[three90s&125sump]

I picked up a couple of K4s when I got my LR yesterday. I got to tell you all I'm a little disapointed in their flow. I was expecting to get more than what I'm seeing. I was concidering getting 4 K4s and a controller for flow in my 225... Boy that would have been a waste of 800 bucks. I guess for 30 a piece they will do what I need them too but I will need at least 2 more of them. BTW, I'm not going to use them for flow in my tank.

 

[umakemekissu]

your LFS doesn't tell you about the bigger impeller that you can replace to provide a stronger and wider flow? I'm not sure how stronger it would be because the stock impeller is enough for my 125gL.. but still.. it's stronger ^^!

 

[lagrew]

i don't like switching out impellers just asking for trouble, just my 2 cents

 

[jackers]

I picked up a couple of K4s when I got my LR yesterday. I got to tell you all I'm a little disapointed in their flow. I was expecting to get more than what I'm seeing. I was concidering getting 4 K4s and a controller for flow in my 225... Boy that would have been a waste of 800 bucks. I guess for 30 a piece they will do what I need them too but I will need at least 2 more of them. BTW, I'm not going to use them for flow in my tank.

Great, I just bought two K3's for my 85 gallon with 150 lbs of rock. Looks like I will need two more K4's to get the flow I am looking for.

 

[three90s&125sump]

They might be fine in a 85 gallon. Just not nearly enough push for a 6 foot tank. But yeah your prolly gonna want more flow.

 

[jenglish]

Sometimes it is hard to say before you get a pump in if it is going to be enough depending on where you place it and how your rock is situated. I am thinking about a K3 for my 30 long as the K2 is nice but I could use a bit more

 

[HD Fatboy®]

They might be fine in a 85 gallon. Just not nearly enough push for a 6 foot tank. But yeah your prolly gonna want more flow.

What kind of push you looking for?....all 6 foot of your tank?.....Circulation does not need to be wall to wall....just JMO....The ocean I do not think circulates from coast to coast....I have read....that you want circulation to be all over the tank...at intermitant times....

 

[three90s&125sump]

I think 2 k4s on a controller would be great for a 30 long.

 

[jenglish]

I think 2 k4s on a controller would be great for a 30 long.

That would be WAY too much flow for a lagoonal with DSB

 

[three90s&125sump]

Oh I guess so.

 

[jenglish]

with 3 inches of oolitic it would prolly just be a big fluidized sand filter :lol:

 

[three90s&125sump]

What kind of push you looking for?

Enough.

One thing I'm looking for is wave action. Another thing I'm looking for is a lot of very soft turbulance. One thing I want to stay away from is any point source flow. While I like the soft broad pattern of the K4... Its just not enough push, not enough force behind the flow to have a wave action.

 

[harlequin29]

Some people enjoy using magnums. I have no use for them though. My setup is little.

 

[three90s&125sump]

Magnum koralias? K5 - k8? I have not seen them controllable yet.

 

[harlequin29]

You didn't read between the lines on that one:bigeek:

For controllable powerheads and your size tank, I'd go Tunze or Vortech. (No actual experience with either brand powerhead, just hours of researching/studying online) Doesn't mean you can't utilize your your current Koralias. =]

 

[Jadinop]

I went with Vortechs after trying six K4's in my 150g. I couldn't take all the cords and mounts. For me, Vortechs are the best, cleanest looking option.

Here is a pic taken during the initial Koralia test period. Too many wires and nowhere near enough flow.

Here are the Vortechs after install. The wires weren't tied up yet so I had them looped over the front of the tank. The flow from the two Vortechs beat the Koralias hand down. Once the tank grows in more, I will probably add a second pair of MP40's. You can see by the sandbed how much flow just two Vortechs create when you run them full blast.

 

[three90s&125sump]

Are those mp20s?

 

[quader94]

Some people enjoy using magnums. I have no use for them though. My setup is little.

:lol:

 

[Jadinop]

Are those mp20s?

Mine are MP40's. The MP20 and MP40 both use the same motor and wetside. The only difference is the controller box and power supply. You can upgrade or downgrade to either model by purchasing a new controller and power supply.

 

[firsthesitation]

Definitely would have done the Vortech's in a tank your size. I don't think the Koralias are really effective in anything bigger than a 75-100 gallon. I've got 2 4's and 2 2's in my 75 and I will definately be upgrading to Vortech's later.