Let's Count the Broken RIOs - Page 3

SteveP · 08/02/2002, 02:01 PM

Lost my one (and only ) 2100 after 33 days of use. Just past the time when my vendor would replace it so I had to go to Rio to do it. I didn't bother and got myself an AquaClear. That was over a year ago and it's still running great.

Steve
8{I

aschroeder · 08/02/2002, 02:03 PM

I run a Turboflotor Skimmer that requires a Rio pump to operate it. Does anyone know if I can swap it with a different brand. Will a Mag work? I'd like to get it out of my tank before it craps out on me.

Tennsquire · 08/02/2002, 03:13 PM

Man, I love the smell of blood in the water. Smells like.......VICTORY!

Screw getting stores to stop selling them. Maybe TAAM needs to have some $$$ taken off their hands so they realize the importance of making safer products. Hmmmmmm.......

I've only ever had one Rio, a 600 on a BackPak skimmer, and it was okay and never crapped out on me. The big ones sound scary. I use MagDrives for my bigger pumps. I've also had some Hagen's since like 1995, and they still run fine to mix salt and so forth (not in dedicated tank use).

dragon0121 · 08/02/2002, 03:29 PM

Rios owned 2 / 2 failed each at about 6 months
MaxiJet owned 7 / 0 failed, although 2 won't restart after power outage, smack them around to go. 3 @ 2+ years, 4 @ 1+ years.
1 Penguin given with fresh water tank, won't restart after power outage, smack it around to go.
2 Mag12 pumps been running 2+ years, no problem.

grafxguy · 08/02/2002, 03:42 PM

Rio 7/0 - never any problems just noisy at start-up
Penguins 3/1 - just stopped working, no harm
MJ 8/0 - by far the best and quietest

The thing with RIOs is that you have to use them like powerheads not like pumps. Even though the large ones are dubbed as "PUMPS" they are just big powerheads.

Anything can fail. Use what you like and be happy.

eric

tyesmithND · 08/02/2002, 04:32 PM

All right folks,

As the starter of the thread I think it might be safe to say that for a large number of people the Rios have been a real disappointment. I didn't want to waste the time to count but I think the number from the post is well over 40 and counting.

If any of you run across a new member to RC who is seeking advice about return pumps or power heads please kindly direct them to this post.

Thanks for everyone's responses and maybe we will save someone a buck or two.

Have a good one

Tye

Kaos · 08/02/2002, 05:32 PM

Rio's owned=1 (came with skimmer and still running, 4 months)
Shark = 2 (8 months old, still running)
Regent= 2 (don't joke their on my premixed salt water container,
BTW, they are over 1 year old, and still work perfect)

I have never had any trouble (fingers crossed) with restarting the Rio on my skimmer after I cleaned it. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything I have to go out of town tonight, I hope that Rio doesn't burn my skimmer and tank out tonight,

Canada_Dry · 08/02/2002, 06:11 PM

WouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t it be much easier to just count the WORKING RIO's? LOL.

cruehead · 08/02/2002, 06:30 PM

I think Canada_dry has the right idea!!
anyways put me down for 3

Kevin Williams · 08/02/2002, 06:35 PM

What really pi$$es me off is that many companies that make skimmers use Rios because to the best of my knowledge they are the only rejuvenating power heads available. Skimmers like the Excalibur that are junk because of the crap powering it. Hey I have an idea. Until these companies replace the pumps, quit buying their skimmers. I did. I will not touch anything that comes with a Rio. The manufacturers of Rio pumps should see this thread. Perhaps we could file a class action lawsuit against them and then they would listen.

Pipeman · 08/02/2002, 06:40 PM

My Rio 2100 died 3 weeks ago after 7 months of use with my skimmer. It blew a fuse totally shutting my reef down. I had tar all over my sump and when I removed it it smelled like an electrical fire. I looked in my 125 gallon tank and saw my two tangs laying on the bottom in shock and all my corals were closed. After 5 or 6 hours the tangs improved but some corals took a day or two to return to normal. Luckly nothing was lost except another Rio customer. Never again.

