tunze vs koralias

[Altpers0na]

i cleaned out my power heads yesterday..

i have 2 45's and 1 k4

after i toothbrushed the hair algae and other crud out of the heads, its all flying around the tank...

i grab my handy air pump and tube.. and blow bubbles into my power heads..

keeping in mind that the heads are in different places, blowing variously..

the k4 blew the bubbles further and wider than the tunzes..

it could be the shape of the rock , or counter currents, but i get a better blow pattern from the k4...

i know people are adamant on both sides, so i figured i would stir the pot abit..

 

[Tazbader]

I think you'll be seeing more of the vortech pumps around anyway as they don't seem to be ordering any more tunze stuff at the shop here.... p.s. I like my k4's too... (keep them clean) stir stir

 

[Altpers0na]

the store over on here has tunz of tunze..

if i were more serious about things i would defiantly go with the wave box, but my 3 powerheads do the trick for now..

 

[phljess]

Yes, I believe tunze is starting to actually see some competition coming their way. There are also some new Taam pumps coming out that might be nice. The only problem I see with the korallias are they seem to breakdown quite often or have electrical difficulties. The vortechs are quite impressive also I think they have worked out most of their problems. I like the wireless ability of the vortech. The only drawback with them is you can not direct them in the tank. I also see where pacific coast imports are coming out with some new pumps. It looks like there will be numerous powerheads to choose from soon. I think it is time for tunze to really come out with something phenomenal or lower prices some. I think it is ridiculous you pay about $400.00 for a pump and it does not come with a magnet.

 

[firefish2020]

I think it is ridiculous you pay about $400.00 for a pump and it does not come with a magnet.

Could not agree more, but it does come with a bit of a legacy that these newer powerheads will have to earn on there own and that will take time. Personally I just don't know which I will be running on my new tank Tunze or Vortech? I'll choose one eventually but until that time my 6100s and wavebox have never had a serious problem that buying a new impeller did not solve (so far). As far as I can see Hydor is going a bit overboard with there new Koralia V2 pumps and "wave controller" they are far more expensive than Tunze or Vortech and the quality and reputation are just not there IMO. BTW Tunze has released some new product, you can see those in the Tunze forum and they are still the top competitor for now but quickly loosing ground to Vortech IMO. As for not being able to direct the Vortechs, you don't have to, the flow pattern is far wider and varied on these pumps compared to a stream.

All Just My Opinion and based on what I have seen first hand.

 

[phljess]

I hate to say I told you so on the vortechs. I remember two years ago I was planning on using them on my 210. But ron talked me into going with tunze instead. I think it was a wise decision at the time, considering vortech did not have a controller and there seemed to be some issues with the pumps. Today, may be a different story. I still dont like how the vortechs have to have their bearings replaced every year.

 

[firefish2020]

I talked you into Tunze because we knew they worked and Vortechs were still having a lot of problems back then. Although I give thumbs up to Eco-tech for fixing those issues Tunze is still in the running for best powerhead IMO.

 

[Tazbader]

korelia is the best bargain pump, just keep them clean and don't loose the little rubber inserts, tunze has the name and the german engineering, although the price point and attachment issues are a pain... bigtime (something about a ziptie on a 2 or 300.00 pump just doesn't do it for me... or the magnets made of gold. however, I think if vortech lowered the price by about 25% they would bury tunze in the USA, at least. I saw tunze and vortechs in use at salty critter and there is no comparison... just ask Roger. he has both also, well he did, till he sold off his tunze stuff.. isn't he the tunze dealer for our area? ...............hmmmmmmmmm think about it.

As far as the new pumps that Phil was kind enough to mention, I'd love to see them in action. Did anyone mention that these vortechs are only taking up a few inches in the tank and the heat transfer from the magneto is nearly nil? Two other points definately worth mentioning I think. so we have a incredible if not better flow, smaller size (in tank) and no or very little heat transfer. if it were baseball it would be the end of the inning, at least.... I want some vortechs.

 

[carb850]

The Vortec's are supposed to be a good bit noisier than the Tunze.

 

[firefish2020]

The Vortec's are supposed to be a good bit noisier than the Tunze

They are a bit noisier but that's usually a slight alignment issue.
However the flow and wave generation is totally different than a Tunze pump at least for now. I'm seriously considering going with Vortechs on my upcoming tank but I will keep my Tunze pumps on stand by just in case something goes wrong. It pays to have a plan B especially if plan B is a sure bet.

 

[phljess]

I saw the vortechs in action at Roger's a week or so ago. They looked good. I think the wave function of the tunze is a little better than the vortechs but I dont know if Roger had the turned all the way up or not. Either way they seem to be toe on toe with tunze. I also like the idea of low heat transfer and the smaller size. I really do not believe any of the other PHs mentioned besides the vortech can honestly be considered as a threat to tunze at least not yet.

 

[carb850]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12652524#post12652524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefish2020
They are a bit noisier but that's usually a slight alignment issue.
However the flow and wave generation is totally different than a Tunze pump at least for now. I'm seriously considering going with Vortechs on my upcoming tank but I will keep my Tunze pumps on stand by just in case something goes wrong. It pays to have a plan B especially if plan B is a sure bet.

Running Vortec's with Tunze backups is about the best possible plan I can think of however running either one is as much of an investment as I can take. Doing both is out of the question. I was seeing a lot of threadon the Vortechs this time last year. I was starting to believe at that time, but ultimately I decided on Tunze because they are time tested. I tend to be a little conservative on my tank choices.

As far as backups go, my plan B looks like this.

 

[firefish2020]

LOL, thats good

 

["L"]

I have used the K4s for about a year now but they just came out with the new ones for the new wave maker I think I will be going Vortech as well in year or so.