
Posted By: mdawson8931
Date Posted: November 18 2003 at 10:03am
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does this mean you have a berlin for sale imaexpat2? ------------- Mike Layton, Ut. |
Posted By: imaexpat2
Date Posted: November 18 2003 at 6:40pm
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I took it to the gun range this week end....Did a little "stress-management". Didnt make me any better off, but it did make me feel a little better though. If I thought someone would have wanted it I would have gladly sent it to you for cost of postage! Sorry..... ------------- 300 gal. Frag System 300 gal. Live Rock Vat 240 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 135 gal. SPS/Clam Reef Tank 75 gal. Softies only Tank 65 gal. LPS/Softies 24 gal. SPS/Softies Nano Reef |
Posted By: mdawson8931
Date Posted: November 18 2003 at 10:57pm
Crap, story of my life!  ------------- Mike Layton, Ut. |