Waterboy · 08/02/2002, 07:13 PM

aschroeder,

Glad to see another Iowa Reefer! I have the same problem with the Turboflotor. PA has a replacement pump. You can find out more details if you do a search on the Turboflotor.

gregt · 08/03/2002, 05:13 PM

Quote:

My Rio 2100 died 3 weeks ago after 7 months of use with my skimmer. It blew a fuse totally shutting my reef down. I had tar all over my sump and when I removed it it smelled like an electrical fire.

Just to clarify for those that haven't been around for the 100 past RIO threads. The problem that I've seen described over and over is not that they fail (ok, that is a problem to, but not the MAIN problem), the problem is that they frequently fail catastrophically (including releasing electricity, and melted plastic into the tank, as well as catching fire), which, if even a fraction of these descriptions are accurate, not only makes them a safety hazard, it makes them a VERY bad investment for your reef tank.

RooFish · 08/03/2002, 05:33 PM

Just as a side note, I think a lot of the skimmers that come with rios (excaliburs) are crap anyway.

I wonder why rios do that. There has to be some sort of large design flaw to make that happen.

Pipeman · 08/03/2002, 06:04 PM

The design flaw is that there is no thermal overload protection. If the impellar hangs it gets so hot that the epoxy sealing the pump literally explodes exposing the internal motor and wiring. Tar is released and 120 volts are dicharged to the water. It takes awhile for the 20 amp fuse in the breaker box to blow. I suppose a GFCI would have helped with the voltage but I am not sure of the toxicity of the oozing tar like substance. I am not sure what caused the pump to seize I had just cleaned and inspected it a few days earlier. My skimmer is an integral component of my sump a CPR. I have not been able to find another brand pump to replace the Rio. My next move will be to buy a new skimmer and use an external pump.The CPR skimmer when tuned does a good job but keeping it tuned is a daily chore and the Rio pump is far from acceptable. Live and learn I guess.

vmiller · 08/03/2002, 07:36 PM

Rio 2100 never turned back on. It was less than 1 month old.

abran · 08/03/2002, 07:58 PM

2 rios and 1 MJ that had the power cord come right out of the body while it was still in use.

vinman · 08/03/2002, 09:47 PM

My Rio 2100 and 90 are still going after 1 yr! Waiting for the big crash!!!

yikan · 08/03/2002, 10:17 PM

It would help if all of us could mention what rio models have broken or still up and running.

I am using rio 90 to feed water to Ca reactor (only rio has the small powerheads I know that come with an airline adaptor so no extra devices necessary to suck water to the airline directly). It has been in service for only a short period of time (2 month) and hopefully rio's small powerheads are more relaible.

JesterGrin · 08/03/2002, 10:52 PM

Rio's 2 both dead lol. a 2100 and a 3100 both of them the empeller came apart and to replace it would cost almost as much as the pump itself. Used them for mixing salt water and also for taking the salter water from the garbage can to the tank. Never again i will be going with a MAG this next time around.

Maxi Jets i have five been running over two years model 1200 and they still work great.

Downer · 08/04/2002, 12:00 AM

1 Rio 2800 ss down. The thing worked but was so noisy it could be heard in the next room with the door closed and this was a brand new pump! I wont use another Rio if it is given to me free of charge

.

tentacle · 08/04/2002, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yikan
and hopefully rio's small powerheads are more relaible.

Yikan, they are. I have 2 180s and a 90 on a nano upstairs. Have never had any issues. Never any non-restarts. Although I have not owned any of the larger models, it is obviously apparent that they are definitely to be avoided. Also, there are UL listed Rios that are sold at a higher cost then the non-UL listed ones. I believe a large majority of these bad Rio experiences have occured with the cheaper, non-UL listed ones. JMO.

Klobee · 08/04/2002, 08:37 PM

I LOVE MY RIO'S, THEY ARE SOOOO QUIET THEY DON'T EVEN SOUND LIKE THEY ARE RUNNING!!!

ohh wait, it is probably because they AREN'T!!!

Rick K.

donut · 08/04/2002, 09:09 PM

Just retired a 2100 after about 7 years of trusty faithful service. I got out. I'd never buy another one.

mx_tang · 08/05/2002, 07:18 AM

Out of 4 of the larger Rio powerheads, two have failed and one has leaked stray voltage into the tank electrocuting me. I have about 6 of the smaller Rio's and none of those have failed at all on me thus far. They are all under a year old and I still wonder to this day why I bought so many of these in the first place.

