SunSun twin head powerhead

[stephj03]

Thought I'd share my experience. Koralia Clones for K1-5 as well as the nano are available on ebay via China. Although there isn't a clone for the higher Koralia magnums there is a dual head version of the K3 and K5 clones.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3200-GPH-AQUARIUM-DUAL-TWIN-POWER-HEAD-WAVE-MAKER-PUMP_W0QQitemZ150376459120QQihZ005QQcategoryZ46312 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3 DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

I ordered a dual head K5 clone from an importer based out of Rancho Cucamonga and it arrived on my doorstep 3 days later well packed. The one I have is rated for 3200 gph was just under $30 shipped. Mine came with suction cups but for $15 more you can get the magnetic base plate.

I have one of these on either side of my 240 and compared to my MJ mods these put out a much wider flow even when comparing 2 MJ mods to one of these. I had previously tried a Koralia Magnum 8 (3000gph) and it was far too powerful for my application. At 24" away it was blowing some of the skin off of my SPS and gave a moderate displacement of my sandbed. This product fit nicely in the middle of the 2 afore mentioned products.

[bpro32]

but it only is available for you big tank guys at 3200 gph :/

good deal otherwise though. How are those suction cups holding?

[stephj03]

I had previosly tried the K5 clone as a replacement for a pair of K4s on my old 90 and found them to be the slight upgrade I was anticipating as compared to my K4s. Those came with magnetic base plates for around $35 shipped (at the time the price of a used k4). Similar to this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUNSUN-JVP-102B-JVP-12W-WAVE-MAKER-MAGNET-BASE-PUMP_W0QQitemZ160396723819QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item255863c66b

From what I remember the magnets on these are covered in acrylic instead of the silicone rubber on the Koralias. But the magnet was much stronger than the Koralia.

[stephj03]

The only thing is you have to make sure the listing is for one that will run on 110v. Some of them are 220. This information is usually in the description of the item in the listing.

[stephj03]

There are clones for smaller sizes now. Though after shipping it might not be worth it over buying a koralia if considering one of the smaller versions.

800gph version:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUNSUN-JVP-101B-...item255573994b

500gph version:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-Aquarium-Mini...item3a531277b2

[bpro32]

now we're talking... I just might give one of these a try. Any thoughts on whether they can be run with a wavemaker?

[stephj03]

I think it's like running koralias on a wavemaker. There may be some chatter at start up but it should be okay. I ran 2 k4s and 2 of the 5000lph knockoffs on a wavemaster pro when I had my 90 and I couldn't tell the difference. I think Hydor says running the non controllable Koralias on a wavemaker can shorten the lifespan of the pump, but I ran mine for a year or so without issue.

[bpro32]

It even says on there that it is hydor design... does it say whether or not it is ul listed?

[stephj03]

IDK. I threw the box away already. If your ever up North, Tom at Socal tropical has some of these at his shop next to the Koralias. I'm sure he could tell you. My understanding is that Hydor is having them manufactured in China and the ones that look exactly like the Koralias come from the same factory. Coralvue is going to call theirs the highseas powerhead and it is suppose to come in twin head and hybrid single head forms.

[bpro32]

If they're sold in LFS I'd be willing to bet that they are. I actually want to take a trip up that way soon so maybe I'll check them out there. That will be much better than paying for shipping.. Thanks for the heads up on these!

[stephj03]

You might not pay for shipping but you're definitely going to help him pay his light bill. I was going to buy one when I saw them the last time I was there. I think he was selling the 1500gph twin head for what the 3200gph twin head goes for on ebay shipped. Tom's a great guy, but he's gotta make a living too. I would check the ebay prices before you go up and compare for yourself. Although for the smaller ones it might be a wash.

[jt_milstead]

If im not mistaken these were recalled about a month or so ago...Be careful...

[Nick_Kun]

http://www.esainspection.net/pdf/Recall_Notices/RCL09-55.pdf

[jt_milstead]

There ya go..Thanks Nick

[stephj03]

Wow! I guess I got lucky with mine. I use to have 2 of the 13 watters. Used them for a year or so with no issue. I guess I'll find out if things were corrected in the 6mo since the recall.

[davocean]

Yeah, I had one of those too, they did push alot of water, and cheap, but the recall thing...
I think it's hit and miss w/ these, maybe a quality control issue.