Powerhead for frag tank???

[Virginia Reef]

I'm setting up a frag tank in a 40g breeder. I will need some kind of powerhead for water movement.

There was a recent post about CP Pets having the Koralia 4 on sale for $45. This is a good price. This seems like way too much flow (1200 gph) for me. The Koralia 3 (850 gph) or Koralia 2 (600 gph) seem like better choices. Is the Koralia a good reliable powerhead? I do like the magnet base for ease of placement and direction.

Any thoughts on this or recommendations for other products are welcome.

 

[Doc's69]

Paul, I think I have two of the "3's" in a 90 gallon tank and there is good flow w/ my return and all, they seem to work well, lots of flow. IMO, Steve

 

[cayenne]

I have used and am still using Koralia's in my QT tanks and RO storage. I use to use them when I had my 55. I may even have an extra series 2 or 3 around here.

 

[WayneY]

mine have worked well for me also. I have heard of restart issues when used w/wavemaker. I run my 2- 3's in my 120g 24/7 but when I cut it off for WC's and it wont restart I just take my finger and give the impeller a little push to jump start it. Great indirect flow for the money IMO.

 

[dadyoj21]

if you need to order I have an old catalog from foster and smith

Koralia 2 35.99 code AKA-29129
Koralia 3 39.99 code AKA-29130

you may find better prices, but I shopped a month or so ago and don't remember better prices. Picked up the Koralia 2 for my 90. Also Hal had a 3 and said it was to much for his 55, you might want to check with him. That mag base is nice, better than standard suction cups that only last about six months if you are lucky.

 

[stripevt]

petmountain.com has them on sell now, also with orders over 65 take 10%off

 

[xcorallusx]

c and p said they arent on special anymore, so I ordered 2 of the k4's off aquacave.com they were like 47 bux and RC has a 5% off coupon. They also do free shipping over 175 so it was a nice deal.

 

[Virginia Reef]

Thanks for all the comments. Now to get down to it...how many and what model? A model 3? A 2? Two 2s? The tank is 36" x 18" x 17" for 40 gallons.

Landen, Do you have one in good working order you want to sell? Which model?

 

[xcorallusx]

I just ordered 2 k4's. If its too much flow for my 110 gallon tank, I may sell one.

 

[dadyoj21]

paul I am using the 2 and getting pretty good flow across the 90, I would think two 2s or one 3 would be plenty.

Just my 2 c, Hal said the 3 he put in his 55 is too much and was asking about trading his 3 for my 2

 

[WayneY]

the 3 did well in my 90 but lacking a little in the new 120

 

[ade]

IMO it all depends on if you are doing all sps or if you are going with a mix or corals. If I had the cash I would go with 2 x the new mp10.

 

[turbois300]

2nd Ade!

I have 2 K4's and a K2 in my 90 and it is pretty decent flow for a mixed tank. The vortec's are the way to go IMO. Control is so much more effective to this hobby and with the pulse and programing it makes the powerhead much more effective at water movement. It is a pretty decent expense but best to do it right the first time. Plus with the k4's the water movement is good but you are limited in your placement because they are strong and constant. Just my .02

 

[CWebHokie]

Vortechs are great and all but for 1/10 of the price, I will stick with my Koralias.

I've got 2 40 breeders with one Koralia in each. One tank is a frag style setup. (Eggcrate rack, very little live rock and no substrate) This tank has a #3 in it and seems to get excellent flow. The other tank is more of a display setup with live rock and sand bottom. This tank has a #4 which seems to work a little bit better because I can bounce it off the glass and disperse the flow around the rocks a little bit better. Either way, I would think you would be fine with a 3 or 4. A #4 may be a little bit too strong in a frag tank with smaller corals that could blow around easily. I have not used a #2, but I would think that one of them would not provide quite enough flow in a 40 breeder. Hope this helps, good luck in setting up your new frag tank!

 

[xcorallusx]

I got the 2 Koralia4s yesterday. One is plenty enough for my110. 2 of them running at once seemed a little much. If someone wants a basically brand new Koralia 4 Ill sell it for 45 bux. I was only used for 5 minutes yesterday. If not ill just save it for when I reseal my 75 gallon.

 

[whowadat]

I've got a 40 breeder and I'm running two Tunze Nano Stream 4025's One is back side corner and the other front side on the opposite corner. It makes a bit of a whirl pool effect but the LR seems to break it up some and if its too strong I'll do a little ricochet off the glass which I think would help.