Mike

08/02/2002, 02:01 PM	#51
SteveP Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bethlehem, Pa. USA Posts: 522	Lost my one (and only ) 2100 after 33 days of use. Just past the time when my vendor would replace it so I had to go to Rio to do it. I didn't bother and got myself an AquaClear. That was over a year ago and it's still running great. Steve 8{I __________________ Between ourselves and the savage hunters our ancestors...intervene some four or five hundred generations. Make men only sufficiently jealous or fearful or drunken or angry, and the hot red eyes of th Current Tank Info: 135 gal. DSB reef w/2x400 MH & 3 VHO lighting

08/02/2002, 02:03 PM	#52
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	I have to use a Rio I run a Turboflotor Skimmer that requires a Rio pump to operate it. Does anyone know if I can swap it with a different brand. Will a Mag work? I'd like to get it out of my tank before it craps out on me.

08/02/2002, 06:35 PM	#60
Kevin Williams Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Gallatin, TN Posts: 93	What really pi$$es me off is that many companies that make skimmers use Rios because to the best of my knowledge they are the only rejuvenating power heads available. Skimmers like the Excalibur that are junk because of the crap powering it. Hey I have an idea. Until these companies replace the pumps, quit buying their skimmers. I did. I will not touch anything that comes with a Rio. The manufacturers of Rio pumps should see this thread. Perhaps we could file a class action lawsuit against them and then they would listen. __________________ It really isn't my hobby. It is more like an addiction. h

08/03/2002, 05:33 PM	#64
RooFish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lansing MI & Oberlin OH Posts: 821	Just as a side note, I think a lot of the skimmers that come with rios (excaliburs) are crap anyway. I wonder why rios do that. There has to be some sort of large design flaw to make that happen. __________________ Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it. -Pre Current Tank Info: I've moved around too much these past 4 years to have one

08/03/2002, 07:58 PM	#67
abran Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: houston texas Posts: 80	2 rios and 1 MJ that had the power cord come right out of the body while it was still in use. __________________ Abran Ramirez Houston ,Texas Current Tank Info: 200 gal. reef

08/02/2002, 03:13 PM	#53
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	Man, I love the smell of blood in the water. Smells like.......VICTORY! Screw getting stores to stop selling them. Maybe TAAM needs to have some $$$ taken off their hands so they realize the importance of making safer products. Hmmmmmm....... I've only ever had one Rio, a 600 on a BackPak skimmer, and it was okay and never crapped out on me. The big ones sound scary. I use MagDrives for my bigger pumps. I've also had some Hagen's since like 1995, and they still run fine to mix salt and so forth (not in dedicated tank use).

08/02/2002, 03:29 PM	#54
dragon0121 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Topeka, KS U.S.A. Posts: 1,189	Rios owned 2 / 2 failed each at about 6 months MaxiJet owned 7 / 0 failed, although 2 won't restart after power outage, smack them around to go. 3 @ 2+ years, 4 @ 1+ years. 1 Penguin given with fresh water tank, won't restart after power outage, smack it around to go. 2 Mag12 pumps been running 2+ years, no problem.

08/02/2002, 03:42 PM	#55
grafxguy WRS Co-******* Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 1,711	Rio 7/0 - never any problems just noisy at start-up Penguins 3/1 - just stopped working, no harm MJ 8/0 - by far the best and quietest The thing with RIOs is that you have to use them like powerheads not like pumps. Even though the large ones are dubbed as "PUMPS" they are just big powerheads. Anything can fail. Use what you like and be happy. eric

08/02/2002, 04:32 PM	#56
tyesmithND Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Austin Posts: 190	All right folks, As the starter of the thread I think it might be safe to say that for a large number of people the Rios have been a real disappointment. I didn't want to waste the time to count but I think the number from the post is well over 40 and counting. If any of you run across a new member to RC who is seeking advice about return pumps or power heads please kindly direct them to this post. Thanks for everyone's responses and maybe we will save someone a buck or two. Have a good one Tye

08/02/2002, 05:32 PM	#57
Kaos "Lurker" Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,131	Rio's owned=1 (came with skimmer and still running, 4 months) Shark = 2 (8 months old, still running) Regent= 2 (don't joke their on my premixed salt water container, BTW, they are over 1 year old, and still work perfect) I have never had any trouble (fingers crossed) with restarting the Rio on my skimmer after I cleaned it. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything I have to go out of town tonight, I hope that Rio doesn't burn my skimmer and tank out tonight,

08/02/2002, 06:11 PM	#58
Canada_Dry Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: TN Posts: 111	WouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t it be much easier to just count the WORKING RIO's? LOL.

