hydor vs vortech

[ramirifi]

hi, i am updating to 600 l cube , and that will be just for short time till i will have my new tank 200x80x60 or 70 cm ( i am not sure for the high yet)
1. the question is witch wavemaker system to choose ,( i don't want to spend more than 500 $ for now
to go for hydor with two pump or to get one vortech witch will be the same price for now and get a secound one later when i will have the new tank .
2. will two vortech will be enougth for the new tank .
any other suggestions are appreciated

 

[Aqua Keepers]

vortech all the way

 

[Mr. Brooks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13882789#post13882789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
vortech all the way

+1

 

[MikeCentore]

^ +2

 

[kingsland]

+3

 

[IFbettas]

I have used koralias because I didn't have the money for the vortechs, but I would say go for the vortech.

 

[bzotter]

the koralias work well i've used them for years. never used their wave generator though, can't say much for that. that said, if you have the money to spend, go for the vortechs, high quality product and their wave driver is really solid too.

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13883622#post13883622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IFbettas
I have used koralias because I didn't have the money for the vortechs, but I would say go for the vortech.

I've skimped by with the koralias and maxi-mods as well in the past, but since upgrading (I went the tunze route, but vortech would be a draw) I couldnt be happier.

 

[Jflip2002]

Koralias arent in the same conversation as Tunze and Vortechs.

 

[tewkes]

Yeah Koralias are for the peasants don't you know! Geesh!

With that said I have two koralia magnums. No they do not go on a wavemaker, no they aren't externally mounted like the vortech, and no they don't cost $400+ each. Yes they are fookin huge like a softball, but I happen to like the look.

I know Vortechs are the shiznit (yeah I said it) and all but for a cube size tank I feel it is overkill. For a long tank 5'+ I would go with a vortech hands down but I couldn't see how I could position it in my 150 cube. You can't aim the head like you can with koralias.

Bottomline, if you have the money and want to join the vortech elitest club then go ahead. I would if I could afford to. Otherwise koralias will serve you well for the price tag on them.

 

[Jflip2002]

I think those Magnums are solid options. I was actually looking at the larger magnums for my 190g. Im not saying theyre crap... just not in the Tunze or Vortech class.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13883871#post13883871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
Koralias arent in the same conversation as Tunze and Vortechs.

+1

I had to click on the thread, because I had to see what this comparison was all about... :lol:

Just picked up a Vortech mp40w for my cube tank, and it rocks! The controls really let you dial the thing in for any size tank you could ever want to run it on.

 

[tufacody]

Hmmm, I'd take my koralias over Tunze, but not over Vortech.

 

[GoBigOrGoHome]

Koralias are not good for a wavemaker, but considering you could buy 3 koralia magnums for the price of a vortech, why not go for it? I don't run vortechs, but i've seen them run, so i know how good they are, and yes, I suppose, if you're an equipment junkie who can't stand too much clutter and equipment inside the tank, the vortech is worth it. But personally, I have 7 koralias running right now, and I like every one of 'em. In my DT, there's 4 koralias, but you can only see one, no matter how hard you look, because the other three are well-hidden within the rock work.
Vortech is better, yes. However, koralias have the versatility of changing angle of flow, and considering you can buy 3 koralias for the price of one vortech in general, your options are bigger with the koralia. The variable speed on the vortech is pretty cool though...... I think I just made things more difficult. Oh well.

 

[hoosierpat]

The poster is referring to the controllable korallias. The controller is extremely expensive for the options for flow that it provides. The pumps themselves are affordable but can't be used without the controller unlike the tunzes or vortechs. I prefer the tunzes because you have more options to aim them and rotate them than with the vortechs. I would go with some 6101 tunzes which will work without a controller and then you can buy a controller later when the tank is ready for it.

 

[DiscoReefRover]

I run 2 6101s on a neptune aqua surf I can make them do anything the vortech can do and more ...not knockin vortechs at all but comparing Any of the Koralia line up with a vortech is comparing a volkswagen to a porche sure there both german but it ends there !!!

 

[Bernie21]

From what I understand & correct me if Im wrong, the way a wavemaker works is because the pumps shuts on & off at timed intervals creating a wave, no??? If this so is the case, Koralia's are horrible for shutting on and off, they often get stuck in off mode, where they need a slight tap to get back started. Koralias are good for flow, because you can adjust their flow in any direction and they are so much cheaper than expensive stuff & so much better & cooler looking than the cheaper stuff, but I'd go w a Tunze or Vortech if I had the dough, specially if it is for a wavemaker!

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Do some searching guys. There's a couple different types of koralias and different types of wavemakers. You have regular koralia pumps, koralia magnums, and wavemaker koralias. Also, not all wavemaker controllers turn pumps on/off.

I use the original K4's (the ones that your not supposed to run on wavemakers) on Seio controllers. The Seio does not turn pumps on/off. It slows them down to 50% then speeds them up to 100%

 

[GoBigOrGoHome]

Interesting. It is very important not to turn koralias completely off, because like said above, sometimes they have trouble starting. With a SEIO controller, this may not be so much of a problem.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

The Magnums have a new electronic start up system, and new technology rotors and propellers that are supposed to make them compatible with on/off wavemakers. However, I cannot confirm this. They do have much more flow than the original koralias, but you can mod the originals with different propellers and get the same kind of flow. I'm getting around 3000 GPH out each of my K4's. Koralia Wavemaker Controller is nice but very expensive for the options you get. Don't forget that you can only use the Koralia 12V controllable pumps with the Controller. Not the Magnums nor original Koralia pumps. I just wanted to clear up the confusion. I still vote for Vortech.