Hydors clicking with wavemaker

[Texas Reefer]

No So I finally hooked up my Hydor Koralia Evolutions 1400 (1500 gph) to a wavemaker, or timer. Every 10 seconds one will turn off, and the other will turn on. And every time, probably 99.5% of the time, they make a loud clicking noise. I emailed Hydor, and this is what they said:
Hello Carrie,

The Koralia Evolution pumps are equipped with AC driven motors, along with all other AC pumps in the market they do make a clicking noise upon starting. The motor is designed to work with alternating current. Depending on how the current enters the motor, it will either turn the impeller on correctly or in reverse. (50/50 chance) When it comes on in reverse, the impeller raises a little and hits the little rubber bumper on the inside of the front cover.

All AC motors will make noises when they're on a timer/wavemaker, unless you go with the DC pumps

Hydor USA, Inc.
Customer Service
4740 Northgate Blvd #125
Sacramento, CA 95834
HYDOR - Componenti per Acquari

I called and asked them why they would market a product as timer compatible, when it obviously makes a horrid noise when on a timer. He said everyone knows it will make a little clicking noise, but they are fine with it. He said if mine make a louder noise the propellers may be cracked. I find it hard to believe both would come up cracked at the same time. And he agreed that yes, they probably always have clicked when started. (They have been running for 4-6 months and due to maintenance I do turn them off occasionally.)

And the noise is really annoying, and I can hear it down the hall into my bedroom.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jHc7bZsKGGk
What do y'all think? Do all AC pumps make a clicking noise on start-up? Do you think mine could be cracked? Is there a way to keep these pumps, overcome the clicking, and alternate the pumps? Do you have a recommendation for economical pumps that would work better with a timer? This is mine:

Have any of you used this JBJ product? I also bought the 2 1600 gph powerheads that go with it, but haven't tried them yet. When I realized I could hook any PH to this timer, I wanted to give what I already have a shot, and possibly return the JBJ PH's.
Thank you for reading!

 

[PaulKreider]

Honestly I think you're over-reacting.

I have had my Koralinas for over 2 years, yes they click, no its not absurdly loud. It will quiet down over time or you will get used to it.

EVERY AC pump will do this, that's part of the reason some people pay 10x as much for a DC powerhead.

If you don't like the clicking noise then set the pumps to switch every 10-15 mins.

IMO they are great products, very reliable, and CHEAP, Hydors customer service is great and they sent me replacement parts at no expense when the front casing broke after prolonged use of short on/off cycles, with extras** might I add.

 

[Texas Reefer]

I don't think I'm over-reacting. My house is small, and I can hear them almost everywhere.
Edited: I posted a video on YouTube standing across the room from the tank, but I can't get the address to copy right.
Anyway, the noise is significant and I am looking for a way to get a better alternating current in my tank without spending a lot more right now. Thank you for your responses!

 

[PaulKreider]

How long have you had them running?

 

[Texas Reefer]

The one on the right has been running constant for 6 months. The one on the left ran for 4 months, I took it out because I thought the two made too much flow. When I took the left one out I cleaned and soaked it in vinegar. I just put it back in to run the wavemaker.

 

[PaulKreider]

I'd just set the wavemaker to switch pumps every 15 mins, you wont even notice it. If you have it going off every 5 seconds yeah it will drive you crazy.

 

[EllisJuan]

I had Koralias for years. I got so sick of the clicking that I stopped using my wavemaker...which is the same model as you have. I switched to DC Jebao pumps and I am in silent powerhead nirvana. Sell them or send them back and make the switch. Thank me later.

 

[Texas Reefer]

I had Koralias for years. I got so sick of the clicking that I stopped using my wavemaker...which is the same model as you have. I switched to DC Jebao pumps and I am in silent powerhead nirvana. Sell them or send them back and make the switch. Thank me later.

I might just do that! I've got a 90 gal mixed reef, including a tube anemone, and I don't like too much flow. Would you go with the wp40 or wp25? And should I use one or two?

 

[EllisJuan]

I might just do that! I've got a 90 gal mixed reef, including a tube anemone, and I don't like too much flow. Would you go with the wp40 or wp25? And should I use one or two?

I would go with two wp25s on their dual controller. You can run them on a lower setting for now and if you ever want more just crank them up. I run a wp25 and a wp10 in my 65g and neither of them at 100%.

 

[Texas Reefer]

Awesome

 

[wrfreeman]

I would say that what drives someone crazy will greatly depend on the person. I had the same setup. Bought the evolutions to create waves as they were advertised as being able to do so. My tank is built in and in my living room where the TV is so the clicking was noticable and annoying. I finally just stopped trying to get by with a cheap solution and spent the money on a Tunze wavebox. Couldn't be happier honestly.

 

[VarinaReefer]

+1 on jebao I would do (2)wp25 with the dual controller they are very powerful pumps if I wasn't worried about the cords hanging over my rimless I would get them again but the wp25 was too much flow on my 60 cube so I sold it only running an mp10 for now

 

[Texas Reefer]

Anyone know where I can get the wp25's with dual controller? I emailed coral reef source, but they haven't gotten back to me yet.

 

[VarinaReefer]

Idk if fish street still does them I bought my wp25 and dc3000 through a group buy with Harrizm but I remember seeing some on eBay

 

[tigerdragon]

I have a couple of koralia's doing the same thing one evo and one magnum seems hydor not willing to improve design considering others out there dont do this

 

[racin2438]

Anyone know where I can get the wp25's with dual controller? I emailed coral reef source, but they haven't gotten back to me yet.

On a personal note I had terrible service from CRS...they were jerks. I bought 2 wp60's and one was horribly loud and I requested a refund. They refused and said that I never ordered through them and that it was fraud, well dauh...I ordered though eBay ..that went to you on your bid page.

They never returned emails, and just blew it off. I got it replaced from another supplier that just swapped it out , as a customer service option.

 

[Preyou]

Fish Street sells a package with two Wp-25s and a dual controller.

You may also want to look at the new Jebao RW15. It is the new wireless version. One is the master and you can have as many slaves to that master as you want. Fish Street has some videos and the manuals up on their site. Check them out.

 

[racin2438]

All Korelias click, but if they go in reverse, the button has broken and replace the cage..

 

[tigerdragon]

As soon as i get the funds am switching out to jabeos and i told hydor that. Said i was disappointed in their quality and they need to redesign

 

[Preyou]

As soon as i get the funds am switching out to jabeos and i told hydor that. Said i was disappointed in their quality and they need to redesign

The Hydors are fine if you run them 100% of the time. Unfortunately, that just isn't the best for our livestock.