08/02/2002, 06:30 PM	#59
cruehead Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 408	I think Canada_dry has the right idea!! anyways put me down for 3

08/02/2002, 06:40 PM	#61
Pipeman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Chicago Posts: 15	My Rio 2100 died 3 weeks ago after 7 months of use with my skimmer. It blew a fuse totally shutting my reef down. I had tar all over my sump and when I removed it it smelled like an electrical fire. I looked in my 125 gallon tank and saw my two tangs laying on the bottom in shock and all my corals were closed. After 5 or 6 hours the tangs improved but some corals took a day or two to return to normal. Luckly nothing was lost except another Rio customer. Never again.

08/02/2002, 07:13 PM	#62
Waterboy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Ames, Iowa Posts: 126	aschroeder, Glad to see another Iowa Reefer! I have the same problem with the Turboflotor. PA has a replacement pump. You can find out more details if you do a search on the Turboflotor.

08/03/2002, 06:04 PM	#65
Pipeman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Chicago Posts: 15	The design flaw is that there is no thermal overload protection. If the impellar hangs it gets so hot that the epoxy sealing the pump literally explodes exposing the internal motor and wiring. Tar is released and 120 volts are dicharged to the water. It takes awhile for the 20 amp fuse in the breaker box to blow. I suppose a GFCI would have helped with the voltage but I am not sure of the toxicity of the oozing tar like substance. I am not sure what caused the pump to seize I had just cleaned and inspected it a few days earlier. My skimmer is an integral component of my sump a CPR. I have not been able to find another brand pump to replace the Rio. My next move will be to buy a new skimmer and use an external pump.The CPR skimmer when tuned does a good job but keeping it tuned is a daily chore and the Rio pump is far from acceptable. Live and learn I guess.

08/03/2002, 07:36 PM	#66
vmiller Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,243	Rio 2100 never turned back on. It was less than 1 month old.

08/03/2002, 09:47 PM	#68
vinman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance, Ca Posts: 316	My Rio 2100 and 90 are still going after 1 yr! Waiting for the big crash!!!

08/03/2002, 10:17 PM	#69
yikan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 477	It would help if all of us could mention what rio models have broken or still up and running. I am using rio 90 to feed water to Ca reactor (only rio has the small powerheads I know that come with an airline adaptor so no extra devices necessary to suck water to the airline directly). It has been in service for only a short period of time (2 month) and hopefully rio's small powerheads are more relaible.

08/03/2002, 10:52 PM	#70
JesterGrin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Antonio.TX Posts: 44	Rio's :( Rio's 2 both dead lol. a 2100 and a 3100 both of them the empeller came apart and to replace it would cost almost as much as the pump itself. Used them for mixing salt water and also for taking the salter water from the garbage can to the tank. Never again i will be going with a MAG this next time around. Maxi Jets i have five been running over two years model 1200 and they still work great.

08/04/2002, 12:00 AM	#71
Downer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lawton, OKLA Posts: 33	1 Rio 2800 ss down. The thing worked but was so noisy it could be heard in the next room with the door closed and this was a brand new pump! I wont use another Rio if it is given to me free of charge .

08/04/2002, 08:37 PM	#73
Klobee Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 77	ONE GOOD THING ABOUT RIOS I LOVE MY RIO'S, THEY ARE SOOOO QUIET THEY DON'T EVEN SOUND LIKE THEY ARE RUNNING!!! ohh wait, it is probably because they AREN'T!!! Rick K. __________________ "I can see their mouths moving, but I just can't hear the words." >('o')<

08/04/2002, 09:09 PM	#74
donut Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: maryland's eastern shore Posts: 304	Just retired a 2100 after about 7 years of trusty faithful service. I got out. I'd never buy another one.

08/05/2002, 07:18 AM	#75
mx_tang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,099	Out of 4 of the larger Rio powerheads, two have failed and one has leaked stray voltage into the tank electrocuting me. I have about 6 of the smaller Rio's and none of those have failed at all on me thus far. They are all under a year old and I still wonder to this day why I bought so many of these in the first place. Mike