Hydor Koralia Pumps

[apedroza]

Has anybody tried these new pumps from Hydor?? They are suppose to be similar to nanostreams but waaaay cheaper. I just ordered a 850gal one for $40+sh. Im curious to see how it performs to my nanostream. Thaks Sean for showing me this.

[cpreefguy]

If I woulda known Id of ordered one too and we could have split S/H...
I tried to look up reviews on RC and it seems like nobody has them yet...

[apedroza]

Yeah it was an impulse buy. I figured if I didn't like it I can still buy another nanostream and wouldn't be out a whole lot. Sorry!!

[cpreefguy]

yeah whatever :lol

[cpreefguy]

here is a link you might enjoy:
http://reef-builders.com/blog/

[apedroza]

Hmm now I'm really interested. If you noticed there was a noise issue with these as well Guees i'll seehow bad it is.

[apedroza]

Hey you know how impulsive I can be. Thats how I ended up with a sweet 70gal with 2 lumenarc MH's LOL :lol

[cpreefguy]

Yes!!!
Hey, have you seen my PS3? :innocent

[apedroza]

I'll check my son's pockets for extra cash :lol .

[JimD]

Hows that Eheim workin out for ya?

[apedroza]

It's working great! I was able to add a second return outlet and now I have return flow on both sides. Hows the MAG12 working?

[cpreefguy]

Hey Anthony which Eheim do you have?

[apedroza]

Its the 1262.

[JimD]

It's working great! I was able to add a second return outlet and now I have return flow on both sides. Hows the MAG12 working?

Seems to be working well, mucho mas bubble action!

[apedroza]

Great glad it worked out for both of us.

[jroescher]

I'm curious to know if you could use one of the these on a wave cycle.

[cpreefguy]

You can use them on AC wave controllers, but not start/stop timers

[caferacermike]

Sean could you elaborate? As in, I thought DC power was best for wave controlled motors. I have a Tsunami AC wave maker, but it is a start stop wave maker. What AC wave makers are not start stop units?

[cpreefguy]

Someone posted this after emailing Hydor about wavemakers:

Hello,

The Koralia should be available at retail sometime in Jan/Feb 2007 at retailers like Drs. Foster & Smith, That Fish Place, Marine Depot, and many other retail locations, etc.

The Koralia is not recommended for stop/start wavemakers, but it will work well on speed control wavermakers.

Sincerely,

Hydor USA, Inc.

[jroescher]

I'm going to guess that means controllers that slow the motor down, but not actually stop it. Maybe lower the voltage or something like that.

[apedroza]

So what kind of wave makers do that?

[caferacermike]

So what kind of wave makers do that?

Yeah that was in my question as well.

[apedroza]

I should be receiving my pump later this week I'll keep everyone posted.

[watson0720]

where did you order it from, how much was it?

[apedroza]

I ordered ti fro Dr.fosterand smiths it was 40+shipping.

[lhoy]

Yesterday, I ordered a #3 and #4 and will post reviews after they come in.

Lee

[apedroza]

Okay I just set my pump up and I must say I'm pretty impressed by the darn thing. It's not noisy, it puts out alot of flow (I got the 850gph). The cons I see with this is the size is bigger than the nanostream, (the 1, 2 are smaller) and the swivel part seems like it could break pretty easily. Also the magnet mount does not seem that strong, but the addition of the suction cups seem to keep it in place. For the price you get a nice alternative to the nanostream at a fraction of the price.

[lhoy]

Hope to get mine soon!!

Lee

[matt]

My nanostreams were about $60 each. One of the clamps that holds the pump cracked recently; I sent a PM to Roger, the tunze rep, and had a new one the very next day. Tunze stuff is pricey, but I'm impressed with the customer service.

[apedroza]

Yeah I agree tunze is top of the line, but these pumps are great alternatives, and this thing puts out alot of flow. Can't beat the price.

[lhoy]

Ok, well after a few hours I must say I am very impressed with these pumps. I bought a #4 (1200 gph) and a #3. (850). Compare that to my nanostreams 6025 (660 gph). I have all four in my 75.

Comparison between two:
1.) I agree the magnets seem a little weaker, but I prefer it because putting the nanostreams on actually made me nervous.
2.) The strenght of the plastic seems pretty equivalent, with the very end of the Hydor seeming a little weaker.
3.) PUtting my hand in the front of all three, yea, the bigger Hydor make a HUGE difference. Given the price difference between the Tunze 6060 and the #4, I am VERY happy.
4.) The rubber gasket around the magnets makes it much niecer looking in tank and out.
5.) The openings to the impellor are larger and a small fish or shrimp getting in their is in big trouble, but with flow rate I don't expect it to happen.
6.) The biggest challenge is putting the in tank magnet and pump together. I felt I had to apply enough pressure that the red mount part could break. That needs some attention.

Overall, tickled to death with my purchase. Oh yea, did I mention I got the #4, the #3, adn a huge bottle of carbon for $30 less than a Tunze 6060?
The biggest proof is the difference in the bubbletip anemone, , the greater extension on the SPS polyps and the LPS are starting to get use to the flow even.

Here are some photos?

