Let's talk about Rio's, response from Lifereef

[Anonymous]

Since the question about Rio pumps came up in the Best Smimmer (1) thread, I forwarded a link to that thread to Jeff at Lifereef. He response is as follows:

Thanks Randy, always enjoy some reading.

Being that I am not a member of this board can you post the following for me, hopefully this will be the final answer to those people who fear Rio pumps and some information on the MagDrives too. You may post the following text and note that it was submitted to you by me..............

The Rio pumps that are prone to malfunction are the 1700 and 2100, which by my reading the postings is what most mentioned fouled their aquariums or burned up. I did some research on this and did find that these two pumps do have a tendency to malfunction. Luckily I have never used these two pumps for any Lifereef product. I do use the Rio 2500, 3100, and 4100 and have never had the problems with these that the other two pumps have. And to this day I still catch flack for using Rio pumps and have to explain to every customer who says that they heard of someone who killed their aquarium with a Rio.

I have used many a submersible pump over the past 30 years in this hobby and every single one of them (all manufacturers) has either burned out, smoked, crackled, shocked me, or just quit working but never in all these years has any pump killed anything.

So please, don't knock the Rio pumps and if you do please make note to whoever you are "informing" that the pumps to stay away from are the 1700 and 2100, thats it.

The trouble I was having with MagDrive pumps, and Mag9 pumps only, is I have had to date 4 pumps break impellers in about 3 years. Being that the impeller is a molded part it makes sense that sometimes the plastic does not fill the mold cavity uniformly and can leave weak areas in the process. Four out of 100's is probably an acceptable defect ratio and E.G. Danner, the manufacturer, promptly replaced all these impellers and even sent me a few extras just in case.

Mag5 pumps and Mag7 pumps I use on my calcium reactors and also have never had an issue with them. The Mag2 pump used on my prototype calcium reactor is still going strong after 5 years of continual use. Not bad.

Believe me, the Lifereef product reputation would be in bad shape if I were to continue to use faulty or bad aftermarket products such as pumps. When I choose to use a particular product that is not made by me I do lots of research on product performance, warranty, availabitlity, etc. I won't use a product that is going to give my customers any difficulty.

Jeff

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[Anonymous]

I had a 2500 fail and melt down, it turned the whole sump into some nasty smelling dark stuff..

Luckly it was the sump return, I had to tear down and clean the heck out of the skimmer & sump (glad I wasnt running a reactor back then!) the tank was saved from disasater.. If it had been the skimmer pump, of course it would have wiped out the tank, I just got lucky is all..

I think you'll find a mix of failures, from 600's up to 3500's if you ask on here. There's another thread where a failed/meltdown rio 800 is mentioned. It's not that rare either, most people know sombody that's had it happin.

I now have overpowered saltmixers (aka rio 2500's)

fwiw, I have had other pumps fail, I just replaced a mag7 last night, the housing didnt seal anymore, it was kinda warping, there was also some discoloration, and it was starting to crack around the pegs that the cover screws onto. I had been using this one on my reactor, it was all siliconed in, did last quite a few years though, even after the silicone trick..

L8r mega

 

[smokin reefer]

Megadeath, did the mag leak any oils?

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, appears to be some type of dry material, kinda like an epoxy inside it.

 

[Ken2001]

I've had an 800 meltdown (not to the point of spoiling the water -- it just failed and when I opened it to get to the impeller, I discovered it was overheated and the sealant had begun to melt/deform). I've had two 2100s fail, again not melting down to the point of spoiling the water, though one did overheat and cause the entire circuit that the tank electronics were on to blow. I've had one 2500 fail intermitently to the point of not being able to rely on it. All of these failed in less than a year, and all were cleaned on a regular basis of about every 4 to 6 weeks. I finally switched to a Mag 7 and a Mag 9, and replaced the 800 with a powerhead. I've never had any problems to this point with the Mags, and am a bit over a year on the Mag 7.

My two cents.

Best regards,

Ken

 

[golfish]

Louey,
I know you don't want to hear this but I think you'd be better off changing your pump. Even if Jeff claims the Mag 9's break impellers, that's still better then polluting your tank. To be honest I doubt the impellers broke in use. These pumps have a ceramic shaft. If your not carefull when doing maintenece you can break them very easy. I know, I've done it.

Then again you'd be hard pressed to find somebody who has had a Rio 3100 burn up when used on a skimmer. They only seem to burn up when used as sump return..

I'd just hate to see you loose your tank over an 80.00 pump


here's a link to a few 3100 mishaps

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/sh ... genumber=1

 

[JeremyR]

The 2500 and 3100 melt down just like the 1700 and 2100. I've seen it first hand. I had 2 3100's go in the same week in the store. I to have been shocked etc. by every major brand of powerhead at some point, but I've had a much higher % of electrifying experiences with rios, and I no longer use them.

 

[JRoweNole]

I have gone through 3 MAG 7's in 2 and 1/2 years as my return pump. I just switched to a MAG 9.5.

I have had a RIO 2100 on my Euroreef skimmer for 2 and 1/2 years with no problems (knock on wood).

Go figure!


JRowenole

 

[Jimmy G]

There is definitely an issue with the Mag 7's some of them don't restart after being turned off. I have one of them. There are a bunch more out there. Maybe he should read the boards he loves to say he doesn't anymore. As for the Rio's who's he kidding? they have fried many a tank. Just do a search.

 

[reefann]

I had a 2100 burn up caught it before it fouled the water though. I still use one as a return on my 65g have had no problems. In the long run i hope to upgrade. The one that burnt up was used as a power-head.
JJ
_________________
Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball MAX'D

 

[LA-Lawman]

gee,

wouldnt you think that Taam industries aka Rio would integrate a thermocouple (spelling) into the pump design. If a 20w maxijet has one why doesnt a Rio.....

just my thoughts. I was hoping one day Aquarium Systems would make a beefier pump for skimmers and such...

anyway

just my 20 pesos