Loaches Online Forum

I just received my new Hydor Koralia Nano Pump (425gph) for my loaches and unfortunately I snapped the red insert when trying to install the suction cup/magnet. I contacted the online store from where I ordered it from and they said they will replace it free of charge.

I know that many members on here own Koralias, and my question is, how do you guys install the suction cup without snapping the red insert? The installation looked pretty straight forward so I pushed both ends together with both my palms and then I saw it bend and snap, it's gone! With it being broken, the representative suggested putting the suction cup in hot water for when I get the new one. I tried doing this with the broken insert and I still found it impossible to put the peg in the suction cup.

I think the suction cup is way too stiff and rigid and the peg should be made of metal or thicker plastic. I wouldn't mind paying a little more for better parts. If anyone has any suggestions on installing the suction cup for my new pump when it comes in, that would be great. If not I will probably have to seek help from my LFS that sells these and get them to figure it out. I kind of feel like an idiot for breaking something that seems like a very simple install, but then again it is plastic.

I guess I have been lucky not to break them, but I agree that they sure look like the weak point. I wonder if a little smear of petroleum jelly or a drop of vegetable oil would help?

My koralia 4 and 8 both feel a little cheap in general, but nothing has every broken on either unit. When installing the suction cup to the end of the red pivot, I did notice that it didn't seat nearly as deep as I was expecting it to. I thought more of the red shaft sat into the body of the suction cup than actually did, and had to push way less hard/far than I thought I would (if this makes any sense). Next time, I would go with Diana's suggestion and use a little bit of something to help it slip on, and don't use much force.

The oil sounds like a good suggestion. I'll probably try that with the new one and not force it like I did with the previous one. I think that maybe the nano has a much thinner and fragile shaft on the red insert piece when compared to the larger models, making it very easy to break.