I have 2 of the old style HKs that came with my tank. I think they are getting old. I can get a couple of these evolitions and the smartwave but wanted to see if anyone thinks they are worth it? There is just no way i can justify buying vortechs, but im open to other ideas om brands. Anyone have any feedback on the evolutions? Also where do you guys buy your MH bulbs online?
hydor kor evolution pumps
- Thread starter crankbait
- Start date
I have a bunch of Hydor Evolutions, 3 x 750's and 1 1050. They all have the issue of sometimes starting in reverse. It's really annoying because the evo's grill design is very tight which will tend to hold detritus, so whenever they do start it reverse, it blows everything out into your tank. I watched the smartwave controller in action at the LFS, and their evo's started in reverse half the time. If i could do it over again I would of purchased a single mp40. Then again, who ever has that much money laying around to purchase a single small item.
mastershake72
New member
The Vortechs are great pumps and everyone says they are worth the money but I have trouble believing that pushing water is worth that price tag. In the past I have used Koralia with few issues but it would start in reverse from time to time. I would recommend Tunze as a pump with fewer issues that also is brand name and has good customer service history. It costs a bit more that Koralia but I would say it is worth it. Some pumps like the nanostream 6045 are controllable in terms of GPH output which is nice.
d0ughb0y
Active member
I use 2 1050 and 2 1400 for over a year now and never had the reverse start issue. I turn them on for 40 minutes and off for 20 minutes using and old ac jr controller. So I have 20 minutes 1050 on, 20 minutes all 4 are on, then 20 minutes 1400 on. you can only alternate on and off using smartwave. imho, you don't need a controller, just keeping them on all the time is perfectly fine.
I started out with the old korailas, then moved to vortech, then tunzes, and now back to the new koralias. they all can do the job if setup correctly, but koralias can do it for less.
I started out with the old korailas, then moved to vortech, then tunzes, and now back to the new koralias. they all can do the job if setup correctly, but koralias can do it for less.
make sure the grills are fully intact. there is a little bumper on the inside of the grill that starts the pumps in the right direction. as long as that is there you should be good. i just emailed hydor, and they are sending me 2 new grills free of charge because i noticed mine had broken out and started to run backwards
submersible
Member
+1 Their customer service is A+. I emailed them when one of my impellers froze up. I asked them where I could buy a new one, and they sent me a one, free.
I've read of the 1050 and experienced my own 1050 start in reverse, though much much less often than the 750 which is what most people are running and complain of the issue. I don't think i've read of any 1400's with the issue. I've checked to see if my rubber stopper is in place in all my pumps along with the supposed bushing in question, it was also in the right position.
water junky
New member
I ran 2 1400's for about a year continuous. For the price I think they're great. I just recently bump up to 2 mp40's (definitely much nicer). The flow out of the coralia pump is a lot more focused than the ecotech's flow. When I was using the coralias I snipped out a lot of the gaurds (about 1/2) to keep them from plugging up so quick. It helped out a lot. I'd go with them again if I didn't have the $$ for the mp40's.
i have over 15 different hydors in 6 tanks and the only problem i have had is that on a 1050 and 1400 the magnet on the impellars split causing the pump not to run other than that they run perfect and are a great bang for the buck. That said the flow and upflow on my mp40 blow them out of the water.
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