Choosing between a Koralia 4 and a Nanostream 6045

trilinearmipmap · #1 01-02-2008, 12:43 AM

So it looks like I have a choice between a higher priced German unit that will break, or a lower priced one that will fall off its magnet.

Skimmerking · #2 01-02-2008, 01:04 AM

I had the Hydro 4 on my 120 the glass is 5/8" and I didnt like the magnets on it that is the only down fall.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #3 01-02-2008, 01:58 AM

It's not super powerful, but I had my HK4 on my 210g with 1/2" glass no problem. I now have it on the 120g with no problem.

Myka · #4 01-02-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

So it looks like I have a choice between a higher priced German unit that will break, or a lower priced one that will fall off its magnet.

Or you could buy the Maxi Jet 1200 ($27), the Sure Flow mod kit for it ($20), and a Sure Grip magnet holder for it ($28-40 depending on how thick your glass is). Then you beat all the problems...

Btw, the Sure Flow mod kit has two propellers in the kit, one propeller will make any MaxiJet do 1600 gph. The second propeller is for the MJ1200 only, and will make it push over 2000 gph. AND, it has a bracket that you super glue onto the Sure Grip magnet holder that allows the MaxiJet to swivel like the Nanostreams and Koralias. PLUS, it widens the flow of the MaxiJet as it uses a propeller instead of an impeller. Both the Tunze Nanostreams and the Koralias use propellers. A MaxiJet originally comes with an impeller.

MaxiJets have a 2 year warranty, and if they break down after that they're only $27 to replace. Well worth the money if you ask me!!

http://www.algaefree.com/sure_flow.html

fkshiu · #5 01-02-2008, 02:46 AM

Just picked up a Tunze 6055. Those infamous clips are fine so far (knock on wood

). Looks like they've managed to work the bugs out of the original design and materials used. I think if you purchase any of the "post-fix" Nanostreams their build quality shouldn't be a huge issue anymore.

erikages · #6 01-02-2008, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

So it looks like I have a choice between a higher priced German unit that will break, or a lower priced one that will fall off its magnet.

I've had Tunze pumps -- including the nanostream 6055 -- for a few years now, and they've never had a problem. Admittedly they're expensive, and for the price they should work flawlessly.

Perhaps I've been lucky, but thus far I'd recommend Tunzes. Also, their magnets are fantastic. I've got "0.5 inch glass and they stay fixed like bricks, never drifting down.

Some people have complained about too much noise with Tunzes, but this hasn't been my experience. If noise occurs, the pump may need to be nudged from whatever's causing it to vibrate. Once in the right location, they're noiseless.

I don't know about product support for Tunzes as I've never had to use support.

Myka · #7 01-02-2008, 03:27 AM

I worked for a short period at an LFS recently, and there were a TON of Tunze Nanostream returns. There was literally a HUGE box filled with them to go back on warranty work. Some of them ARE noisy, and need to be replaired, some break the propellers. I won't buy one. The Koralias are great for smaller tanks with thinner glass.

Skimmin · #8 01-02-2008, 03:38 AM

I'm the proud owner of two 6045 nanostreams and no problems yet. I believe the problems may have been worked out. Flow wise they are really gentle and have a super wide stream. I'm happy with them. Although I will be getting rid of them once I talk myself into spending the money on the Ecotech Vortech.$400+ dollars though.... Ouch!

erikages · #9 01-04-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skimmin

I'm the proud owner of two 6045 nanostreams and no problems yet. I believe the problems may have been worked out. Flow wise they are really gentle and have a super wide stream. I'm happy with them. Although I will be getting rid of them once I talk myself into spending the money on the Ecotech Vortech.$400+ dollars though.... Ouch!

The Ecotechs look very interesting; has anyone had experience with them? My only reluctance is that much of the cost seems to be for the wave algorhythms. I run a Profilux system that already runs wave features (providing the pumps are variable), so don't need this feature set. It's the combination of high output and heat reduction that look so great.

Have any of you who run these experienced noise and magnet drift with thick (.65") glass?

Erik

Canadian · #10 01-05-2008, 05:36 AM

Please keep in mind that when you see Roger going above and beyond on RC that you won't get that kind of service here in Canada. Roger will refer you to Tunze Canada if you contact him with warranty issues. I have 2 6025s that I've modded (shortened the shrouds and cut out the flow restrictor out to bring the flow rate up to about 1100GPH). The infamous clips have broken and I've fixed them. When I contacted Phil at Xenia (the Canadian distributor for Tunze among other German products) about getting the new and improved C-clips he ran me around, lied and then just ignored me. Worst warranty/customer support of any product I've purchased. And don't assume this is an anomoly - there are tons of threads about Phil's poor customer service on RC (warranty issues with Giesemann products as an example) and I've spoken with several LFS owners, employees etc. and they all say that Phil is a great guy to hang out with but his product support is atrocious. I'm sure things are busy for Phil with all the distribution stuff he does but it's incredibly frustrating to see the great customer service Roger provides to a much larger population in the US and know that you won't get that up here.

Keep that in mind if you decide to go with Tunze.

With that said, if I had to do it again I'd still probably go with Tunze and, again, modify the shrouds if only because the Koralias are ridiculously huge in comparison for a comparable flow rate.