Tunze 6025's or Koralia 2's?

[CarmieJo]

One of my DT powerheads has failed and I'm going to be replacing all of them. (I've been procrastinating on ordering them for a few months!) My choices are the Tunze 6025's which will cost about $65-70 each until you add S&H or the Koralia 2's which will cost $35-40 each. For the price difference I am leaning towards the Koralias but I wanted to see if anyone has any experience to offer?

[Russel P]

I recently bought a Tunze 6025, and it's the most powerful, quiet, and compact powerhead I've ever owned. The magnet is really powerful, and you can easily direct the flow very accurately. I'll be replacing all my pumps with them as time (and funds) allow. I wish I could opine on the Koralia, but I've never owned or worked with one, but I can't praise the Tunze highly enough.

[JayBeDriften]

CarmieJo..... I have heard some mixed reviews concerning the Tunze 6025's leaning more to the bad side. Many of the reviews are concerning issues where the pumps are too nosiy for the majority of people, issues with the impellor starting in revers about 80% of the time and actually siphoning water then providing flow and some issues concerning the magnet holster. What are the dimensions of your aquarium? It might be in your best interest in decideding to go with a higher end powerhead for flow. I'm personally going to be purchase 2 or 3 EcoTech Marine Vortech's for my 45 gallon cube since they are controllable and will grow with your aquarium needs plus their battery backup and soon to be released wireless controller are too awesome to pass up in my eyes.

[Russel P]

That's really interesting. I can unplug mine and can't tell by noise reduction. My skimmer and sump pumps aren't terribly loud, but the hum they put out drowns out anything the Tunze emits.

[CarmieJo]

I've heard that when people have had problems Tunze has been very responsive. My tank is a 54 gallon corner tank with the longest dimension being 30". Vortech's are way out of my budget.

[PSH]

Well I love the Koralia 4 I have. Wish I ordered a few more. If it was me I would go with 2 Koralia 4's. The flow is huge on these things. Not at all like a normal power head. If you are thinking about getting 2's I would go with 3's. Heck if you don't like them, I will buy them off of you for what you paid total plus shipping to me.

Do your homework look around and see what other people have to say. I saw enough negatives about the nano streams that I wouldn't spend the extra money for them.

[Rob]

i too am interested in getting either the nano stream or the Koralia.. so im also interested in peoples feedback.. so i'll tag along on this thread too..

[George]

I posted on the Hydor thread, but a search of Nanostream on Nano-Reef.com - The source for nano reef aquarium information will bring up a number of problems with Tunze's clip mount for those pumps. I haven't used them, though, so I can't say it's accurate.

I can say I love the Hydors I have (Model 3 and 1). Especially over my old Seio 620's which had startup problems after feeding cycle. My Hydors always start and I've never had them reverse on me. The open cage design is a bit bigger than the Tunze's, but it essentially puts the whole flow on display. Plus, the helix-shaped blades don't chop up things that do get sucked in so it's not an in-tank Cuisinart. I also like the ball-joint magnet mount. Very easy to position and infinitely adjustable.

Now that they've fixed the voltage leaks and given the price difference, if you're in the 1200 gph or less market, I'd say Hydors are your best bet.

[Rob]

speaking of that ball joint mount.. i wonder how long that will stay tight, before it it starts to let the pump 'droop'..
oh well only time will tell..

[George]

Originally Posted by Rob

speaking of that ball joint mount.. i wonder how long that will stay tight, before it it starts to let the pump 'droop'..
oh well only time will tell..

The rubber ring that provides the tension/friction on the ball join is in one of the pictures I posted in my Hydor thread. I have seen similar rings at Home Depot and Lowes, so I imagine if that rots away, it can be replaced. It's very hard rubber, though, so it shouldn't deteriorate as fast as suction cups do.

[Rob]

well i just picked up a Koralia 4 because my LFS had them for $55 (cheaper than i have seen anywhere)
so far i like it.. the flow was different than what i expected but i like it.

i think i might get another one, especially if they stay this cheap.

i still want to get a nanostream for comparison though

im trying to come up with ideas for a this pump in a video podcast, so if you have ideas im open to them

[George]

If you have a free tank or a big white bin, some food dye in water would be a nice flow demo. Not really all that useful, but neat for a podcast.

[Rob]

i do have a 90 gallon tank i was thinking about using. and i think i might use air bubbles sicne i can do that multiple times rather than the food coloring which is once or twice.

i just need to get the nanostream so i can do some comparisons for everyone

[graham]

Be interesting to see a pump set up at one end of your 90 gallon with bubbles to visualize the flow. Then have a movable baffle in side the tank that could be brought closer to the pump to show the effect to overall flow in smaller size tanks.

You could get a piece of rock with some wool or streamers attached at points around it and on the glass of the tank. And set up the pump to point at the rock or over the rock, along the surface, etc. and then look at the flow produced on the rocks surface. Be interesting so see what method produced the fewest dead spots.

[NaClFinatic]

yeah bubles or dye is nice to see flow. but I prefer the dye myself since the air bubles have their own bouyancy that affects how they make the flow appear.

[JR Aquatics]

I have 2 #4s and a the new #3 hydors and love them. I recommend them to anyone. I have had my 4s for 5 months now, and the #3 for a month. They replaced the sieo 1500s I had. Much better pump. IMO