Let's Count the Broken RIOs

[alcmaeon]

Hey, its my first post! I couldn't resist when I saw this topic, as I joined this forum specifically to figure out how to make a CPR bakpak work right because the Rio it came with is SO horrible!

I've had 3 Rios, none worked longer than a year. On the other hand, I have 6 Aquaclears in 2 freshwater chiclid tanks that are going on 11 years running!

[melev]

Originally posted by alcmaeon
Hey, its my first post!

Welcome to Reef Central!

[NathanH]

3 rio 800 dead at about a month of use each.

[traveller7]

Originally posted by melev
Welcome to Reef Central!

Or alcmaeon!


To Reef Central

[Mr Bojangles]

1 dead rio

started to make a loud grinding noise and had to be started by hand

[alcmaeon]

Thanks!

[kevlouie]

got 5 rios, been running 2 of them for 9 years, never a problem, lost 5 other powerheads various makes, generally all impeller problems so....


Rios 0/5 failures
Others 5/9 failures

[Tremelle]

Rio=1 and it took 9 fish with it.
Other=0

[billzie]

First I apologize if I'm repeating info here, I didn't bother to read the entire thread.
I've had many RIOs over the years and have never had a problem, and I blame that on routine maintainence. All of the horror stories I've heard or seen first hand were with the larger RIOs and were pumps that had no maintainence, I assume they overheated and the particular resin that RIO uses melted into the tank. I believe that these failures are completely preventable with a good routine cleaning, like you should with all equipment. I've never heard/seen first hand a small RIO fail, I have heard of just about every other pump maker have failures. I wonder if the RIOs are suffering from Urban Legend status? Bill.

[Andru881]

I never had any rio's mess up but I threw away my power sweep after 4 days

[Easily Distracted]

1 - Rio 800.
Technically it's not broken. I had it up for 4 days. It sounded like crap and couldn't take the noise, so I went to the old milk crate and pulled out one of my 5 yr old Hagen's and it's been powering the skimmer ever since. It's brand new, but any pump that sounds like it's ready to explode is broken in my book. I won't even sell the thing even though it's new. I'm saving it as an emergency loaner for people in my reef club. Thanks LFS for the great recommendation!

[tleip]

0/1 failures (3100); however, it sounds like a metal grinder, so I stopped using it.

Terry

[mikeo1210]

I have a 1700 w/ impellar problem. Sounds like metal grinder also. horrible sound.

[Mr_Quality]

2 Rio pumps down
Maxi jets all the way I have four MJ on a wave maker running on high,never a problem
Ozzy

Oz,

I say a prayer before each time I turn my Rio on, they don't like to be turned off. I don't think I'd dare put one on a wave maker.


My experience:
Rio 3/3 have died in less than 1 year
Mag 0/5

Love my Mag Drives!

Mike

[melev]

Add one more Rio 800 to the list. I'm done with it!

And Billzie, I have to disagree. I'm probably one of the more meticulous people when it comes to cleaning my equipment as regular maintenance. This Rio looks perfect, but isn't.

[johnrags1234]

My retunr pump was manufactured by commodity axis. These are same people who manufacture the rio's. Well I had no idea of this until my pump nurned out and I started looking for a new impeller.

From all the horror st ories Ive heard here, I ditched it and bought a new brand.

John

[alcmaeon]

I have to agree with Johnrags, I clean all my pumps (and everything else) with care and regularity. My longest lasting Rio only lasted as long as it did because I cleaned it to virgin status every week. No urban legend on my end, I lived the legend ;-)

I do agree that no pump is perfect and every brand gets a lemon now and again. Rio just seems to own the lemon tree.

[billzie]

Not necessarily defending Rios, but this topic comes up now and again and most of the folks b-in aobut it didn't have a failure, but they've heard about it happening. All pumps will fail if not taken care of. And all pump mfgs will have some lemons. Another issue is that folks are more willing to complain then to praise, on any issue. JMO/E. Bill.

[billzie]

Just thought of another factor that would need sales figures to prove, but, it seems that alot of very popular pieces of equipment in our hobby come with Rios. Maybe there are just so many more of them out there. Also, as with any submersed pump, when they fail it is generally catastrophic. Bill.

[rnsmith]

Let's try it like this:

There are Black & Decker tools - Cheap, many sold/"popular," many melted. And, there are Porter Cable, Milwaukee, etc. tools. More expensive, not so many sold/not as "popular," very capable and reliable.

Rios are the Black and Deckers of the water pump world.

2 big ones bought, two big ones melted.

I hate cheap tools and equipment!

Rich

[XsploveReefin]

Mine Just broke BOOOOO Rios They Suck

[looser]

Just to clear things up about lemons and lack of proper maintenance. I had four brand new RIO 2100's they all failed in the first three weeks.

[Ride928]

Rio=1 of 1 dead
Hagen=0 of 1 dead
Maxijet=0 of 1 dead
Powersweep=0 of 2 dead (they still sweep too)

[MIKEDOC]

2 IN 3 MONTHS..
THEY SUCK.......

[Runner]

My RIO 180 is still going strong after 6 months circulating water. That is my only one, though.