Pump opinions

g8rorchid · Mar 9, 2016

Hello everyone!

I am trying to make a decision on a pump and I am hoping some folks here can give me their experience/opinion. As much as I would love to have an Ecotech or Tunze, financially, I just can't. I have a 90g reef with 2 of the older Koralia pumps and would like to upgrade at least one of them. I am looking at the Koralia 1150 and the Jebao RW15. Does anyone have experience with either of them? Better yet anyone have experience with both of them? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

mfinn · Mar 9, 2016

Welcome to R2R.

I've never had very good luck with Koralias or Jebao pumps, but of the 2 I've heard the rw series last longer.

Good luck.

redfishbluefish · Mar 9, 2016

I had the old Koralia's....when they were numbered K1, K2, K3, etc. Other than occasionally starting backwards, these things were indestructible. I still use a K4 and K8 for mixing water. I pre-purchased four of the brand new Evolution Koralia's when they came out, and within a year, all four were in the trash. So I have a bad taste in my mouth with Koralia Evolutions....the magnet covers crack, magnets rust and swell, and freeze up in the hole of the powerhead......POC in my mind. So even though I've never owned a Jebao, that would be my choice, between the two.

hybridazn · Mar 9, 2016

For the cost I would use the jebao pump. Just about every koralia I've owned either clicks or starts up running backwards.

DannyB · Mar 9, 2016

I have had 2 jebao WPs running in my tank for the last 2 years and they still run like champs. I have since jumped on the Gyre train but it was only because i liked the options it provides. Yet with the Gyre I still have the Jebao's running 24/7 in an off on cycle to give some circulation behind the rocks.

Now i know these aren't the Jebao's in question but these are the older models and are still running strong. To be honest I have many more issues with the Gyre's operation and the wear and tear on it over the virtually non existent wear and tear on the Jebao's.

Just my $ .02

mcarroll · Mar 9, 2016

The 90 is only a 4' tank....I don't see why a set of Tunze's would be cost prohibitive if you're thinking about $180 for a pair of RW15's.

Without knowing your tank at all, here are some ideas that would work great:

A "direct upgrade" from the Koralia's would be a simple pair of 6045 nanostreams ($156/pair) or the larger 6065 streams ($230/pair) dropped in place of the old ones. You get all the benefits of the Stream design and improved flow characteristics as well. It will definitely be an improvement even if the flow numbers on the box seem similar.
Four Nanostream 6045's - $312. The 6045's are not controllable, but they can be throttled, so having a large number gives you a great degree of flexibility of flow patterns you can create, and the can be placed quite close to corals when it makes sense. Two pairs alternating the tank's flow direction on a three hour-ish tidal "simulation" using simple lamp timers is a great flow solution for most tanks. You might still want a fifth for some "always on" flow somewhere in the tank or something different...I usually have one or more in that role. The some or all of the 5 pumps could also be a different, much less expensive pump like the 6015, 6020 or 6025 ($40-$55) instead of the 6045, depending on your actual needs. This would be a huge improvement from the current pumps.

Just my opinion, but I like both of those options better than the Jebao solution or the new Korelia, even though the pumps I suggested aren't controllable.

dmax525 · Mar 9, 2016

I recently purchased a jebao rw10, I really wanted an Ecotech mp10 but just couldn't bring myself to spend the money. With that said I bought the rw10 and the coral box wifi controller. I am very happy with the ease on how to set it and although it's only been running about a month, it's quiet and will put up a ton of flow with a lot different settings using the coralbox controller. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the same set up again.

hybridazn · Mar 9, 2016

mcarroll said:
The 90 is only a 4' tank....I don't see why a set of Tunze's would be cost prohibitive if you're thinking about $180 for a pair of RW15's.

Without knowing your tank at all, here are some ideas that would work great:

A "direct upgrade" from the Koralia's would be a simple pair of 6045 nanostreams ($156/pair) or the larger 6065 streams ($230/pair) dropped in place of the old ones. You get all the benefits of the Stream design and improved flow characteristics as well. It will definitely be an improvement even if the flow numbers on the box seem similar.

Four Nanostream 6045's - $312. The 6045's are not controllable, but they can be throttled, so having a large number gives you a great degree of flexibility of flow patterns you can create, and the can be placed quite close to corals when it makes sense. Two pairs alternating the tank's flow direction on a three hour-ish tidal "simulation" using simple lamp timers is a great flow solution for most tanks. You might still want a fifth for some "always on" flow somewhere in the tank or something different...I usually have one or more in that role. The some or all of the 5 pumps could also be a different, much less expensive pump like the 6015, 6020 or 6025 ($40-$55) instead of the 6045, depending on your actual needs. This would be a huge improvement from the current pumps.

Just my opinion, but I like both of those options better than the Jebao solution or the new Korelia, even though the pumps I suggested aren't controllable.

I agree with this

g8rorchid · Mar 10, 2016

Thank you for all of the replies! I just realized that I meant that I was looking at the Jebao RW8, not RW15. So a pair of those would be about $140 and I'm not even sure that I am going to replace both of my pumps, 1 for sure.

Is the RW8 not enough flow? I don't have sps, just zoas, palys, mushrooms, and bubble tip anemones. I am planning on getting some lps.

Redfish - yeah, those are the ones I have - I think I have a K4 and K3. Judging by what everyone is saying, the new ones don't seem to have the same build quality.

mcarroll · Mar 10, 2016

Whether it's one 6045 to replace one dead pump, or a pair (or more) to remake the whole system, I still would recommend that vs the RW.

Can you post a pic that shows your rock work?

mcarroll · Mar 10, 2016

Have you considered buying used? Even a broken Tunze can be refurbished for a reasonable about of money - one of the nice things about them is that they offer parts for reasonable cost for all their gear - working and even like-new ones come up on the for sale forum pretty regularly.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/selling-forum-dry-goods.60/

Run a search there, or click there on the website (not the app) and click "Watch Forum" so you can get notified when new threads are posted. Handy while you're shopping!

Posting in the Want To Buy section can't hurt either!
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/wanted-to-buy-coral-equipment.12/page-3

Salty1962 · Mar 11, 2016

I've used a Jebao RW-15 for over a year with no issues. Strong pump!

g8rorchid · Mar 11, 2016

I have no problem with buying a used pump. I've been checking the for sale forum on here, along with ebay and craigslist, lol. So if anyone has a pump that they are selling, by all means let me know!

I am attaching a pic of the tank/rock work.

Thanks again everyone!