can somebody help me get a pump?

[stevefromga2000]

Alright, I think i figured out what is wrong with my skimmer. i think that the pump itself is too far from the venturi.

my manual says that if the pump is further than 8 in from my venturi, then i should need a stronger pump. i think the pump i have is 500 gph. i was shopping around, but i don't understand what it means when it says 2 feet, or 5 feet, or whatever. at each amount, it has a different flow rating. is that amount the length between the venturi and the pump? also, if i upgrade to more gph, am i going to need a special pump to push air into my skimmer as well, or can i get one that will still do both? the one i have now will do both, but i'm afraid that it's just not strong enough.

 

[smcnally]

The "feet" is head pressure. What kind of skimmer do you have? Maybe someone can recommend a pump.

 

[stevefromga2000]

i have a berlin skimmer, but i don't think that anybody on here has one. i've asked and got no response. oh well though

 

[MikeG]

I use to use one when I first got into the hobby. I put a Mag 9 on it after not having much luck with the Rio that comes with it. You could also probably use a Mag7 as well. You don't need any special pump to attach to the venturi for this skimmer. It works by forcing water under pressure (from the pump) through an openning that gets real small and speeds up the water velocity which pulls the air in through the tube.

For the price this is a very low end skimmer, they are very difficult to get working well consistently. Some of the other modifications are to replace the whole venturi piece, which is where the pump screws into in the base, with a kent or other better quality venturi. Also to replace the screw that is used to control the air flow with a true needle valve, and the tube with proper air line tubing. The problem with the screw is it just works by compressing the tube. Over time the tube becomes brittle and will not rebound after being compressed so you loose the ability to adjust the air flow precisely.

As you can see it is a lot of work to get these to work even relitively well. That is why for the price I think there are a lot better options out there. Good luck.