Review of Aquarium (and Pond) Power Head Pumps

No selections in about.com (mentioned in a previous post on fish as pets) however after an email form to a fan on aquarium power heads / pumps I thought I would investigate what is said in reviews and stumbled across a review article of the five different power heads.
Either they are from another planet or that I live in a parallel universe!

First left off the list two of the best aquariums and ponds powerhead / water pump then your comments were very much against my experience with these pumps in 100s literally if not thousands of tanks in recent years in my aquarium maintenance business.

Here are six pumps review (including rebuttals of comments):

* New generation of tank King and pond water pumps "> Resun, this pump (power head) was totally off your list, although not as well known in the U.S. and Canada are very popular in Asia and Australia. Resun has sizes, like # 6 that are capable of very "dirty" pond environments and yet work very well. Impellers stainless steel coated with ceramic shafts found on larger models) are extremely durable and rarely fail.
These pumps are very reliable and start up without any problems, but also have very excellent head pressure (in fact one of the better)! Resun pumps can be submerged or place in line.
Models 3A, 5 and 6 are impressive in heavy duty applications, such as ponds or large aquariums where the flow of high pressure and head are necessary (as well as the ability to cope with large numbers of particles in the water).
About the only drawback is that with its heavy-duty construction, these pumps can be a little louder than others (although still not bad here either.) Resun power heads also not as adjustable as some other power flow heads, but it's a minor inconvenience IMO.

* Pumps "target =" _blank "> Via Aqua;; line is a real workhorse of the pumps is used extensively in the community aquarium but even professional maintenance about.com is mentioned (go figure!). These pumps in the power line (no baseline) also have ceramic shafts and building very strong. Via Aqua pumps (with Resun) can be used in sinks or as a head of power and has excellent head pressure. Via Aqua power line head (eg, VA 1300) can be submerged or used in the line that says that not all pumps can match versatility. In those wells Aquarium (usually marine applications) of the Via Aqua 2600 and 3300 are unsurpassed in the utility.
Again, the only drawback is that these pumps are a bit noisy, but only when is used in line (which are a bit calmer than when submerged Resun line). Via Aqua power heads (as Resun and Rio) are not so adjustable in flows as some other power heads but this a minor inconvenience IMO. This disadvantage is more than offset by the versatility! I will also admit a couple of models Via Aqua would not recommend less than desired length and these are the 2300 and 4900.

* River (by Taam), although no longer a choice for me as pump the person who founded Rio begins by Aqua and improves some of their problems. These pumps are still excellent IMO, and although in part, according to about.com with evaluation, I think go overboard with their comments regarding maintenance. Rio power heads are very strong with excellent head pressure (depending model).
The disadvantages are the driver (although very durable), seem to have problems in environments (especially dirty ponds and tanks) that have a lot of debris and organic matter in the water column. But still very good start when used as responsible for the waves and maintained properly. These pumps are not also adjustable in its flow

* Maxi Jet power head, I have to agree with most of the about.com in their evaluation of these pumps. Are reliable and economic and begin again with ease even when used as wave makers. However, they have their disadvantages and that is that they have poor head pressure and not very versatile (unlike Via Aqua pimps, Resun, and Rio), since only the power heads and nothing else.

* Penguin Power Heads, disagree with the assessment of about.com on these heads of power. Although it has an interesting feature otherwise head for power flow UG filters (which are not very common, even more), the other characteristic feature is the adjustable flow.
However beautiful these features these are the heads of energy have a poor record of reliability, which has very poor head pressure, and not start again right after the bombs have been in service for a while (in applications such as wave makers).

* Hagen Aqua Clear Power Heads, this pump is also most recommended in my experience about.com with them. I used more Aqua clear power heads than any other (including Via Aqua pumps generally recommend now). When these leaders left power for the first time were industry leaders in the design, however, are the technology of the IMO in 1980 and although they are better than penguins in the reliability and pressure head, still stop and not start again in many of my applications when power is interrupted even briefly, making a bad choice wave applications. Aqua power heads also clear they do not handle high organic / charges remains well and need more maintenance than Rivers said about.com necessary!
The bottom head to Aqua clear is that they are reasonable "retro" bombs, but certainly not the latest technology!

* ZooMed Power sweep, although sold my business, which are rarely recommended. They are basically a publicity stunt power with the head pressure and poor low output. They are not real durable and sweep output function address is in charge of cheap plastic gears that often fail. These pumps not handle high bio loads well and are best used in small aquariums or better nurseries where there is little that is asked.

SUMMARY:
I have had people also ask why many brands such as Via Aqua are not as readily available as Hagen and does that make them of lower quality than anyone really wants?
The answer is quite simple; Hagen is sold through a larger network of leading online pet store retailers (although now in transition to its own distribution system to households). This system promotes an all or nothing approach to marketing their products, basically, that the sense of carrying the entire line (Good and bad) or not get discounts or even sell anything at all. This marketing system has been very successful (not to mention slick packaging), but this does not mean a better product.
Through Aqua (among many other high end brands) does not sell through traditional distribution methods and marketing systems, we sell many high-end importers of marine fish and similar that not all expensive marketing gimmicks. This in particular places of their products in the hands of professional aquarium maintenance do not care about slick marketing or if it comes to fashion, rather whether it works or not, which is why Via Aqua and many other similar companies choose to sell high-end this way.

For More information and photos in an article that is still being added to, please visit this address:
target = "_blank" title = "Aquarium and Pond Answers, head of energy, review water pump "> REVIEW OF AQUARIUS (and tank) pump motor housing, based on REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE

About the Author

I am 49 years old and have been in the Aquarium (& Pet ) business since I was 17. I have a spouse (Jodie), and 3 children (Michelle, Danielle, & Timothy). I recently sold my LFS in LA and moved to Oregon to be near my sister who is gifted in helping with our children, who all have special needs (Autism and more)

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