SEIO Super Prop Powerheads

LKGRenegade22 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Aquarium Water Circulation and Water Pumps: Taam SEIO Prop Super Flow Pump

Now before I say too much let me say the only one of these I have bought is the 1500 model. I am going to assume all the smaller ones are built identical to the larger ones since they all look the exact same.

These are great powerheads that can prevent an anemone from being injured if they happen to get near it but they also come with a MAJOR problem. The impellers from the factory are pure crap. The blades are extremely thin and flimsy. I have 3 of these and within 3 months all 3 of the impellers have broken and the blades flown into the tank. The website says SEIO recommends weekly cleaning of the impeller and I have only done it about once a month but the impeller would be fine if the blades were not so thin. I just noticed today that they carry the impeller replacement kits for $27.99 but I have a feeling they are the same impellers they come with stock. I can only hope they are a newer harder plastic impeller like the maxi jet mods have. So at around $50 a piece I'm not impressed for a powerhead that snaps impellers every other week.

I am going to order the impeller kits and I will update this thread on if they are new impellers or not. Right now it is much more cost effective for me to order the kits than all new powerheads.

JoeCreature · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:32 PM

Could you retrofit a hobby boat prop to the impeller? We use them with our ROV projects. Might save you chunking an otherwise good piece of equipment.

LKGRenegade22 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:52 PM

I'm going to order the impeller kits first and see what they are. The way the housing is made it would probably be quite tricky to get any other prop to work properly and create the suction through the holes like the stock prop does.

redfishsc · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 09:05 PM

Give these props a try. If the impeller has a metal shaft like a maxi-jet, they may snap right on (or need drilling).

You might find them locally at a hobby store. I did.

Hard to beat the price.

Dumas Products Inc.

JoeCreature · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 09:57 PM

Would you mind taking a picture of the impeller and prop? Visual aids increase efficiency.

CritterHeaven · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 10:03 PM

I am still thinking about buying the 1100 or 820s only because I cannot seem to find any others that I think wont amputate a seahorse tail. So i am going to tag along on this thread and see what the DIY answer is!

JoeCreature · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 10:08 PM

Poor seahorses. They are so cool, just not the brightest of the fishes. Mine always had an affinity for intakes.

CritterHeaven · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 10:10 PM

yes, they like to be up high sometimes (especially the young ones) plus often mysis gets stuck on the intakes. Oops

LKGRenegade22 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 01:38 AM

Let me see if I can find a diagram online. I still have them in my tank even though 1 of them is not running. The ones that broke and I found both blades for the prop I epoxied them back on but the 3rd one I only found 1 blade so it's not working. The impeller sitperfectly recessed in a housing.

LKGRenegade22 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 02:27 AM

Ok here is a diagram. Even if you take the bushing off the prop does not come off of the magnet. The prop and magnet are one solid piece that slides onto the ceramic shaft. Also behind #6 on the diagram the housing there is like a funnel that the impeller assembly drops down into keeping anything from actually ever being able to hit the impeller. I would take the non functioning one apart but my midas blenny is sleeping in it right now.