Powerhead switching - timer interval?

[toddbigeasy]

What time intervals do you use for switching your powerheads? I am setting up a new 70, have 2 Koralia 3rd Gen 2400 Powerheads and the Hydor Controller where I can switch from a few seconds up to 6 hours... Just curious how often you switch back and forth in your tanks? I am thinking about every 5 minutes? Not sure why, just feels right...)
thanks,
Todd

 

[mcgyvr]

With those powerheads I never would..
Just leave them on and sell/trash the controller..

The "controller" (stopping/starting) shortens the life of the powerheads. And can make some annoying sounds in doing so..

If you want "controllable" then by ones intended to do so that run on DC and their speeds can be ramped up,etc... Vortech, Gyre, Tunze, Jebao,etc...

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have some Koralia powerheads in my 65g shallow reef and I'm about ready to pitch them as they are starting to fail and make noise. I'm looking at replacing them with Coral Box wavemakers which just came out.

But since you have them, any time frame is OK. It's about how best to randomize the flow in your particular tank. I've had some set up as tidal flow and switch every 6 hours and others that switch every 5 minutes. It really doesn't matter in my opinion.

 

[toddbigeasy]

okay, I was under the impression the new and improved Third Generation had improved motors and could be "The new Koralia pumps can also be hooked up to a wavemaker or controller." and I hear no noise when they shut on.

 

[Heuristic]

I have the same controller and I have it set for 6 hours, but I am probably going to get rid of it. There's no real reason why I shouldn't just have them on at all times.

I am just going to set it up in a way that I can easily turn them both off when it's feeding them

 

[toddbigeasy]

I was thinking varied flow patterns would be best. As per what I have been reading. but now that I think about it, both going at the same time would provide a mix of flow in my size "squarish" tank.

 

[Heuristic]

Ya, I have them both running on opposite sides of the tank. One kind of angled straight across and slightly down, the other aiming to the other corner and up. Seems to get good flow all around the tank

 

[mcgyvr]

okay, I was under the impression the new and improved Third Generation had improved motors and could be "The new Koralia pumps can also be hooked up to a wavemaker or controller." and I hear no noise when they shut on.

Thats what they have said about all generations..
But its possible that they have attempted to correct the issue (I doubt it really as I'm sure its still using a synchronous motor.. but they may have redesigned the "bumper" to take more abuse)


A synchronous motors speed is tied to line frequency (that you can't change) and typically they will start backwards 50% of the time because of the nature of AC/Frequency.. In doing so they have a bumper thats supposed to get hit by the impeller and cause the impeller to switch directions thus righting the backwards start..
That bumper used to just shear off after a few backwards starts then the powerhead would be spinning backwards quite often with no bumper to correct it..

But its up to you if you want to run the controller... Personally I would not..

 

[WatDatThing]

They make loud sound every time they come on. So forget about putting them on interval timmer. When running, they are silent compare to Jebao PP4.

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