Let's Count the Broken RIOs

[jarhed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8399144#post8399144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pico Keeper
the first time I turned them on, they turned my tank into a whirlpool of sand and fish.. I had instant xenia frags for everyone!

 

[jarhed]

If I had a dime for every person in a LFS that I whispered to in an attempt to keep them from electrocuting themselves by buying a Rio, I'd be a millionaire. Seriously, every time I go into the store near where I live, I find myself trying to talk someone out of buying a dangerous product like a Rio after the owner spent 10 minutes trying to get them to spend real money on that piece of crap.

 

[the3kgt2]

I just bought a rio +1400UL for my sump. Does the UL rating mean it's safe?

 

[coralnut99]

I wouldn't buy one if it had the Pope's stamp of approval.

 

[Chrismo]

3 Rios, never a problem.
2 Hagen aquaclears, needed new prop after 6 years.
1 Tunze - Sometimes has trouble starting up
2 Maxijets - Flawless!

Most people without problems are not going to post. If you make a thread called Broken Tunzes, you'll get lots of complaining about them too. (Though I do still think Tunzes are well made)

Chris

 

[coralnut99]

Start a thread about peoples experiences with Maxijets going up in smoke, or even not re-starting, and I bet you won't have 18 pages in that thread and others.

 

[Anemonebuff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=703976#post703976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tyesmithND
It might just be me but i am starting to see a patern.

Anyone out there is the LFS or retail world have any clue why so many companies use them.

Put another way: Why supply your product with a pump (a very important piece) that is known to break? Reputation is important so i guess the money must be good

Most people do not know their rep, so the money keeps flowing.

 

[jarhed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8400303#post8400303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chrismo
3 Rios, never a problem.
2 Hagen aquaclears, needed new prop after 6 years.
1 Tunze - Sometimes has trouble starting up
2 Maxijets - Flawless!

Most people without problems are not going to post. If you make a thread called Broken Tunzes, you'll get lots of complaining about them too. (Though I do still think Tunzes are well made)

Chris

Lets face it though, Tunzes generally dont EXPLODE or leak OIL or ELECTROCUTE people. Yeah, pumps die, but for the love of God, ELECTROCUTION? SPEWING OIL? Seriously, Rio's are in a completely different league of manure.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I've cut a couple of rios in half to check, there is no oil in them. Any product that goes in water that includes a power cord has the potential to shock you. I am more concerned with the failures with the split cases. If the coil melts down you just put copper (and who knows what else) in the tank, not good.

 

[jarhed]

I agree Grim, but I personally have never heard of any stories of other brands splitting open like the many MANY Rio stories. Have you?

The frequency of these stories about Rio's is enough to steer me clear of that garbage for as long as I am involved in this hobby.

 

[xtm]

I had a $19.95 Rio 800 that took down $2K+ worth of livestock in one day. Talk about nuking the whole tank..

 

[lgoins]

For all those who have rio pumps on their Coralife skimmers, what is a good option for replacing these pumps?

 

[ccscscpc]

I have a couple that are still good. I dont use them as everyday pumps though....they are spares and for just in case type of situations.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8402903#post8402903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jarhed
I agree Grim, but I personally have never heard of any stories of other brands splitting open like the many MANY Rio stories. Have you?

The frequency of these stories about Rio's is enough to steer me clear of that garbage for as long as I am involved in this hobby.

I have never heard of other pumps splitting opened like that either, that is why I think it would be good to know if those are the UL listed versions or not.

Rio is selling tons of pumps, it should come as no suprise that you hear about them failing when they out sell other brands 10 or 20 to 1 but the case splitting open is a different story.

 

[Chad Vossen]

two rios dead. one died while mixing saltwater. other died in my freshwater tank.
i have a rio 800 as my return right now, replacing it when i upgrade tank. it currently is missing a blade from the impeller

 

[Chad Vossen]

i think they sell so much because they are so available. they are always at the petstores. my boss told me he sells the rios because they have the most spare parts available.

 

[Trigeek]

I'll add to the list of dead Rios. Mine died a few months ago when I used it for circulation in a bin of LR I was storing. I heard it start thumping around in the bin and quickly pulled the plug. I tossed it right there.

 

[jjmatti]

I had no clue this thread exsisted but now that I do I will offer my experience.

Last thursday night at about 2 am I woke up to the smell of something disgusting. Since it was 2am and I was deep asleep I made my way out of be and realized that the power in my room was off... I flipped the breaker and saw what was causing the smell, thick black smoke coming out of the water in my tank.. my little rio 400 pump must have fried or something. I freaked out.. but I will be sure not to buy them anymore..
Not to mention I have seen 3 other stop working in the past..

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Man, after reading some of these posts, it's a wonder they are still in bussiness.

 

[HDAlien]

I had a 3100 run for a year with no problems, but I have since moved to a new tank with no Rio's in it. It just seems to me they are not worth the risk to my tank.

HDAlien