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Review of Aquarium (& Pond) Power Head Pumps

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




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