berlin skimmers good or bad?

[ucdpike2001]

I recently bought a berlin skimmer for $50. I have heard mixed opinions about them. Any feed back would be helpful. Thanks

 

[tangman99]

Is it a Venturi or a turbo model? I have the Berlin Turbo and it is definitely nothing special. It skims, but when it dies I will definitely get something else.

 

[cope787]

i suggest investing in a seaclone 100 or 150.

 

[calvindo]

tangman99... thanks... almost bought a berlin myself. debating on getting a venturi or euro reef. yes, i know euro reef is the way to go, but the price of the unit hurts like hell...

 

[flamehawk]

My experience with berlins has been terrible. I would definately stay away from them. There was a time when I thought the seaclone was not a good skimmer but now relatively speaking it's better then berlin.
Berlin does not seem to be able to get their act together on the pump that powers their skimmers. SOme have said using the rio powerhead( forgot what size) might work.

 

[naturelover]

never owned a berlin skimmer, but i have 100 seaclone( i cut it off to make it work like 150) , 150 seaclone($120) and aquaclear aquatics model 250 (cost me around $225).
I am very pleased with aquaclear aquatics. seaclone 150 pain to adjust but not bad.

 

[gregvabch]

i started with a seaclone 100 and i was not impressed. i bought it because it was the cheapest one i could find, and i learned that you get what you pay for. now i'm running a berlin turbo and it works like a champ. i was surprised to see such bad comments about them, because i have no complaints. i think for what they cost in comparison to the more expensive skimmers that have been recommended, you can't go wrong with a berlin turbo classic. i've never had any problems with the pump that came with it either. just needs to be cleaned every so often, just like any other kind of mechanical filtration. i can't seem to empty my collection cup enough. nitrates= 0 ppm.

 

[thomas712]

When the Turbo came out they were junk, impeller problems, and they had to send imperllers out to dealers everywhere and upgrade kits to the consumers, they were plane worse than the Classic.
Perhaps they have solved all of the problems with them, but they still seem to be only a good skimmer.
I still use the classic as many do and enjoy its performance.
Thomas

 

[wamp]

I have used the Berlin classic for many years. I ran it with a Mag5 pump. I never had any problems with it. Just regular cleaning and emptying the cup.
I would recomend the classic to anyone. I have never used the turbo.

 

[tangman99]

Originally posted by gregvabch
i started with a seaclone 100 and i was not impressed. i bought it because it was the cheapest one i could find, and i learned that you get what you pay for. now i'm running a berlin turbo and it works like a champ. i was surprised to see such bad comments about them, because i have no complaints. i think for what they cost in comparison to the more expensive skimmers that have been recommended, you can't go wrong with a berlin turbo classic. i've never had any problems with the pump that came with it either. just needs to be cleaned every so often, just like any other kind of mechanical filtration. i can't seem to empty my collection cup enough. nitrates= 0 ppm.
I guess you got one of the later ones. I bought the turbo when it was pretty new and had the 12 blade impellor which went through 5 redesigns because of the pump would fail to restart on power outages. Once they went to the 18 blade, the impellor was fine, but my pump was now shot. They replaced that also twice. After going through all this, mine does work now, but it does not skim as well as it should. I just have no faith in their products any longer.
Note: This is strictly with the Turbo skimmer as all off these problems are pump related. The classic with another type pump may be just fine.