My Korilia pump died

[Paul B]

I really hate badly designed machinery, it drives me crazy.
This Korilia pump is only a couple of years old. The plastic bearings are shot.
I had to replace it with one of my 30 year old powerheads like the one pictured. Those things last forever.
I will try to rebuild this Korilia but I will eventually have to replace it with something better. They don't make good powerheads any more so it is going to be a problem finding something that is made well.
I doubt there are any American Manufacturers any more so I will have to build something out of parts which is a pain.

 

[asid61]

That's a Koralia? I wasn't aware they made those kinds of pumps.
Also, mcmaster.com sells all kinds of bearings, including plastic. You could order from there.

 

[SaltyReefDog]

I have a few of those old Aquaclear Power Heads like in the photo. I have always had good luck with them, they where pretty robust.

If you are looking for the same style of pump as the Aquaclear you can look into the cobalt aquatics pumps. They still produce the original MJ's that are made in Italy and not the new ones made in China by Marineland. I have a couple that have been going quite a few years now with no issues.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps/aquarium-powerhead-pumps/cobalt-aquatics.html

 

[Paul B]

I may be spelling "Korilia" wrong.
I may look into Cobalt pumps. Anything not made in China. I really don't want to go through the trouble to make one of these myself.

 

[Paul B]

I wrote to Koralia and they are doing the right thing. They are sending me some replacement parts that should correct the problem.
I started designing a new pump but I probably won't have to build it if the parts work. I was building one on the design of an outboard motor where the motor sits above and outside the water and the propeller works through a gear inside the tank just like an outboard motor.
I may finish the design just for fun as it should be interesting.

 

[EllieSuz]

I tried Koralia pumps and I didn't like the range of motion. The ball and socket design really limited the angle of flow, not to mention the mess if they separated. I second the Cobalt pump line. I use them for utility pumps, moving water around for changes, etc. So far, they have been ultra reliable.

 

[Paul B]

I have two Koralia pumps. One was given to me and one I bought from a member very cheap. As I said, my old pumps are still running after over 30 years, but they are large, heavy and make a lot of heat. I like the way the Koralia's are designed except for the fact that they need cleaning often and some of the parts could be better designed. I have some of those old pumps running for many years and I never touch them. One of them, I really can't even get to very easy. But it keeps plugging along. I never even cleaned the thing and it has been well over 10 years.
I still may build my outboard motor design. Pumps are about the only thing on my tank that I didn't build and I would like to just as a goof. Building is part of my hobby as well.

 

[ReefDabs710]

Both of mine for 30 gallon rimless cube died on me recently,
the impellers seem to not spin right in the water all of a sudden,
they more so just vibrate and not Spin as intensely and produce no flow.

So I aswell am forced to use old powerheads =(

There covered in coraline on the outside, I'm thinking maybe I should soak them in some vinegar. If there that covered on the outside I'm sure the inside mechanisms must have stuff preventing them from working.

 

[jhentr]

Hydor should do you right if you contact them (no questions asked). I had a two years old Magnum8 where the propeller magnet split up the middle. An email to them and in a week in a half, (got it today) I received a new magnet for my propeller. They might not make them as solid as the past, but they should be able to send you replacement parts.

 

[Paul B]

They are sending me replacement parts. Thanks