Berlin Skimmer Extra Large?

Tosh_Auer · 05-10-2004, 02:29 AM

I have been offered a second hand Red Sea Extra Large Berlin Skimmer for $170AUS which i think is a bargain. He is also willing to throw in an Ehiem 1060 for another $150AUS. What are they like as a skimmer? How big are they? I have heard they are huge. All help is appreciated. Oh and i think that makes it about $240US. IS taht a bargain?

Tosh

BoomerD · 05-10-2004, 02:44 AM

Just as an FYI...
Tosh, currently on Marine Depot, the Berlin XL is $205 with the recommended Rio 3100 pump, $165. bare, and while they don't list the Eheim 1060, they do have the 1260, which is just a bit stronger pump for $119.00., so that would be $294 set-up about the same...so maybe not too bad of a price...
While I've never owned one, they're one of those skimmers that people either seem to love or hate. BTW, this skimmer is about 33" tall.

Tosh_Auer · 05-10-2004, 03:59 AM

Yeah i have been looking at how much they are over there but the cheapest i can find one over here brand new is $345AUS and $278AUS for the pump. That is delivered. So thats about half what i would be paying if i was too buy one over here. Also are there any other pumps that i could purchase that will do the job just as well for around the same price?

mps9506 · 05-10-2004, 10:33 AM

I personally hate these skimmers. But that is JMO.
Apparently they do well if you upgrade the pump and the venturi.
But I hate the adjustibility of these skimmers. You control the whole thing by airflow. IMO every skimmer should have two adjustments, one for venturi airflow, a second for water level.
In the berlins case, you control both with airflow. Less airflow mean higher water level, but fewer bubbles. More airflow, the water level goes down and you get more bubble.
Also the venturi that comes with these is horrible and gets dirty very fast.
Wish I could receomnd something better, but I don't know what is avaible on that side of the ocean.
I saw a lot of MTC skimmers while in Japan, maybe those are available where you are?
Mike

BoomerD · 05-10-2004, 10:34 AM

My opinion is that Eheim pumps, while being very well made, are just outrageously priced for their output. As much as we all hate them, some of the Rio pumps will outperform the Eheims, at a much reduced price, and there were/are only a few of the Rio's that have given them the bad reputation...The 3100 is supposed to be one of the"good " ones. Also, Mag drive pumps are good pumps, at p[robably a 1/3 cost savings, as sell as many others. Ehiem just makes a damm good pump, and like most examples of fine German engineering, (see my avatar?) you have to pay for not only the engineering & construction costs, but also the privilege of owning one...

BoomerD · 05-10-2004, 12:55 PM

By the way, have you looked into having any imported from the US? Not sure how much duties and shipping would add to the total cost, but might be worth while IF there's a particular skimmer you want.
How big of a tank are you looking to skim? The Berlin XL is rated (by them) for up to 400 gallons, (realistically to 200- 250) You could get a pretty decent skimmer for about the same $$$ if you don't need to skim anything that big.

Tosh_Auer · 05-11-2004, 02:05 AM

I am skimming 90Gal worth so i thought it would overskim it too the point of no end. Yeah i have decided that i am not going to get the eheim pump but am going to get the skimmer and buy a RIO or PondMaster pump for it. the guy said he has done the venturi upgrade and it works fine and if it doesn't that i can send it back and he will pay for the postage back as well as refund my money. I think i am doing the right thing but then again who knows with second hand items. I have also heard that RIO pumps are better value for money and figured it was a waste when i can get a 3100 for $180 and pay $150 for a two year old eheim. Thanks for the advice.

Witfull · 05-11-2004, 10:03 AM

tosh, i agree with buying one relatively locally to your location. on the boards its a small world, but when dealing with currency conversions, shipping, and such its still pretty big. i cant even imagine the time frame involved if you ordered from the states and it arrived damaged and had to return it and get a new one sent, possible excuses because it was an international order, yadda yadda yadda. good luck with the skimmer, but please consider a magdrive over a rio...PLEASE!

Tosh_Auer · 05-12-2004, 12:14 AM

I have found Mag Drive's hard to find in AUS but i will look just for you Witt.

BoomerD · 05-12-2004, 12:24 AM

Tosh, unless there's a difference between there and here, Pondmaster pumps ARE Mag Drive pumps...Made by Danner...longer cords is the only difference I know of now days.

Witfull · 05-12-2004, 12:35 AM

thanks tosh,,,,when you have a Rio catch fire in your sump you get a bad taste for the brand,,,,

youre correct boomerD same pump different name,,,,,marketing stuff.

