One of the keys to a successful aquarium is the movement. The Koralia Nano are the perfect pumps for everyone who has nanoreefs or wants to add the right motion.
This article is also available in: italiano.
We’ve already talked a lot about how the movement is vital for any kind of aquarium on our YouTube channel. In fact, the movement allows the right oxigenation of the tank, prevents debris from accumulating on the corners of the aquarium, brings food to the polyps of the corals, helps the corals to get clean of their own mucus… In short, it is a fundamental element for every aquarium, whether it’s fish, corals or filter feeding animals.
But often, when we speak of small tanks, like nanoreefs, the choice is quite small. But today we’re presenting the Koralia Nano, Hydor’s offer for these aquariums!
Our presentation video of the Koralia Nano
As usual we wanted to do a video review of the Koralia Nano as well, so that you can get an even better idea than from the pictures only.
Technical characteristics of the Koralia Nano
The Koralia Nano are a family of three pumps, specifically designed for nanoreef. Let’s see their technical characteristics.
| Flow rate | Power consumption | Suggested volume for freshwater | Suggested volume for marine | |
| Koralia 900 | 900 l/h | 4,5 watt | 60-100 liters | 36-60 liters |
| Koralia 1200 | 1.200 l/h | 4,5 watt | 100-180 liters | 64-100 liters |
| Koralia 2200 | 2.200 l/h | 4 watt | 140-250 liters | 90-140 liters |
Why today we trust the rate declared by Hydor
We all know how difficult is to measure the rate of a movement pump. When we refer to a return pump it’s way easier, because you just have to purchase a flow detector like our DigiSavant DIGIFLOW 6710M, that has to be inserted in the pipe in front of the pump and, once considered some lacks and frictional effects, you’ve done.
When we have a movement pump everything is more complicated. Every company has, in time, patented its own method of measurement. Back to 2011, some companies adopted some measurement methods that were considered bizarre by others, like, for example, placing a plastic bag in front of the pump and measuring the time needed to fill it up. For this reason, years ago has been conducted a research in collaboration with the Penn State University and sponsored by Ecotech Marine, that measured scientifically the flow rate of every movement pump from 2011.
At that time we wrote an article about: “Tunze and Vortech… what’s the real flow rate of the pumps? And how it’s actually important?” with the data emerged from the study, but I can anticipate the results that interest us right now (also because the article is in Italian): the Hydor Koralia 5, 6, 7 and 8, measured at time, were the ones whose values were the most in line with the declared data. Actually, for the small Koralia 5, the measured value was significantly higher than the declared one.
Since we don’t believe that Hydor changed its method, we are reasonably certain that the values declared for this Koralia Nno would be accurate.
It works with glass of 10 mm of thickness
The Koralia Nano can be used on glass of a maximum of 10 mm of thickness. And everything thanks to this Hydor‘s invention, the magnetosucker.
As the name itself suggests, it’s the combination of a magnet and a suction cup. In the picture above you can see the two parts of the magnetosucker. This combination guarantees a solid grip and, at the same time, the almost complete removal of any vibration. The result is that these pumps are extremely silent. To see if they’re on, you have to observe the impeller or pick up the supply cable to feel a weak vibration.
Suggested aquariums
If we considered its declared rate of 2.200 l/h we could say that a couple of these pumps would be perfect for an average marine aquarium with fish and soft corals or LPS until 220 liters. That’s because we consider a motion equal to ten times the volume of the aquarium provided by two alternating pumps, otherwise, if you wanted to use them in an aquarium of hard corals SPS the volume would be reduced to about 100 liters.
But instead, speaking of freshwater aquariums, these numbers could be increased even more, until 400 liters, because of the less need of movement that they have, compared with marine aquariums.
In any case, we are always considering a couple of pumps, not only a single pump as Hydor indicates in its own instructions.
The impeller of the pump is a classic double helix impeller (extremely smal,l seen the size of the pump and its power consumption!) with its shaft embedded in the pump body. The impeller is easily inserted in its own shaft. The assembling and the disassembling are two very easy operations. In fact removing the shell it’s very intuitive, because you only have to press laterally; when you riassemble it, just remember to insert the pin inside the end of the impeller.
Hydor Koralia nano: final comment about the pumps for nanoreefs
If you have a freshwater or marine aquarium that needs movement and, at the same time, you aren’t interested in a flow control, these are the pumps you’re looking for. They’re absolutely inaudible and with 2.200 liters of rate generated by only 4 watt. The flow is wide and gentle and perfect also for smaller aquariums, often forgotten and mistreated by the producers. Consider that the 900 liters version can also be used in 40 liters aquariums, It’s impossible to ask for more at this level.
Maybe the only flaw could be the price, because 41,90 euro aren’t a few. Even though they can be found at a much lower price online, for example on Amazon. All considered, it’s the perfect pump for every nanoreef, especially those under 100 liters. Low consumption and total silence. What else do we need?
Finally, we leave you to our guide about how to place optimally the movement pumps: Come posizionare le pompe di movimento in acquario marino – guida
PROS
Finally a pump designed for smaller aquariums; Very small size; Magnetosucker system; Totally inaudible; Very low power consumption; Suitable for glass until 10 mm of thickness; Wide and gentle flow;
CONS
The price; The pump isn’t adjustable;
Hydor Koralia G3 – summary
| Quality of the construction |  |
| Quality | |
| Quality price ratio |  |
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Disclaimer: We thank Hydor for providing us the Koralia Nano for this review.
