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.
Let's Count the Broken RIOs
- Thread starter tyesmithND
- Start date
gregt
Premium Member
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.
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.
yikan
New member
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.
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
New member
Rio's 
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.
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.
tentacle
Premium Member
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.yikan said:
mx_tang
New member
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
Mike
Kevomac
New member
I have two 180's on my reef, running about two years nopw and have no problems with them. Also use a 2100 for mixing my saltwater and its doing fine. I bought Rios when my Maxi-Jets 500's started failing because of bad impellers. I couldn't find new impellers anywhere and the LFS said Rio's were better anyway. I do want to check if mine are UL listed now. Anyone else know anything about that?
canadawest
New member
i just had another one fail on me. It was another rio 2100. My 3200 is starting to make a noise that sounds like it is crushing something. I took it apart and found nothing but the pump is still making noise. I guess i will use it till i can find something better. I really dont have a choice since it is the one i use for my chiller. what else is everyone using for their tanks? I need something that can move alot of water and not break down like the RIO's.
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