Tosh_Auer · 05-12-2004, 05:21 AM

Oh ok then i will definatley get a pondmaster because A: they are cheaper, B: you all seem to like them alot more and well you'vehad teh experience. Thanks guys

05-10-2004, 02:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tosh_Auer Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 469 View Gallery Karma Komment	Berlin Skimmer Extra Large? I have been offered a second hand Red Sea Extra Large Berlin Skimmer for $170AUS which i think is a bargain. He is also willing to throw in an Ehiem 1060 for another $150AUS. What are they like as a skimmer? How big are they? I have heard they are huge. All help is appreciated. Oh and i think that makes it about $240US. IS taht a bargain? Tosh __________________ You Try Explaining to your girlfriend why you cant take her out cause you just spent $300 on lights for a fish tank. lol

05-10-2004, 02:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Just as an FYI... Tosh, currently on Marine Depot, the Berlin XL is $205 with the recommended Rio 3100 pump, $165. bare, and while they don't list the Eheim 1060, they do have the 1260, which is just a bit stronger pump for $119.00., so that would be $294 set-up about the same...so maybe not too bad of a price... While I've never owned one, they're one of those skimmers that people either seem to love or hate. BTW, this skimmer is about 33" tall. Last edited by BoomerD : 05-10-2004 at 02:51 AM.

05-10-2004, 03:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tosh_Auer Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 469 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeah i have been looking at how much they are over there but the cheapest i can find one over here brand new is $345AUS and $278AUS for the pump. That is delivered. So thats about half what i would be paying if i was too buy one over here. Also are there any other pumps that i could purchase that will do the job just as well for around the same price? __________________ You Try Explaining to your girlfriend why you cant take her out cause you just spent $300 on lights for a fish tank. lol

05-11-2004, 02:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tosh_Auer Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 469 View Gallery Karma Komment	I am skimming 90Gal worth so i thought it would overskim it too the point of no end. Yeah i have decided that i am not going to get the eheim pump but am going to get the skimmer and buy a RIO or PondMaster pump for it. the guy said he has done the venturi upgrade and it works fine and if it doesn't that i can send it back and he will pay for the postage back as well as refund my money. I think i am doing the right thing but then again who knows with second hand items. I have also heard that RIO pumps are better value for money and figured it was a waste when i can get a 3100 for $180 and pay $150 for a two year old eheim. Thanks for the advice. __________________ You Try Explaining to your girlfriend why you cant take her out cause you just spent $300 on lights for a fish tank. lol

05-12-2004, 12:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tosh_Auer Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 469 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have found Mag Drive's hard to find in AUS but i will look just for you Witt. __________________ You Try Explaining to your girlfriend why you cant take her out cause you just spent $300 on lights for a fish tank. lol

05-10-2004, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,436 View Gallery Karma Komment	I personally hate these skimmers. But that is JMO. Apparently they do well if you upgrade the pump and the venturi. But I hate the adjustibility of these skimmers. You control the whole thing by airflow. IMO every skimmer should have two adjustments, one for venturi airflow, a second for water level. In the berlins case, you control both with airflow. Less airflow mean higher water level, but fewer bubbles. More airflow, the water level goes down and you get more bubble. Also the venturi that comes with these is horrible and gets dirty very fast. Wish I could receomnd something better, but I don't know what is avaible on that side of the ocean. I saw a lot of MTC skimmers while in Japan, maybe those are available where you are? Mike

05-10-2004, 10:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	My opinion is that Eheim pumps, while being very well made, are just outrageously priced for their output. As much as we all hate them, some of the Rio pumps will outperform the Eheims, at a much reduced price, and there were/are only a few of the Rio's that have given them the bad reputation...The 3100 is supposed to be one of the"good " ones. Also, Mag drive pumps are good pumps, at p[robably a 1/3 cost savings, as sell as many others. Ehiem just makes a damm good pump, and like most examples of fine German engineering, (see my avatar?) you have to pay for not only the engineering & construction costs, but also the privilege of owning one...

05-10-2004, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	By the way, have you looked into having any imported from the US? Not sure how much duties and shipping would add to the total cost, but might be worth while IF there's a particular skimmer you want. How big of a tank are you looking to skim? The Berlin XL is rated (by them) for up to 400 gallons, (realistically to 200- 250) You could get a pretty decent skimmer for about the same $$$ if you don't need to skim anything that big.

05-12-2004, 12:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Tosh, unless there's a difference between there and here, Pondmaster pumps ARE Mag Drive pumps...Made by Danner...longer cords is the only difference I know of now days.

05-12-2004, 05:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tosh_Auer Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 469 View Gallery Karma Komment	Oh ok then i will definatley get a pondmaster because A: they are cheaper, B: you all seem to like them alot more and well you'vehad teh experience. Thanks guys __________________ You Try Explaining to your girlfriend why you cant take her out cause you just spent $300 on lights for a fish tank. lol

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