Any tips on slowing down a Koralia #4?

[lil.guppy]

Before I go and buy a #3 or #2 I was wondering if there was anyway of slowing it down just a little.
I was thinking of wraping it in some of that black filter media but did not know if that would heat the moter up and cause problems.
I liked the flow at the beginning but I have collected alot of flowing coral and the right side of my tank is getting whipped around a little too much.

 

[lil.guppy]

oops I mean a #3

 

[jpa0741]

What size tank do you have this in. I would just aim it more at the surface. I am one that believes it is hard to have too much flow.

 

[lil.guppy]

I have it in my 46 bowfront and I have tried every position in teh tank possible but its just tarring into my corals. My hammer is started to die off with it being whipped around so much

 

[jpa0741]

I would just point it towards the surface and front glass and let it bounce around. Some pics might help. Do you have the 3 or 4? Also do you have any other form of flow?

 

[flower]

I can't help with your problem but putting any mesh over the moter won't slow it down. I have mine covered for the anemone. He quit moving but just in case, I leave the koralias covered. Won't do a thing to the flow.
Can you angle the corals so they are not in direct flow, if you point the power head toward the top???? Maybe by changing both you may get the desired effect.

 

[lil.guppy]

Well there is one place I have not tired it yet. Placing it directly on the back glass right in the middle and facing it to the front glass. I have the rotating powerhead on the far right side of the tank so with this pointing into its direction maybe it will help dispurse it.
I will try it and let you know
Thanks for telling me it does not slow the flow down. I was about to do that

 

[05xrunner]

i cant see 1 #3 causing that much flow...they are very very wide flow and not a stream..unless your hammer is right next to it I dont think it would damage it at all.

 

[flower]

Personally I think the shape of the bowfront has a little to do with it. Kind of helps to whip the water accross it. Just a thought. I never had a bowfront, but its curve makes me think this.

 

[lil.guppy]

I agree about the curve

 

[bizzmoneyb]

do you have a 3 or 4?
i have 2 #3's in my 90 and they are too weak. you cant feel much flow at all 10-12 inches away from the pump. if you have a 4 i'll trade you if your interested.

 

[lkc]

You can take out the impellier and trim each blade slightly with a very sharp knife. That will lessen the flow.

 

[dondemi]

Trimming each blade may cause the impeller to run unbalanced & could shorten the life of the motor or it could shake & be very noisy. You can try a potentiometer or rheostat that will run the motor at different speeds (slowing it down, I believe it limits the voltage), but check with the manufacturer. I've used these before, but not on something so small or for this application.

 

[naclh2o nut]

I have 2 k4s and a k2 in a 90 bow. I have the 2 4s in each back corner aiming across and down toward middle of tank. This creates a lot af varied flow spots. the heaviest is in front under the k4s(not sure why). But it is a hard upward and toward side flow. I place corals that need heavy flow and lower light there. It could be that is the only flow nothing to create varied flow. Try adding another P/H or your return line opposite it and let them hit.

 

[natclanwy]

Originally Posted by dondemi
http:///forum/post/3001002
Trimming each blade may cause the impeller to run unbalanced & could shorten the life of the motor or it could shake & be very noisy. You can try a potentiometer or rheostat that will run the motor at different speeds (slowing it down, I believe it limits the voltage), but check with the manufacturer. I've used these before, but not on something so small or for this application.
You can't do this on AC motors without causing perminent damage to the motor and I agree definetly don't try to trim the impellors you will never get them balanced again.
Have you tried experimenting with the fish guard and the nozzle that comes with the PH's they really change the flow pattern on the koralias PH's

 

[uneverno]

You can't do this on AC motors
+1 even at the low wattage consumption, there is no pot that won't burn out as well. It needs to be solid state control.
A light dimmer should work, but I personally don't like the idea of home wiring stuff around salt water. If you can find one cheap that's plug and play that's a possibility.
In the end, it'd prolly cost as much as a new K-2 anyway.