Smartwave Pump Controller Questions - Is Alternate Flow Better?

[icedtc]

Morning All,
So I have another thread on here about my 92 gallon corner tank build I just started up. My flow consists of my return from my sump (roughly 600 gph) and 2x Hydor Koralia 750gph powerheads.
I guess my first question is: Do you think the 750 gph is enough? I had a 1450gph Hydor Koralia but ended up returning it because it was a little loud and seemed too strong for my tank. Since it isn't the typical 90 gallon sized tank (my size is 48"x34"x24" but that 48" is from corner to corner), I want to ensure the 750's should work well.
Being new to the SW scene, I keep seeing ads for the Hydor Koralia Smartwave Pump Controller and just started reading about it. Until now I assumed the powerheads stayed on 24/7 expect for when feedinf fish so the food doesn't go everywhere. But after seeing this product...is it more beneficial to have them run as opposite times?
If I understand correctly as opposed to both my powerheads running on opposite sides of the tank, this turns each on & off in intervals constantly changing the motion of the water.
I just wanted to get some more input on these types of devices and to see if you would recommend it for a setup like mine. Is this "alternate" flow very beneficial?
So I gess my 2 main questions really boil down to:
1. Are 2x Hydor 750's appropriate for my tank size?
2. Is this "alternate" flow idea better than always having my 2 powerheads on at the same time?
Thanks as always...looking forward to your answers!

 

[oneradtek]

it kind of depends on the type of fish/coral you have in your tank. id say the 750's are on the low side of flow which is good for softies and lps and all round good community fish. if you have any hard corals and schooling fish such as chromis and anthias, then you would need either higher flow rates or more power heads.
alternate flow is ALWAYS better, in the wild, flow is generally intermittent and from different angles, so therefore having alternating flow would be more natural for coral.
hope this helps and good luck

 

[rcdude1990]

I looked into this too and went woth 2 vortech mp40w es pumps.. I do admit they are pretty pricey but im veryyy happy with them. I have a 125 and 2 pumos are plenty for my tabk. I was going ti buy the pump you stated but i heard they break after some time. The controller is a greattt thing, having the pumps turn on and off making a "wave" motion in the tank, which is awsome! My fish are so much more active! For corals its also great, but its amazing to watch the corals sway left and right due to the controller.
Im not sure if your gonna get a huge wave effect, meaning youll see the water literally waving, but those powerheads are good for flow... But im not 100% sure on how much is good for your tank.
The mainnn reason i went with the vortechs instead of the korelas is because of this amazing "under tow" thing that these vortechs have. Its all in the design, which causes a circlular flow pattern which makes my sandbed amazingly clean and also adds a little bump effect in my sand, kinda like in the ocean. Im going to find a youtube video for you which made me decide in vortechs.
Buy the contriller and try it out on your pumps... If you dont like it then just return it

 

[rcdude1990]

Wayching this video and all the other videos regarding the mp40w es just made me buy them and im very pleased with them
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bij_GAL_gic&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[oneradtek]

glad u figured it out, i love mine too keep the wetside clean or else ull have issues

 

[icedtc]

Thanks for all the great advice guys & gals.
I just purchased my led light setup which set me back a good amount...so hopefully my Koralia's hold up until I can afford the ecotech's!
For the time being I think I will give the pump controller as suggested and see how it goes from there .

 

[deton8it]

I have been told (although I haven't seen it first hand) that Koralia's will stop working if put on a timer/ wave maker/ controller. Let me know if it works out for you.
Thanks
John

 

[icedtc]

I most certainly will John. I heard there are some issues with the older Hydor pumps but not on the new evo's (from other forums, etc.).
Hopefully since I have the new evo's along with this timer made by them as well....there won't be any issues. I will know soon though!

 

[oneradtek]

koralias have given me problems for a long time. the biggest flaw is that they stop working even not on a timer. if they are not immaculately clean they sometimes need to be started manually by spinning the prop......blah

 

[icedtc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deton8it http:///t/390636/smartwave-pump-controller-questions-is-alternate-flow-better#post_3462366
I have been told (although I haven't seen it first hand) that Koralia's will stop working if put on a timer/ wave maker/ controller. Let me know if it works out for you.
Obviously my update will be better served months down the road but I did want to update the thread to let you know I got my Smartwave last night and hooked it up to my two new Koralia Evo 750's.
After playing around with the settings I am leaving them on 15 minute intervals for now just to test it out. There is a tiny "click" sound each time they switch back and forth but literally un-noticable unless you are listening for it without any other white noise in the room.
So far so good. I read that the older hydor powerheads have the issues with sometimes beginning in reverse (something having to do with an o-ring or something that needs to be replaced to fix the issue). I personally have plugged/unplugged these powerheads at least 50 times without and issue and now with this Smartwave, it should make for the ultimate test!
Again, it's only been 24 hours so it's silly to say if I will have problems but at least wanted to share this info. The build of the smartwave seems good and I really like the settings for fish feeding, etc.
I'll keep a close eye on my setup and respond after a good month + to keep you all updated!

 

[deton8it]

Do you have an update yet?
John