koralia 4

T

timrandlerv10

New member
there is a hydor k4 for sale for $35. i was thinking about getting one for my new tank--a 65G. is that too much to use now in my 44G?

right now we just have a microjet, a 600 gph rotating PH, and the 200 gph return.
 
It really depends on what you want to keep in your 65, but a smaller one may work better for you.

By the way, I thought that you were setting up a 75G before.

Tomoko
 
...yeah, 75, thats what i said :)

while we're on flow, i've read several places where people have currents aimed at each other, which builds random flow where they hit each other--is that better than linear flow? or are some things linear and some things random?
 
Tim,
I would use extreme caution when dealing with these power heads. I am not one to bash vendors. But, Dobbs who posts here had a very nice tank that was thriving. He started losing things then had a major algae outbreak mean while all his numbers held true. Then finally it just crashed, losing most coral several fish and most every snail. Several folks looked at the tank including philip and nobody could pin point the issue. Thinking it had to be something in his water. Well finally Dobbs moved that power head while doing a water change over to one of his big trash cans to circulate water. He was about to reach into the water unknowingly to adjust the powerhead and right before he hit the water he noticed the hair on his arm rise, thinking that wasn't right he grabbed his meter, and he will correct me but I think he said it was dumping 14 volts into the water container. Needless to say his tank is literally dead, 90 gallons of it. I am sure there are many that are not doing this but you might want to look it up this seems to be an issue with several people. Sorry for the long post but after looking at his tank I don't want that to happen to anyone. Remember this was something that started slow and went on a long time probably just dumping a little more voltage each week.
 
um...wow!

brings up a completely different topic...how many people have their tanks grounded? i think nothing about shoving my arm in there every day (yeah, i know, i'm working on it!) with pumps, lights, skimmers, etc.

how do you ground it?
 
I'd call John at Coral Reef Aquatics in Athens (AL). He sells them and has always been very helpful whenever I've had questions about a product.

If you decide against that powerhead I'm sure he can get you what you want cheaper than other places.

He uses them in his own tanks so they must be decent. If you've ever been in his shop you know how great his display tanks and frag tanks look.

Harbour
 
I was thinking about the Koralia 4 for my 100G. I was aware of the voltage leak problem on the K3 and K4, but thought they took care of that with a recall. Perhaps that's why all of Sarris' suppliers only offer the K1 & K2 right now. If anyone has any current info on the voltage leak prob. I'd like to hear it. In the mean time, I'll see what I can dig up.
Tomoko, you seem to be very aware of wattage of pumps etc. What's a good alternative to the K4(1200 gph @8.5watts)?
 
I dont have but after seeing that my next order from one of the warehouses will have a grounding probe in it. Like I said I am not saying all of them experience these issues but I am saying that one did and he tested it seperately to verify it.
 
you know you can have a ground problem with any electric item you buy for a tank, i mean crap we are throwing electrical items in water and any company can screw up a pump all it takes is a fool in a bad mood on the line that day in a bad mood. i see that everyday where i work. i agree the grounding rod is the best answer to prevent any problem. its a risk we all take when we play in water with electrcity
 
its one thing to kill a fish or a coral, its another to kill a dad and business owner :(

i dont know why we all dont have our tanks grounded...guess i never really thought about it seriously until today...
 
Ground probe isn't a bad idea.. But really you should have your tanks on GFCI outlets.. If you do and you have a current leak the outlet will trip to let you know you have a problem. I would atleast plug your pumps and heaters into one..

I've got 2 Koralia's a 3 and a 4. I've got the 4 in a 40 breeder with a seio 1100. I've got the 3 in my other 40 with a seio 800. So is it to much flow for yours.. Maybe, maybe not.. Depends on whats in the tank. Really a 1200 gph pump is only about 30x turnover in a 40. For the pumps.. I like them myself.. I would keep an eye out for stray current' though since they have had some problems with it. If your looking for comparable pump. Your pretty much SoL.. Seio's are ok but use more power take up more room and have bad mounting brackets.. Now the Tunze Nano streams are alot like the Koralia's, But they move less water and cost alot more.
 
It's a very good idea to have both a GFCI outlet and a grounding probe. Some GFCI do not trip with a low stray current in the tank. A low stray current may cause your finger to tingle but does not kill you. However, corals and fish can be really irritated by it. A ground probe will eliminate it out of the tank. However, it's a very good idea to periodically inspect your electrical item that goes into your tank water such as powerheads and heater strips just in case.

Toytek

I just look at the specs of powerheads and pumps to compare. I am somewhat partial to Japanese and German equipment, though, since they are usually very reliable and durable as well.

Tomoko
 
I am using a GFCI in both my tanks, I will be buying a grounding probe with my next order. I have a Koralia 3 in my 72 gallon. I like it a lot. I want to get a K4. Tim, did you find that deal online or was it from a reefer?
 
I have no problem with my Koralia 4. It seems to have a wider flow pattern than a SEIO 1200.

Initially I had a SEIO 1200 in my 120G for circulation in addition to my Mag12 for return. It looked like a lot of flow back then. Xenia were blowing sideways and looked like they were about to take off from their rocks. However, as my SPS grew, they started to block the flow, and I needed to add another SEIO 1200. Then I added a Koralia 4 on top of it because my SPS's grew even bigger. I am afraid that I need to rearrange my rocks and SPS's now so that I don't have any weak flow area. It seems to be a catch 22 in my SPS dominated 120.

Tomoko
 
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