Let's Count the Broken RIOs

[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!:mad2:

 

[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.

 

[Saltwater Steve]

I lost one too... it was a RIO 800 that came with my Remora. I am so glad that I upgraded to the Maxi-jet 1200!

Speaking of which, does anyone need a RIO 800 impeller? I definitely don't need it anymore, and it is in perfect condition (for a piece of garbage that is)... free to whoever wants it!

 

[Billdemart]

I have 5 Rio heads 800, 600, 600, 90, 50

Never had a problem with any of them.

 

[mojodeli]

I have/had a RIO 2500 that came with a used set up. I have only used it for circulating new water. It fried on me last weekend and sullied my two day old water. :-|

Not a huge deal except that my water change schedule is off by a week but I hate to think what it would have done to my tank.


That thing was smoking and it smelled terrible.

 

[rhiggsbear]

Boy, this thread will never die.

Well, mine are still pumping away.

 

[The Aquarist]

Boy, this thread will never die.

Well, mine are still pumping away.

There is a great reason why this thread will never die! Many of us have had the same aggrivating experience with the same wasted money situation. Wasted money isn't the only issue. The stories I have read here at RC and other websites about RIO electrical failures, sparking outlets, stray voltage, frequently failing impellers, not turning on after being temporarily unplugged or after power outages are all very similar to my RIO experiences. Fortunately, I have not had sparks yet, but I've had 7 RIOs that I can remember over the years. One crapped out on a power outage last month and the few I have left are on their way out.

I could go on and on about the problems. Check some other RIO threads and you'll get the idea. This thread will never die and hopefully, the stories will not get any worse than the RC thread about the person who came home to a burning smell and found out it was the RIO in the sump or the person who came home to see an arcing coming from near or in the tank (I don't remember exactly, but it's not important) and sparks coming from the outlet where he plugged the RIO in. That's as bad as I hope the RIO experience will ever get for the sake and safety of all of us RIO buyers. I'm out of this game!

EX RIO CLUB 2003!
To Live .... Lo Learn ... To Throw AWAY!