All the items in the box:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007001.jpg

Here is the red part I was describing as being somewhat difficult to insert in pump:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007002.jpg

Size comparison between #3 on left and #4 on right:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007003.jpg

Another comparison:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007004.jpg

In tank #4:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007011.jpg

In tank #3:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007013.jpg

I cleaned off the nano's so debris would be floating so I could see flow patterns in tank (notice the surface agitation). These replaced 2 Maxijet's 1200 and the difference is not even funny. Won't waste money on 1200's again for flow. (crappy picture but not for looks)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007007.jpg

The anemone is much larger, bouncing around beautifully and looks way more natural in its movements. It has also extended tentacles way more.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/1-25-2007014.jpg

[lhoy]

Forgot to mention not having a problem with lots of sand blowing either.

Lee

[caferacermike]

Can you posta good pic of the unit in tank? AS in a full tank shot to see what it looks like.

[lhoy]

Mike,

I will post one in a little bit after done watching CSI.

Lee

[5.0Stang]

Might have to get some of these

[watson0720]

i am all over those, gonna order me too of them on the first

[apedroza]

Yeah these are nice little pumps. After a day in my tank the Pe on my sps is crazy. The flow is alot more dispersed and less chaotic than it was with the seio 820. Now I have to figure out what to do with my brand new 6025 tha I ordered.

[apedroza]

Was it ever established which wavemakers these can run on? Would the wave master work?

[cpreefguy]

No, the wave master wont work, or any other wavemakers that turn the pump off, then on. They will work on wavemakers that slow the pump down and speed it up, but never turn it off.
What Ive gathered from reading all of the threads on RC is this:
The Koralia pumps are AC, so are Seios, so in theory since these are AC pumps and the Seio controller is an AC controller, they SHOULD work on the Seio controller...

[bozack]

bringing this back up as I am looking at getting several Koralia's but am looking for feedback on the controllers.
SOunds like the wavemaster's won't work so has anyone tried a Seio or natural wavemaker with these yet?
Curious on noise...

[Ram_Puppy]

ok..

I ordered two of these from fosters & smith tonight since they are in stock, and on sale ($39.99 for model 3)

I have been researching controllers for them all day, and I have only found two that MAY fit the bill.

The first is obviously the SEIO controller, but I am worried about the fact that everywhere I find one it specifically points out it is only for the SEIO/RIO pumps. I can't see how that would really be an issue, but I am no electrician, so I am not sure.

The other one I have found is the Aqua-Medic Wave - which also does variable speed control... the only problem w/ that one is documentation. from what I can discern it is variable speed, but it also does total shut down of pumps... this may be offset by a soft start on the pumps... not sure... at 40$ though, I might be willing to just replace the hydors every year or two if the stopping and starting damages them... but I am more worried about the noise.

Mine should be here on thursday.

[DaBird47]

I got a #4 from CB on fri. and love the flow in my 75, Haven't tried to hook it to a WM...

[apedroza]

I tried my koralia on my seio controller and it seemed to work fine. No noise from the pump when slowing or speeding up. I only left it connected for s few hours but it seemed to work.

[Ram_Puppy]

thanks for the info - I have a e-mail into aqua-medic usa to get clarification on how their product works. but I am not sure if i see a reason now, if the SEIO controller works, it's 50$ cheaper.

[bozack]

I also e-mailed Hydor directly just to see their response, to see if they either made any adjustments to work on any wavemaker or recommended certain wavemakers.

[Ram_Puppy]

cool, sounds like were making progress.

[bozack]

Hey guys,

Some feddback requested. Since I am not in to figuring the whol GPH needed in my tanks...
What are peoples thoughts of adding some of these Hydor's in my 20-25 gallon tall and 150 gallon?

I was thinking 2 #3 for the 150 and 2 #1 for the smaller tank. Wasn't sure if those were too much or not enough flow.......

[DaBird47]

the #4 that I put in mt 75 seems about right for what I was looking for...It doesn't stir up the sand or blow the corals over, and it really moves the surface water...

[bozack]

Not much help for recommendations from Hydor but here is what they sent me:

In order to start in the right way, some time the impeller come out
of the motor and come into the right way.
For this reason with a normal wave maker (that gives on or off), many time
the pump could start with that principle.
In my opinion, that kind of wave maker could be dangerous for the fishes,
they could come into the chamber impeller when the pump is in off.
We are studying a new wave maker (probably ready to sell at the end of this
year) for our Koralia, it doesn't come in off directly but decreasing
gradually the frequency of the impeller.
In this way, the impeller will be never stopped and the fishes can not come
inside the chamber impeller.
Anyway, We are doing also a component to apply in our Koralia, in this way,
it can be used in various Wavemakers, I think that it will be available in
about 3 month.

At your disposal for any further informarion
Best Regards

Christian Rossi
Technical Manager

HYDOR S.r.l.
Bassano del Grappa (VI) - ITALY
www.hydor.com
crossi@hydor.com

[apedroza]

So they are making a controller similar to the seio controller. The seio one slows the pump down to 50% power then ramps it back up.

[bozack]

sure sounds like it. Also heard that from reef central too that they were.
The fact they are working on something to make them work on the other controllers is nice too.