Control 4 Koralia's with 1 SmartWave?

[Ghosty]

Anyone here use the Koralia SmartWave controller? I know it's never good to try to "go cheap", but I'm curious if it's a possible hold-me-over until I can afford some MP40's. What do you think about using a couple simple outlet-doublers on the pair of AC pigtails?

Only issue I think would be load, right? Koralia says 100watts max each outlet, and even a Evo-1400 lists as drawing only 6watts each, so 12w on each wave channel. Dumb idea?...

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

Good inventive thinking...I don't see it as a dumb idea. If the watts are what you say they are I don't see an issue with it. I would do it if I needed to.

 

[09bumblebee]

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod-ocean-pulse.html

Or get this

 

[Ghosty]

Interesting, the OPWM Quadra is $80, only $15 more than the SmartWave. Thx for the link, I'll just have to read more on differences and reviews.

As for the SmartWave, I could only find one UK reef site that mentioned you can "feel free to add as many pumps" as you want on each channel, as long as you stay well under 100watts. This was just a hobbyist, not Koralia though.

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod-ocean-pulse.html

Or get this

That quad looks good.
Double check your amp draw also if you do what you talked about in OP. I like my duo...it does its job without issue.

 

[09bumblebee]

I use the quadra and its been great for the past 2 years. I have one outlet on a digital timer, that powerhead points behind my rockwork and I dont want the fish being blasted at night. Its set for the light schedule. I like that its random to

 

[Haulin Oates]

I did exactly what your asking. I ran 2 1650s and 2 1050s with a smartwave. It will be fine, but I got a red sea wave maker about 6 months later and like it a lot better!

 

[Ghosty]

Damn, I've been reading a bunch of reviews about the Koralia's making annoying clicking noises when you run them on a wavemaker. This will be in my bedroom (not the big 110g on the mainfloor), so I guess I'll just have to test and see. They're used but almost a year old.

 

[Haulin Oates]

If they're the evolution series or the nano you'll be ok... It's the older ones that make horrible noises. Watch the front grill though. There is a piece in the front that keeps the koralia from starting backwards, every single one of mine except the big 1650s broke, and I've got to get new front pieces.

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

Damn, I've been reading a bunch of reviews about the Koralia's making annoying clicking noises when you run them on a wavemaker. This will be in my bedroom (not the big 110g on the mainfloor), so I guess I'll just have to test and see. They're used but almost a year old.

Mine, two evo 1400's, on occasion will make a click when they kick on. They don't constantly click, just when they first get the power supplied to them. Depending on how fast you cycle them will be how often you hear them. I don't consider it annoying or think it really detracts from the tank that much.

 

[Ghosty]

Ok, that's good to hear, I have Evo-1400's, owner said less than a year old. I've now read a bunch of threads about that (reverse-prevention) piece breaking and the clicking. If I go this route, I'll just program a wave-cycle on the longer side...

The click is only annoying if you run a shorter duty cycle, like 15 seconds, or 60 seconds. I run mine at 15 minutes so it only clicks 4x an hour, hardly annoying at all.

Depending on how fast you cycle them will be how often you hear them. I don't consider it annoying or think it really detracts from the tank that much.

Found this:

The way i stopped the clicking of the impeller dropping back into the motor is i opened them up and took some airline hose and cut it to the size of the shaft to the top of the cover .. no more popping in and out when the wave makers turns on and off...

Also, comparing the Koralia & JBJ with the RedSea WaveMaster. And someday with more $$$...

I went from four 1400gph Koralias on a Smartwave to a single MP40 and I LOVE it. My tank looks so much more realistic and I don't have to guess at what gph I need for my tank since it's adjustable.

 

[Andrew_bram]

I heard on EVOs they will send you a replacement rebuild kit if it starts that noise. Heard it on national forums sounded like they are easy to deal with