| No to pick on (mentioned them in an | | | | when used as wave makers and are |
| earlier post in Fish as Pets), however | | | | properly maintained. These pumps are |
| after an email form a hobbyist about | | | | also not adjustable in their flow |
| aquarium power heads/pumps I thought I | | | | *Maxi Jet Power heads; I will have to |
| would investigate what is being said in | | | | agree the most with on their assessment |
| reviews and stumbled across an article | | | | of these pumps. They are reliable and |
| with the reviews of five different power | | | | economical and start back up easily even |
| heads. | | | | when used as wave makers. However they |
| Either they are from another planet or I | | | | do have their cons and that is they have |
| must live in a parallel universe! | | | | poor head pressure and are not very |
| First they left off the list two of the | | | | versatile (unlike the Via Aqua, ReSun, |
| best aquarium and pond power head/ water | | | | and Rio pimps) as they are only power |
| pumps then their reviews were quite | | | | heads and nothing more. |
| contrary to my extensive experience with | | | | *Penguin Power Heads; I do not generally |
| these pumps in literally 100s if not | | | | agree with assessment by on these power |
| thousands of aquariums over the years in | | | | heads. Although they do have a neat |
| my aquarium maintenance business. | | | | feature with the reverse flow power head |
| Here are six pumps I will review | | | | for UG filters (which are not very |
| (including refutations of their | | | | common anymore though), the other nice |
| comments): | | | | feature is the adjustable flow feature. |
| *ReSun; this pump (power head) was | | | | However nice these features are these |
| totally left off their list, although | | | | power heads have a poor track record for |
| not as well known in the USA/Canada they | | | | reliability, they have very poor head |
| are very popular in Asia and Australia. | | | | pressure, and do not re-start well after |
| ReSun has some sizes such as the #6 that | | | | the pumps have been in service for a |
| are quite capable for very "mucky" pond | | | | while (in applications such as wave |
| environments and yet operate very well. | | | | makers). |
| The stainless steel coated impellers | | | | *Hagen Aqua Clear Power Heads; this pump |
| along with the ceramic shafts found on | | | | is also over rated by in my extensive |
| the larger models) are extremely durable | | | | experience with them. I have used more |
| and almost never fail. | | | | Aqua Clear power heads than ANY other |
| These pumps are very reliable and start | | | | (including the Via Aqua pumps I now |
| up without a problem; they also have | | | | generally recommend). When these power |
| very excellent head pressure (in fact | | | | heads first came out they were industry |
| among the best)! ReSun pumps can be | | | | leaders in design, however they are of |
| submersed or place in line. | | | | 1980s technology IMO and although they |
| The models 3A, 5, and 6 are awesome in | | | | are better than Penguins in reliability |
| heavy duty applications such as ponds or | | | | and head pressure, they still would stop |
| very large aquariums where high flow and | | | | and not re-start in many of my |
| head pressure are necessary (as well as | | | | applications when power was even briefly |
| ability to deal with large amounts of | | | | interrupted, making them a poor choice |
| particulates in the water). | | | | for wave maker applications. Aqua Clear |
| About the only con is that with their | | | | power heads also do not handle high |
| heavy duty construction, these pumps can | | | | organic/debris loads well and need more |
| be somewhat noisier than some others | | | | maintenance than the Rios that claimed |
| (although still not bad here either). | | | | needed! |
| ReSun power heads are also not as | | | | Bottom line with Aqua Clear power heads |
| adjustable in flow as some other power | | | | is that they are reasonable "retro" |
| heads, but this a minor inconvenience | | | | pumps, but certainly NOT the latest in |
| IMO. | | | | technology! |
| *Via Aqua; ; this is a real workhorse | | | | *ZooMed Power Sweep; even though I sold |
| line of pumps that is VERY widely used | | | | these in my business, I rarely |
| in the professional aquarium maintenance | | | | recommended them. They are basically a |
| community yet did not even get mentioned | | | | gimmicky power head with poor head |
| by (go figure!). These pumps in the | | | | pressure and low output. They are not |
| power head line (not the basic line) | | | | real durable and the "sweeping" |
| also have ceramic shafts and very | | | | directional output feature is run by |
| durable construction. Via Aqua pumps | | | | cheap plastic gears that often fail. |
| (along with ReSun) can be used in sumps | | | | These pumps do not handle high bio loads |
| or as a power head and have excellent | | | | well and are best used in small |
| head pressure. The Via Aqua power head | | | | aquariums or better vivariums where not |
| line (such as the VA 1300) can be | | | | much is asked of them. |
| submersed or used in line which adds to | | | | SUMMARY: |
| versatility that not all pumps can | | | | I have had persons also ask me why many |
| match. For Aquarium sumps (usually in | | | | brands such as Via Aqua are not as |
| marine applications) the Via Aqua 2600 | | | | commonly available as Hagen and does |
| and 3300 are unsurpassed in usefulness. | | | | that make them of lower quality as no |
| Again the only con is these pumps are a | | | | one really wants them? |
| little noisy, but only when used in line | | | | The answer is quite simple; Hagen is |
| (they are a little quieter than the | | | | sold through a larger network of |
| ReSun line when submersed). Via Aqua | | | | mainline Pet Store distributors |
| power heads (as with ReSun and Rio) are | | | | (although they are now transitioning to |
| also not as adjustable in flows as some | | | | their own in house distribution system). |
| other power heads, but this a minor | | | | This system promotes an all or nothing |
| inconvenience IMO. This inconvenience is | | | | approach to marketing their products |
| more than made up for in versatility! I | | | | basically meaning you carry the whole |
| will also admit to a couple of models by | | | | line (good and bad) or not get discounts |
| Via Aqua that I not recommend due to | | | | or even sell anything at all. This |
| less than desirable durability and these | | | | marketing system has been very |
| are the 2300 and 4900. | | | | successful (not to mention slick |
| *Rio (by Taam); although no longer a | | | | packaging), however this does not mean a |
| preferred pump by me as the person who | | | | better product. |
| founded Rio started Via Aqua and | | | | Via Aqua (among many other high end |
| improved on some of its problems. These | | | | brands) does not sell through |
| are still excellent pumps IMO and | | | | traditional marketing distribution |
| although I partly agree with with their | | | | methods and systems, rather it sells |
| assessment, I think they go overboard | | | | many high end Marine fish importers and |
| with their comments as to high | | | | similar without all the expensive |
| maintenance. Rio power heads are very | | | | marketing gimmicks. This in particular |
| powerful with excellent head pressure | | | | places their products in the hands of |
| (depending on the model). | | | | Aquarium Maintenance Professionals who |
| The cons are the impeller (although very | | | | do not care about slick marketing or |
| durable), seem to have problems in | | | | whether it is the fad, rather whether it |
| environments (especially ponds or dirty | | | | works or not which is why Via Aqua and |
| aquariums) that have a lot of debris and | | | | many other similar high end companies |
| organics in the water column. However | | | | choose to sell this way. |
| they still are very good at starting up | | | | |