Koralia 3 or 4?

[Tilmo2180]

I plan on putting Koralia powerheads in my 80 reef. Should I get 3's or 4's? Tank is 48" long and has a sand bed. Not sure what ones to get, please help...

Steven

 

[P.Kelly]

I run a pair of Koralia 3'son my 92 gallon corner, which is 48" from corner to corner. I'm happy withe the flow for a mixed reef. If you want "high flow" then go with the 4's, but they are a bit more of an eye-sore.

 

[Tilmo2180]

That about what I was thinking. I dont want to blow the tank into a storm, but Im sure I need more flow than what I have now. Thanks for the help Pete.

Steven

 

[bladeruner143]

What garde is the sand you have? Because I have the fine grade, and if possible, I would stay away from the 4s because as it is now, my 3's create mini storms in my tank! then again, i have them in a 55g

 

[P.Kelly]

My sand is a medium grain for gobies and other burrowing fish. I have each above rockwork. No sand issues at all.

 

[bobbyblank]

I just purchased my second #3 this morning. I was running one until i could pick up a second. I have been VERY impressed with these pumps. Tons of non-directional flow, very quiet.....wow! Got the #3's local for about 49.99 at aquaworks. The number 4's are alot larger and can be an eyesore peter had mentioned IMO, and the 3's pump a ton for the size. They also have nano-versions that are pretty small. As for the sand, i have medium grain also, and only have a problem with a small patch of sand blowing on my front glass thats about 8 inches long, but keep in mind, i have the #3's in a 40 gallon .

To answer you question, i would go #3's. With an 80g, i think you would be fine, they also come with directional nozzles if you feel the flow isnt getting across your tank. All of this is just IMO.

Austin "MayorOfWhoVille" and his wife have #4's in their 55 gallon, maybe he could chime in. From what he has told me, they really blow! (In the good way)

 

[kevin95695]

If you want crazy "scare the kids" flow at a reasonable price and are semi-handy:

Take the spare low-watt MJ900 you got layin' around and mod it with the Gulf Stream 2 kit from Triton Aquatics. Superglue mounting magnets to the suction cup base though... Or envision your powerhead dropping and spewing water everywhere.

When my kids saw it blowing flow at my softies/LPS: It literally SCARED MY KIDS.

EDIT: Having it "crash the glass" seems to be effective, yet less violent at distributing the power.

 

[918ReefCpl]

Just received the new flow directors from Hydor that fit the nosecones of the K3 and K4 series pumps and the K4 no longer creates a wide sand trench in our 125 about 2ft from the pump output (mounted on (R) rear side wall - aimed across tank to (L) front corner) and into the output stream of a K3 going from (L) rear to (R) front..good mixture in the center of the tank...

 

[saltykelly]

I have a koralia 4 on my 30 gal. cube and I have no problems with sand or anything. Only problem is the eyesore issue.

 

[kevin95695]

Oh... On the magnet thing: Slide the outside magnet up the glass so it doesn't break the tank wall when the magnetism takes hold. And make sure your magnets are sealed (like in epoxy).

 

[bladeruner143]

Either way you go, you will LOVE these PHs!!!