Koralia vs Vortech vs Wavebox

Robb in Austin

Robb in Austin

New member
Howdy all!

I'm in the process of setting up a 75(upgrading) and am looking for feedback on flow options.

I'm setting it up with Beananimals silent/failsafe overflow, with either a Mag 9.5 or Eheim 1262 for return.

(My 58g is using a Koralia 2 and 3 for flow. My initial thought was just to use these on the 75.)

Considering the controllable Koralia's(probably 2 K3), Tunze Nano wavebox, or the Vortech mp40, and maybe controllable Tunze streams.

Pros/cons/opinions wanted!

Thanks,
Robb
 
If you are going to spend the money I would go with the vortech. i have one and love it. The small size is a good feature in smaller aquariums. I personally don't like the look of Koralia's, which is why I got rid of mine. I am thinking the nano wavebox would look pretty big in a 75...just a thought.
 
If you want cheap decent flow go with the korilans.

If you want waves use a tunze wave box.

If you want some of the best flow in a small package use a Vortech.


Went from 2 K4's in my 90 to 2 MP40W's and its night and day difference.
 
Koralias dont compare in my opinion.
I am running a dart closed loop and a vortech mp40w on my 58!
Tunze wavebox creates a much smoother/slower wave in my opinion, vortechs wave is a little quicker. But the wavebox takes up quite a bit of room and not really using the wave with the existing water level of my tank. Next tank will be made for a wave!
 
I'm setting it up with Beananimals silent/failsafe overflow, with either a Mag 9.5 or Eheim 1262 for return.
I have a similar setup w/ coast-to-coast overflow and a Blueline Velocity (T4?). Excellent setup!!!

(My 58g is using a Koralia 2 and 3 for flow. My initial thought was just to use these on the 75.)

Considering the controllable Koralia's(probably 2 K3), Tunze Nano wavebox, or the Vortech mp40, and maybe controllable Tunze streams.

I'm currently running two Sureflow 600 Maxis' and have ran two Koralia K3s' with success (borrowed from a friend temporarily). If I were to redo the PH on my Swilerstein, I would put a controllable Koralia on it and another in the opposite corner.

If you do a Vortech, your limited to one head for cost sake. The new Vortech's could be a cost effective way.

As for Tunze, I have not been impressed with build quality and haven't bothered to drop the coin to experiment.

Below I have listed what I would do if I started from scratch again:
1) closed-loop
2) Vortech (x2)
3) Koralia K3 (I prefer the Maxi's since they have been tried and true for 8 years, plus the Sureflow kit cost another $15 each)

Another method for flow you could implement is a surge device. I'm in the beginning stages of refining mine for bubble control. Looks to be quite promising for a tidal burst for my SPS. I've also constructed a Swirlenstein on my Maxi which helps to make the flow more turbulent. Couldn't pry that SS with Maxi from my cold dead fingers (mainly b/c I think it's attached at this point).

There are so many ways to increase flow in a tank that the only way you will find what works for you is to try a little bit of everything. If you in the initial planning stages, a closed-loop can stealthly meet ALL your needs.

HTH,
 
I just purchased the MP40 for a 70 that I'm building. Put it on my 30 for now. It is wonderful. I keep it close to the lowest setting right now. You can vary the output and the pulses independently and infinitely.
 
i replaced two koralia 3s with the mp40W. Insane flow! When I turned it on I noticed it reached areas in my 75g that the two koralias couldn't reach. I had some nuisance algae on a piece of live rock for the longest time. Within minutes of turning on the mp40w the algae was gone! Not to mention all of the control options. The mp40w can't be compared to the koralia. They are two different animals.
 
Koralias now cool in 4 sizes larger than the old 4, and they work with the Hydor Wavemaker. A Koralia 8 pushes 3500 GPH and you have the added advantage that you can angle them in different directions. The Vortechs are cool but they are super expensive and they only point perpendicular to the surface they are on, they lack flexability.

I run a Hydor 4-way wavemaker in my 65 reef with 2 K3s and 2 K2s and i don't have any problems with "dead spots". For the price of 2 Vortechs you could get a *****en Koralia set-up.
 
I use vortecs in my 215 . I am pretty happy with them. except they are crazy expensive. I tucked some pumps behind my rockwork to keep the detritus from settling.I am using a total of pour pumps behind the rocks. 1st I tried 2 koralias, not real impressed with the koralia #4's power. then I tried the maxi jet 1200 with that sure grip mod. I think the maxijet flows way more than the koralias and are cheaper. I am going to sell the koralias and get more maxi jets with the mod. oh ya , and the maxijet is way smaller, but doesnt come with the magnet so they prob cost about the same if you need the magnet
 
I had one Vortech on my 120 and it was good. Purchased another Vortech and now its incredible. Sure they cost, but I'm not in this Hobby to be cheap and want to enjoy it. The Vortech gives me the piece of mind to be able not think about circulation its just handled. I run mine on reefcrest mode.

Jason
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14837136#post14837136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kretzkiller
If you are going to spend the money I would go with the vortech. i have one and love it. The small size is a good feature in smaller aquariums. I personally don't like the look of Koralia's, which is why I got rid of mine. I am thinking the nano wavebox would look pretty big in a 75...just a thought.
Click to expand...

+1
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14837136#post14837136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kretzkiller
If you are going to spend the money I would go with the vortech. i have one and love it. The small size is a good feature in smaller aquariums. I personally don't like the look of Koralia's, which is why I got rid of mine. I am thinking the nano wavebox would look pretty big in a 75...just a thought.
Click to expand...

Truly if your going to spend the coin on the Vortech and you have some DIY skill a closed-loop will spank the Vortech. A Variable-frequency drive, Baldor DC motor, and a Reeflo impellor housing and you have a system that the Vortech cannot compete with. For the extra expense of some plumbing and a little time,, why not go over the top? With the VFD you can vary the frequency and strength of the pulsing to mimic a near real reef crest. Liveforphysics made one and was shooting water over the tank walls with the velocty cranked up.

Just the extreme side of me coming out....
 
Designing the hardware with the variable frequency drive is one thing, doing the software is another;) Debugging and writting is not a trivial matter, then you have to load it on something to run it, a lap top perhaps?

No for me a Vortech because it just plain works, and work well, and its been reasonably debugged.


Jason
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14844633#post14844633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JasonD
Designing the hardware with the variable frequency drive is one thing, doing the software is another;) Debugging and writting is not a trivial matter, then you have to load it on something to run it, a lap top perhaps?

No for me a Vortech because it just plain works, and work well, and its been reasonably debugged.


Jason
Click to expand...

Agreed it is not for those versed in DIY, electronics, and some fluid dynamics. It would likely be VERY overkill for a 75 (definitely too much for my 58). But for $800+ for two Vortechs, I'll spend the extra time on design and building and have what I want not what someone else is trying to get me to buy. As I stated in my first post, the Vortech is a close second behind a VFD config IMHO.

As for the programming, I admit I may take this for granted as I'm familar with PLC programming from my job. I also realize the laptop issue for some, but I'm a techy and forget some don't have the same access to equipment as most of us in the technical fields.

To each their own with equipment choices and system methodology, as there is no right way but many that achieve the same end goal.
 
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