How pumps work


Review of Aquarium (& Pond) Power Head Pumps

No to pick on (mentioned them in anwhen used as wave makers and are
earlier post in Fish as Pets), howeverproperly maintained. These pumps are
after an email form a hobbyist aboutalso 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 inagree the most with on their assessment
reviews and stumbled across an articleof these pumps. They are reliable and
with the reviews of five different powereconomical and start back up easily even
heads.when used as wave makers. However they
Either they are from another planet or Ido 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 theversatile (unlike the Via Aqua, ReSun,
best aquarium and pond power head/ waterand Rio pimps) as they are only power
pumps then their reviews were quiteheads and nothing more.
contrary to my extensive experience with*Penguin Power Heads; I do not generally
these pumps in literally 100s if notagree with assessment by on these power
thousands of aquariums over the years inheads. Although they do have a neat
my aquarium maintenance business.feature with the reverse flow power head
Here are six pumps I will reviewfor UG filters (which are not very
(including refutations of theircommon anymore though), the other nice
comments):feature is the adjustable flow feature.
*ReSun; this pump (power head) wasHowever nice these features are these
totally left off their list, althoughpower heads have a poor track record for
not as well known in the USA/Canada theyreliability, 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 thatthe pumps have been in service for a
are quite capable for very "mucky" pondwhile (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 onis also over rated by in my extensive
the larger models) are extremely durableexperience 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 havegenerally recommend). When these power
very excellent head pressure (in factheads first came out they were industry
among the best)! ReSun pumps can beleaders 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 inare better than Penguins in reliability
heavy duty applications such as ponds orand head pressure, they still would stop
very large aquariums where high flow andand not re-start in many of my
head pressure are necessary (as well asapplications when power was even briefly
ability to deal with large amounts ofinterrupted, making them a poor choice
particulates in the water).for wave maker applications. Aqua Clear
About the only con is that with theirpower heads also do not handle high
heavy duty construction, these pumps canorganic/debris loads well and need more
be somewhat noisier than some othersmaintenance than the Rios that claimed
(although still not bad here either).needed!
ReSun power heads are also not asBottom line with Aqua Clear power heads
adjustable in flow as some other poweris that they are reasonable "retro"
heads, but this a minor inconveniencepumps, 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 usedthese in my business, I rarely
in the professional aquarium maintenancerecommended them. They are basically a
community yet did not even get mentionedgimmicky power head with poor head
by (go figure!). These pumps in thepressure and low output. They are not
power head line (not the basic line)real durable and the "sweeping"
also have ceramic shafts and verydirectional output feature is run by
durable construction. Via Aqua pumpscheap plastic gears that often fail.
(along with ReSun) can be used in sumpsThese pumps do not handle high bio loads
or as a power head and have excellentwell and are best used in small
head pressure. The Via Aqua power headaquariums or better vivariums where not
line (such as the VA 1300) can bemuch is asked of them.
submersed or used in line which adds toSUMMARY:
versatility that not all pumps canI have had persons also ask me why many
match. For Aquarium sumps (usually inbrands such as Via Aqua are not as
marine applications) the Via Aqua 2600commonly 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 aone really wants them?
little noisy, but only when used in lineThe answer is quite simple; Hagen is
(they are a little quieter than thesold through a larger network of
ReSun line when submersed). Via Aquamainline Pet Store distributors
power heads (as with ReSun and Rio) are(although they are now transitioning to
also not as adjustable in flows as sometheir own in house distribution system).
other power heads, but this a minorThis system promotes an all or nothing
inconvenience IMO. This inconvenience isapproach to marketing their products
more than made up for in versatility! Ibasically meaning you carry the whole
will also admit to a couple of models byline (good and bad) or not get discounts
Via Aqua that I not recommend due toor even sell anything at all. This
less than desirable durability and thesemarketing system has been very
are the 2300 and 4900.successful (not to mention slick
*Rio (by Taam); although no longer apackaging), however this does not mean a
preferred pump by me as the person whobetter product.
founded Rio started Via Aqua andVia Aqua (among many other high end
improved on some of its problems. Thesebrands) does not sell through
are still excellent pumps IMO andtraditional marketing distribution
although I partly agree with with theirmethods and systems, rather it sells
assessment, I think they go overboardmany high end Marine fish importers and
with their comments as to highsimilar without all the expensive
maintenance. Rio power heads are verymarketing gimmicks. This in particular
powerful with excellent head pressureplaces their products in the hands of
(depending on the model).Aquarium Maintenance Professionals who
The cons are the impeller (although verydo not care about slick marketing or
durable), seem to have problems inwhether it is the fad, rather whether it
environments (especially ponds or dirtyworks or not which is why Via Aqua and
aquariums) that have a lot of debris andmany other similar high end companies
organics in the water column. Howeverchoose to sell this way.
they still are very good at starting up



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