Problem with Korallia powerhead-fixed

[bslindgren]

I lost one of my BNs as it decided to venture inside one of my Korallia powerheads with disastrous consequences. I've had the same fish in a smaller tank with the same powerhead for over a year. I know that there are some attachments one can get to restrict access, but what other solutions are there (short of getting rid of the powerheads) Has anyone else encountered this problem?

[Mazrim Taim]

I have used the Koralia 850 and 1200 for over a year and never had any issues, I do put all attachments on that came with it though.

[andywoolloo]

I have the koralia one amd it has a special thign in the front like a screen? It's been ok so far.

[MatsP]

In desperation, you may want to try a bit of filter sponge and a rubber band or similar to cover up the intake.

--
Mats

[Barbie]

The problem with that will be that Koralia's have no intake, per se ;). They do come with a directional screen to snap on the front of them to prevent anything from getting inside with the impeller though. It should be easy enough to just always use them.

I use them quite a bit in reef tanks and I've never had an issue, but then again, there aren't exactly many plecos that can suck against that current in sw. I'd recommend just always using that guard, if it was me.

Barbie

[bslindgren]

Interestingly, neither of my two Korallias came with the attachment for the cage, so they only have a fairly open design at the front. I'll have to try to get my hands on the front parts.

[Mazrim Taim]

Interestingly, neither of my two Korallias came with the attachment for the cage, so they only have a fairly open design at the front. I'll have to try to get my hands on the front parts.

They should have come with a little plastic circular screenlike piece that snaps to the end/front of it. With 1/8-1/2 inch openings.

[Martin S]

I've just purchased a Koralia nano purely for additional water movement, and that doesn't come with a front cover either. Will check and see if it's a spare part that I could obtain.
Martin

[apistomaster]

If all else fails, you might wish to try some guard made out of nylon fly screen material. I find it to be one versatile material for a variety of fish room uses. For example, I use a wide mouth opening made from a 2-1/2" diameter clear plastic jar and lid attached with 1/2" PVC fittings and 1/2" PVC pipe to a RV hose, fitted with adapters to make the connection, to siphon water out of my tanks, unattended. I cover the inlet with a piece of fly screen held in place with a rubber band. It prevents accidentally siphoning out fairly small fish and shrimp. Even fish as large as adult Discus may get damaged by a siphon or pump inlet that is not screened. The jar's bottom is removed and becomes the fly screen covered inlet. Spreading the vacuum over a broader area prevents damage to small animals that come near the inlet. I use the same hose to refill the tanks directly from a faucet. Nothing brilliant but it does allow me to go about the water changing chores in my absent minded ways.

[marcus01]

The older models did not come with the front guards,,,
If you purchase a new model they come with the attachment to cover the front.

[bslindgren]

Thanks for all the advise - no further problems. For some reason this one BN pleco seemed intent on suicide all of a sudden. No other fish has ever attempted to get in there, and I have had these things for well over a year without problems. I noted on some of the online store web sites that Korallia 1 and 2 (which is what I have) appear to lack the front piece, whereas the larger ones have it.

[bslindgren]

I managed to fix the problem using some handicraft stuff. The result is some (probably considerable) loss of waterflow, but at least I won't lose any more fish.
I started with a $3.00 plastic canvas egg from Michaels.


Then I cut the ends out to fit the Korallia cage


I tied it into the cage using fishing line - it would have been easier with one of these quickattachment things that price tags are usually attached with, but fishing line was all I had. I trimmed off the ends of course. The picture shows the Korallia 1, where I cut it slightly too small, but it seems to work.


Finally I just mounted the cage back on, and it was done. It would have been nicer with black plastic, but I'll put up with the white to save my fish.


I tried with regular plastic mosquito netting, but it is too flimsy and the holes are too small so debris accumulates in it. The holes in these things are big enough that my loaches can get at anything stuck without endangering themselves, and it is quite sturdy plastic so it should last.

[andywoolloo]

wow!! impressive!! I love the make your own stuff!! well done!!