The Koralia Evolution 1400 gives the reef aquarist more choices than ever when it comes to propeller water pumps: with so many aquarium water flow products on the market the first generation products are starting to show their age but thankfully, 2nd generation prop pumps are really starting to come into their own. We think Hydor has done a good job of revamping their line of Koralia water pumps and the Koralia Evolution pumps show more than a smattering of desirable features. Reduced size, lower power consumption, higher flow, noise reducing magnet mount and a well finished, tight-fitting assembly all bring the Evolution Koralias back to the top of the list when considering reef aquarium water flow devices. Huge hands on pictorial of the Evolution Koralia 1400 after the break.
I’ve been using the Evo Koralia 1400 for a couple weeks right alongside a tunze nano stream 6045 and in overall output they are both very close. The rating of 1400 gph is believable as the force of the water exiting the Evolution Koralia 1400 is right in line with a Vortech MP10 and the Tunze Nano Stream 6045. The Evolution Koralias may still look like a football but the size is greatly reduced and much more streamlines than the first gen Koralias. At this point the performance of most propeller water pumps are very much in line with one another and purchases are going to be decided more on price and availability than raw flow rates. The three medium sized Koralia Evolution are all the same physical size but for a look at the Evo Koralia 1050 check out our previous post.
Let’s begin with the noise-reducing magnet mount
Here you can see how the rubber O-rings keep the rubber feet in place
Remove an O-ring can you can get a good look at the whole noise-dampening mechanism. Let’s hope this void doesn’t become a biofouling hotspot.
All of the parts of the magnet mount, inside and out
Here is the Hydor standalone without any mount
A closer look at the larger half of the intake strainer
The exit nozzle of the Evo Korallia 1400
the intake strainer has obvious and tight fitting tabs which make access to the innards much more straightforward
The inside of the removable front strainer, showing the rubber padded circular tab which ensures the propeller spins the right direction
Side view of the rear motor assembly
The motor block with the attached rear strainer
At this angle you can see that this puppy has no shaft, but why it still has a shaft hole is a mystery to us
Here’s a lineup of several ~1200-1600 gph-ish aquarium propeller pumps; I didnt have the actuating arm for the sureflow mod of the maxi jet so I just stuck it on a magnet; normally it would stick out about as far as the Evo Koralia 1400. look at the Vortech MP10 on the left looking all smug because the motor is mounted outside the tank, let’s bring it down to size.
Left to right: Vortech MP10, Tunze Nano Stream 6045, Evo Koralia 1400, Modded MaxiJet 1200
Now showing all the sub $100 propeller water pumps and the power struggle for size/flow/price starts getting very close, fine water flow choices all of them.
FTC regulations require that we inform you that we were given this product for review, but our opinion of a product is never affected by how we acquire them.
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