Powerheads and Wavetimer Recommendations

[rrasco]

I have 2 Koralia Magnum 8s that were intended for the 210, but since that tank has been replaced by the much smaller 105, those pumps are now overkill. I am only running one of them on the 105 and am still getting too much flow, plus I'd like to spread it out a little more than one pump turning the tank into a whirlpool. I decided a while back I was going to get some smaller pumps, but then I figured why not put them on the a timer. I've been looking at a few systems and wanted to know if anyone had experience with them.

First up, the Koralia Evo 1400s on a Hydor Smart Wave. I read lots of reviews on these and am still hearing mixed results about the Koralias clicking on start or starting in reverse. The Evos are supposed to fix this, and some claim they have, some claim they haven't. Mr Saltwater Tank said they were good and he did not have these issues. I like the Koralias I currently own, so I was leaning this way.

Then, I discovered the JBJ Oceastream 1600GPH kit. It's $100, comes with 2 1600GPH powerheads, and a timer. This kit has good reviews on MarineDepot and is about 30% less expensive than what the Hydor system would run me. I like the Hydor controller a little more with the different modes it has, the JBJ I believe is limited to alternating current and has no power switch or feed mode. Anyone used this system?

Is there anything out there I am missing? I refuse to buy the Vortechs, they may be nice, but they are pricey, very pricey, and they are supposedly loud anyways. I see so many people throw them into the discussion, but IMO, that's like telling me to buy a Ferrari when I'm just looking for something to go kind of fast. Sure, I'd like a Ferrari, but it's not in the budget and I can go just as fast in a more economical model.

[Europhyllia]

I've never had powerheads made by JBJ but I've used their fans and their lighting and both were disappointing. Could have just been a fluke but I'd be hesitant to go with that brand again.

(PS: I did not find my Vortechs to be loud at all. You just got to be smart about it and not get carried away thinking bigger is better. If you plop a MP 60 into your little 250g tank ... well it's your own fault)

[350gt]

If I wasn't running mp40s, I would be running the hydor system. Just cause i have used there Evo models and was happy with them...

The vortechs are pricey without a doubt. They make noise, but are no louder than my skimmer return and over flowing water..... Alot of noise is made if the units are not aligned or neglected as I found out recently..

[Cammed_02]

I run the koralia evo 1050s and both I noticed would startup backward when hooked to my wavemaker. Turns out the cover has a rubber piece that holds the impellar in place and both were missing on my powerheads. I emailed hydor and had replacement covers sent out a week later and they have been fine since.

They are a pretty powerful PH, I would suggest running them if you're looking to save come cash.

[rrasco]

I guess I'll scratch JBJ off my list. No point in wasting money.

I've been very happy with my current Koralias. I know the new Evos are supposed to have that bumper, but some people claim that's where they hear the thud, as they refer to it.

I'm actually a lot closer to considering something like an MP10, because it's only about $50-70 more than the Koralia system I am planning, but I am hesitant to think one MP10 would be okay for my 105. 2 are out of the question based on cost. It's 48x24x21.

[rrasco]

Looks like an MP10 is out of the question as the tank is rimless and has 1/2" glass. MP10 is only good for up to 3/8" glass and I definitely can't afford an MP40.

[klwheat]

Looks like an MP10 is out of the question as the tank is rimless and has 1/2" glass. MP10 is only good for up to 3/8" glass and I definitely can't afford an MP40.

So, sell the Koralia's you have, and get the MP40 instead :) I know that the MP40 on mine is not loud at all...unless I have it cranked on high, and even then it's no louder than my overflow. Can't touch it for flow though...this thing is impressive! Also, no need for separate wavemaker as all the functionality is built in :) (just my $0.02)

[rrasco]

I can't fathom dropping $500 on one powerhead. I'd rather buy an M4. I ordered the two K1400s and the smart wave. I thought about selling my Magnum 8s, but I already put one on a FW 150 and am saving the other one for the 210. Thanks for your input though, I'm sure I'll end up with a Vortech one day.

[Mr Cob]

in regards to mp10's on thicker glass:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2023381

It's not recommended but people are doing it without any issues.

[Scutterborn]

I am consistently having issues with my evo's starting up in reverse. Consistently.

[rrasco]

I am consistently having issues with my evo's starting up in reverse. Consistently.

The new versions have a bumper that prevents the prop from starting in reverse. If your evos don't have this bumper, contact Hydor and they will send you the parts...so I hear.

[rrasco]

in regards to mp10's on thicker glass:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2023381

It's not recommended but people are doing it without any issues.

Thanks, and while a few people said it worked, I actually got more anecdotes that said 3/8 was as thick as they would try. I think it will work, but you run the risk of it getting knocked off easily or falling on it's own.

[klwheat]

Out of curiousity...how much did the koralia setup you bought end up running you?

[rrasco]

It was around $150 from Amazon. $54 for each powerhead and $52 for the smart wave. I think I paid $180 shipped, two day, but I also have some nitrile long gloves on that order as well. Not too shabby considering most places have the smart wave for $69.99, like MD.

What I like about the smart wave is I can use it as a timer for multiple tanks, for example, the frag tank I plan to setup in the fish room. That will work well as the smartwave is already planned to be in the fish room. Each outlet on it can support up to 100W which is something stupid like 16 K1400s. I could put a power strip on each of its outlet and run PHs off of each to all my tanks. One timer for everything would be suh-weeeeet.

[klwheat]

sounds like a good choice at the price for ya! enjoy!

[rrasco]

Yep, I'm happy with it. We'll see if I have any of the noise or startup issues are having. I'll report back here after I get them setup.

[LuckySingh]

Sound like a plan bro....gud luck looking forward on this build

[rrasco]

I have a build thread if you're interested...

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?70602-DSA-105-NEO-Rimless-Reef

[rrasco]

You know what drives me crazy.....when you have new toys sitting on your porch and have to wait at work to go home and play with them. You guessed it, my Hydor system is at my house. I hope nobody steals it, I'm always worried about packages sitting on my porch during the day.

[zerreissen]

I'm using two Evo 750's controlled by my Apex. I had them on a 5 minute interval for a while, just switched to 1 minute interval for the heck of it. One of the Evo's now clicks upon startup, but it's really not noticeable.

[rrasco]

I have had mine running for a week now. I played with all the settings to see how it would work. It does have a small click when it starts. From what I understand, this is what prevents the prop from starting backwards. With them on a lower interval, like 30 seconds or 1 min, I could notice it more because it was more frequently switching. I ran it at 6 hours for a day and for now I've settled on 15 min intervals. That way it only clicks a few times an hour and I can't even notice it. I occasionally hear it flip over, but that's only if the house is empty and quiet. So far I'm happy with them. Of course, since only 1 is running at a time, I want a little more flow from each of them. I may eventually upgrade to the next step, which I believe is the magnum 5. We'll see, I'm happy for now.

[dsachs09]

I am consistently having issues with my evo's starting up in reverse. Consistently.

Do they ever turn back the right way? I tried moving one to the opposite side of the tank and it still runs backwards. (JK)