New Berlin Turbo Skimmer Problem

[tangman99]

I hooked up my Berlin Turbo Skimmer (Hang On type working off the sump) a couple of weeks ago and it works like a dream except when I turn if off to clean it or if the power goes out it will not restart. Sounds like the RIO 2500 I just replaced. I took it apart the first couple of times and it restarted. Last night I took it apart several times and never could get it to restart.
Anyway, I called Red Sea and they are sending me a replacement pump. I just wanted to know if anyone else has the Berlin Turbo and has had this same problem? I'm hoping I just got hold of a bad pump as I have heard nothing but great things about the Berlin skimmers.
I did replace the default impellor with a new one that they sent because there were some problems with the first generation impellor in the turbo. The pumps are made for Red Sea by Hydor in Italy. I've never heard anything good or bad about this type pump, but it is the only one that you can use with the Turbo model.
Crossing my fingers that all will be OK!
Tangman

 

[risc]

Tangman99:
I have the same skimmer and it does the same thing every time the power goes out. Which in my house is rather often because of all my tanks drawing so much power. Whenever I turn on my stereo all my fish tank lights dim in fact. Once I get it started up again it runs like a dream however. I do run two skimmers on this tank however just in case. The other one is made by Emperor Aquatics.
Jim

 

[jesuit_flyer]

Rio's are infamous for not restarting. Try a maxi-jet.

 

[b_ball12_99]

Got mine today, didn't need to read this. Called to get my new impeller by calling the # you gave me. Waiting for it now then I'm going to hook it up. Hope you only got a bad pump.

 

[tangman99]

b_ball,
Yeah, I almost did not post this because I knew you would read it. Did not want to bring you down.
You can go ahead and run it with the old impellor until you get your new one or at least that is what they told me. It appears there was a problem with the old ones either being to heavy and causing restart problems or breaking apart after awhile. I've heard both so I don't know which is true if not both. You may a new one anyway.
But on a good note, it skims like crazy. It makes tons of bubbles and removes a lot of gunk.
Good luck with yours,
Tangman

 

[q]

This is the skimmer I want also. When I buy it just gonna buy a mag 7 and not have any pump hassles.
Someone else on the board has a berlin and said the mag 7 improved the skimming. Oh well, it's only money.

 

[tangman99]

Buying a separate pump for the regular Berlin is fine as it does not come with a pump. The turbo includes the pump and you can't replace it because it has the air input built into the pump where it is mixed with the water instead of using a venturi. It works really well.
Tangman

 

[b_ball12_99]

Today they told me 3 days for the new pump. I'll have to see how mine does. Hopefully you only got a bad pump. This is going to be my first time with a skimmer so I've always read Berlin is a top choice so thats what I got, do it right the first time.
Good luck getting yours fixed up!

 

[jimi]

I have a mag 7 on my Berlin classic and it works great. I think you can use any pump on the turbo. I think the air intake on the venturi is just blocked.

 

[tangman99]

Let me clarify a little. The turbo berlin skimmer is the same as the regular berlin in the skimmer portion. They actually sell a turbo conversion kit which is just the turbo pump. The turbo is the pump itself as it has an air input that mixes the air with the water internal to the pump. The venturi on the regular berlin is simply removed and replaced with a screw that serves as a plug.
If you have a turbo and want to change the pump, you can do so. You will have to obtain the venturi and add it in place of the plug and you will simply have the regular berlin skimmer.
Tangman