Recommended controllable pumps with Apex?

[zoohoot]

Are there specific brands/models of pumps/powerheads recommended for use with the Apex controller? Tunze, Hydor, etc?

Thanks!

 

[aquamanic]

If you're asking about controllable pumps then you have two choices - Tunze and VorTech. Tunze requires either the 'full size' Apex (not the Lite) or an AquaSurf module. The Vortech requires the WXM module.

 

[zoohoot]

The "controllable" hydors won't work with it? Thanks aquamanic.

 

[aquamanic]

Aren't they 12v? The Apex only outputs 0 - 10v.

 

[RussM]

The controllable Koralia pumps use a totally different technology for varying the pump speed than the Tunze Streams. They cannot be controlled by any commercially-available controller other than Hydor units.

 

[gig]

The "controllable" hydors won't work with it? Thanks aquamanic.

The EVO's, while not controllable, work fine using the OSC function via the the 4/8 outlets in the EB's.

 

[RussM]

The controllable Koralia pumps use a totally different technology for varying the pump speed than the Tunze Streams. They cannot be controlled by any commercially-available controller other than Hydor units.

Just for clarification... my statement applies to variable speed control. You can always do on/off control by plugging powerheads into an EB8 or DC8.

 

[aquamanic]

So I think the short answer is, if you want variable speed control then either Tunze or VorTech otherwise any pump will work.

 

[zoohoot]

Great info. Thank you so much!

 

[zoolan70]

I'm sure you know this, but in case you don't...only the EVOs won't break using the OSC to control flow. Regular Koralias will slowly break if they are cycled on and off. That was a relatively cheap lesson I learned on my small tank...they will get louder and louder until they no longer turn on. It is because they use a ratchet to make the shaft spin in the correct direction at power on. Over many on-off-on cycles, the ratchet will break off.

I'm not sure if it works that way with all other powerheads, but any propeller type have a similar problem unless they are designed for on-off cycling.

 

[gig]

I'm sure you know this, but in case you don't...only the EVOs won't break using the OSC to control flow. Regular Koralias will slowly break if they are cycled on and off. That was a relatively cheap lesson I learned on my small tank...they will get louder and louder until they no longer turn on. It is because they use a ratchet to make the shaft spin in the correct direction at power on. Over many on-off-on cycles, the ratchet will break off.

I'm not sure if it works that way with all other powerheads, but any propeller type have a similar problem unless they are designed for on-off cycling.

they will also spin backwards intermittantly, which is really annoying. I have 3 evo 1400's on my apex and they work flawlessly.