SEIO pumps vs. MJ

[jschulzpt]

I saw that there was a "new" SEIO super flow pump 530GPH (www.drfostersmith.com). I was originally toying with the idea of buying a 106GPH MJ pump with the modification kit to increase the output X10 for my 55G which I thought would be pretty strong, but this 530GPH seems like a nice alternative and a lot cheaper to put together with only using 2.5W more.

My question: I haven't been able to find a SEIO 530 review anywhere... anyone have good things to say about their products or this pump in particular?

[fox2589]

i have 2 seio 530s on my 20 gallon..been using them for months..there great in my opinion..i haven't tinkered with them much at all except for cleaning algae off them..good flow and in my point of view very dependable for the price..most people hate rios though..they have been great for me..i suggest them-drew(they are kind of big though..what size tank are you putting them on?there on the verge of tooo big in my 20 tall)

[jschulzpt]

Thanks for the info. I have a 55G are they too big in height or total distance from the glass when extended?

Can you clear something up for me... I have heard of Rios before, is it a brand or type of pump? Why do people hate them?

This is kind of random but, do you know how thick glass is on a standard 55G?

[fox2589]

rio is the brand..they are known for not being the best..i think people try to run them on wavemakers and such and it doesnt work out..i can say if you leave them alone and only shut them off for water changes you will get years of good flow with them..i dont know about the glass thickness..and the size will be no problem in a 55..there just kind of space consuming in my 20 gallon..i dont know what your preference is on flow but i know only 2 530's wouldnt be enough for me in a 55..i have 2 of them and a koralia nano in my 20(but i love very strong flow)i would go with 3 or 4 of them..good luck-drew

[jschulzpt]

It is listed for the Rios that they are not to be used with wavemakers due to them not tolerating the on/off power.

I already have enough water flow, but I want more. I have 3 internal pumps and 2 skimmers running, but one pump that is supposed to put out 106 GPH is most likely barely putting out 50GPH. I do have a koralia, love it, but it is a little more expensive and uses a little more electricity than the SEIO and 2X the electricity as the MJ with the modification. Which now that you mention it I wouldn't mind going to one as well... I have been going back and forth on this for 6 weeks now, and all three of those pumps are on sale.

Thanks for the help.

[scoop]

The Rio and the Seio are made by the same company. I have used both and really don't like them. My experience over 10 yrs has been that they work OK if you leave them alone, but if you have to turn them off for any reason, i.e. feeding, water change, ect., you need to take them apart and clean them to get them to re-start. I have 3 Koralia's and an mj in my tank now and they are much better. I only clean them if I want to, and they always re-start. If you have a good experience with one that's great, but given the number of people that have not had good exeprience w/ them, why risk it? As soon as it doesn't start once you will think the small up front savings wasn't worth it.