Hydor Koralia Question (1 Viewer)

[Brad]

I've got a 110g tank (60x18x24) with two Hydor Koralia 4s for my internal circulation. There is also a Mag 9.5 in the sump for my return (split between a chiller and normal return line).

My Koralias always start banging around randomly as the propelor jumps up and down on the shaft. Sometimes it corrects itself within a few seconds and other times it goes on for a while and I have to unplug the pump and try several times to plug it back in before it spins normally. It always almost happens when something on the same circut turns on like the chiller or TV. Almost like the momentary decrease in power is causing the problem.

Is this a common problem with the Koralias and if so has anyone come up with a solution?

 

[AquaNerd]

hey brad, sometimes this happens with these pumps.

to fix it, cut a piece of small diameter vinyl tubing or hard tubing and insert it onto the metal impeller shaft. this should prevent the impeller from jumping on the shaft.

 

[Brad]

That makes sense. It will keep the impeller pushed down on the shaft. I'll try that.

I was hoping everyone would tell me there was no hope so I'd have the excuse to buy vortecs. But in reality I did not want to spend the money.

 

[hank]

That makes sense. It will keep the impeller pushed down on the shaft. I'll try that.

I was hoping everyone would tell me there was no hope so I'd have the excuse to buy vortecs. But in reality I did not want to spend the money.

You need the Vortecs.

 

[Rusalka]

One thing you can try is a surge protector or better yet, a UPS (uninterrupted power supply). Mine is running on a UPS and I do not have that problem.

Even having said that, I am biting the bullet (so nobody tell the wife) and my Vortech should be here Wednesday.

 

[mario8402]

just clean them. mine do that when they have algae and stuff built up inside of it..
take them all out, put them in a bucket full of water and white vinegar and leave them overnight, in the morning, just run them under water and brush them with a toothbrush.. if you have ever taken them apart, you might have lost one of those little white bushings on the inside, that happened to me too

 

[Timanator]

Big bulky but cheap. What else is there to Koralias?

 

[Brad]

I do clean them regularly (vinegar soak and strong bushing of all parts after) although they need to be cleaned now. However, they seem to do this even in the days after I clean them. It does not seem to really help.

So if I were going to think about vortecs (which I'm not, which I'm NOT, WHICH I'M NOT .....) what size, set up would be the best for my size tank.

My tank is largely dominated by softies, hammers, frogspawns, galaxia, bubble corals, etc. but does have some SPS including birdsnest, moni (caps and digi) and a few others SPS types.

 

[RR-MAN]

I do clean them regularly (vinegar soak and strong bushing of all parts after) although they need to be cleaned now. However, they seem to do this even in the days after I clean them. It does not seem to really help.

So if I were going to think about vortecs (which I'm not, which I'm NOT, WHICH I'M NOT .....) what size, set up would be the best for my size tank.

My tank is largely dominated by softies, hammers, frogspawns, galaxia, bubble corals, etc. but does have some SPS including birdsnest, moni (caps and digi) and a few others SPS types.

Definitely MP-40. You probably need 2 of them because of the length of the tank. You may want to also look at Tunzes with controller.

 

[GAW]

I went from 2 k4 to a single K7 because of the same issue. I am really hoping for some Tunze or Vortec's myself.

Hopefully the wifey will understand

 

[Brad]

Put 1/4 tubing on the impeller shaft that runs from the imbeller to the top with just a little space so it does not impede the rotation. This seems to have worked perfectly. It has not missed a beat since Saturday. I'm hopefull this will be a long term solution.

 

[AquaNerd]

you might have to replace the tubing from time to time, but it should last a really long time.

glad it's working for you.