skimmer mods

Chupakabra-King · 05-22-2006, 09:43 AM

Hey all !

I just bought a Berlin skimmer XL for super cheap . My water is clearer than it has ever been since installing this puppy. Its not as bad as everyone makes it out to be . I am running it with a mag 7 from my DIY skimmer and it is working pretty darn good as is , but being the tinkerer that I am would like to make it even better . Anybody out there ever had one of these and use a bigger pump on it ? I am thinking Mag 9.5 or 12 , and a 3/4" kent venturi . How about a needle wheel ? Think I can run a needle wheel type pump on it ? I haven't a clue as to what size needle wheel pump I would need . Any suggestions ?

Yeah I already know all the bad press these things have got . I have seen them in action and they rock when they are set up correctly .

Thanks in advance !

Joe

Geoff · 05-22-2006, 11:38 AM

due to the design of the skimmer overdriving it can create more problems. since it is a triple pass the velocity of the water in these passes speeds up significantly when more water is shot through it. this lowers your dwell time, making it less efficient.

after saying that, putting a much more powerfull pump on it will allow the venturi to operate more efficiently. the more violent the atomizing of the bubbles the smaller they will be. just slapping a Mag 9.5 on it would increase the bubble count without changing the actual amount of water through the skimmer that much.

what size venturi is on it? i thought it came with a 3/4" Kent venturi already?

G~

Chupakabra-King · 05-22-2006, 12:08 PM

Yeah it comes with a built in venturi . I heard that it wasn't that great and switching to a kent venturi and removing the stock venturi was supposed to make it alot better .

So you think that just switching to a mag 9.5 would suffice ? It sounds like that would drive the venturi better . . . .

Geoff · 05-22-2006, 10:13 PM

odd, i thought i saw a Kent venturi on one. maybe they have already done the mod. either way putting a bigger pump on it would help. those Kent venturi valves are fairly inexpensive and do a great job at creating bubbles so it could be a nice simple mod to do.

G~

Chupakabra-King · 05-23-2006, 08:22 AM

I think I will try the new pump first and then move to a new venturi if need be . I might save some money !

I tried using the 1/2" kent venturi from my DIY skimmer and it was worse than the stocker !

It is skimming away like it sits though . I have to remove 1/2" thick of green scum from the riser neck every few days .

Not bad for a $60 skimmer !