Zoo Med Powersweep Powerhead/pump

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Efficient, more of a hassle by WILL TOMLINSON

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 6/20/2009 from PAINTED POST, NY UNITED STATES

Comments: It's a great idea but the designing is a little shaky. It works great for small tanks when the rotating wheel is clean. For larger tanks a wavemaker is the way to go. It creates a "wave" below water for a short range, but not a very large wave so many are needed. I needed to clean mine weekly because any algae build up at all will stop the rotation. If you clean your tanks once a week then you will be ok with these pumps because you can wipe the algae off in the process. Too high maintenance to most of us. One last improvement for these pumps should be an increased range of motion so a wave across the entire tank is possible instead of just part of the tank. Not good for wide tanks or deep tanks, for my 20 gallon long it was ok. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Great at First by SCOTT C

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 9/24/2008 from BUFFALO, NY

Comments: I have one on my 55 gallon reef tank and for the first two weeks it was working very well, but after that even with regular weekly cleaning the performance has gone down considerably. Have since upgraded to two Hydor Koralia 2. Much better flow and easier to maintain. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Stops Oscillating after 1 day by Jared

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 6/24/2008 from NY

Comments: These stopped oscillating after one day. Also, they are difficult to clean. Another annoying aspect is that they continue to blow out microbubbles even months after they've been submerged. This may be caused by cavitation... The company denies it but others have had the same problem. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

why is this even on the shelf? by MARCELO C

Experience Level: Beginner

Posted on 3/2/2008 from Torrance, CA

Comments: I would have to agree with the other reviews... This isn't worth the cardboard it comes in. I tried 2 different pumps and both did the same...SUCKED... as stated before, they would lock0up within an hour or two of being placed in the tank... Marine Depot-get rid of this item! Luckily my LFS gave me credit and I bought a real ph!! I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Very Frustrating product! by KIRK DAVIS

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 1/21/2008 from WARSAW, IN UNITED STATES

Comments: This product is not worth the powder to blow it to Hades. I have two of these and both stop rotating (oscellating- sp) within 24 hours of putting them back in the tank. They are not clogged when they stop, the gears just get messed up and they lock to the left side (looking from the top). They stop in the same spot every time, so I assume it is a design flaw. This really is the most frustration causing fresh or salt product I have used in my 20+ years of fish keeping. In addition, they are very weak. If this unit throws 190 GPH, I will eat my hat. It seems more like 110-120. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Don't waste your money! by LAURA

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 1/11/2008 from NC, UNITED STATES

Comments: This powerhead worked correctly for about 5 days when the nozzle rotation stopped. I checked the unit out for debris, but there was nothing. I decided to use it anyway until I could replace it. After a total of 3 weeks, the unit completely stopped functioning. After cleaning (once again, it wasn't even dirty yet) and soaking in vinegar water, I pronounced it dead. If you want to simulate waves and random currents, get a wavemaker--don't try to mess around with these terrible powerheads. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

zoo med 228 by CRAIG

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 12/22/2007 from CLOVIS, CA UNITED STATES

Comments: Powerhead works but the sweep function has never worked since i took it out of the box! I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Zoo Med Powersweep by WILLIE VAUGHN

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 12/7/2007 from TACOMA, WA UNITED STATES

Comments: In salt water use....rotacting actions stops after awhile. soaked in vinegar and it still wouldn't rotate. I won't buy another one. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Average

The only one like it. by Gozer_1

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 12/2/2007 from UNITED STATES

Comments: I have personally had great success with mine. It's been running for nearly a year without a hitch. The sweep action does get stuck after a water change but after unplugging it and plugging it back in it starts sweeping again. I think it's because of an air pocket that gets jostled out with the restart. I can't say that this PH is built to very high standards though. It has a very cheap feel to it. The mounting bracket is very weak and feels like it is going to break when you try to take the pump out. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Great

Powersweep by FRANK DWYER

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 11/30/2007 from RENTON, WA UNITED STATES

Comments: This is my 5th Powersweep and I am quite fond of them. I use them for everything including current reduction. I gave this unit 4 stars becuse like other powerheads, the garbage attachments for easy installation are about worthless. Other than that I have never had a problem with one these units. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Weak,unreliable sweeper. by KIRK DAVIS

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 11/5/2007 from WARSAW, IN UNITED STATES

Comments: If you do want to go this route, go two steps above the rated GPH. The heads are larger than most units. This unit here at 160 GPH is considerably larger (20%) than a Maxi-jet 1200 for instance. The idea was cool enough for me to purchase one, but I pulled it from my tank and now only use it to mix salt-water. I have an air pump tied into the air line input and suction-cup it to my mixing tub to aerate the water. In production it just doesn't live up to expectation. It works fine for a while then locks to one side. Then you have to pull it, take it apart, re-center the gearing, and put it back in the water. A real pain. The local fish store has these in all their salt tanks (the biggest units (they are HUGE) and all of them are in one spot- not moving. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Average

pete by PETER

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 9/20/2007 from San francisco

Comments: I like the way it sweeps and it's not expensive. I've had some that stick after a few months and the never worked again. However I'm going to try again because I did not try cleaning the Powersweep with vinegar and other methods. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

didn't last by JOYE S

Experience Level: Beginner

Posted on 7/17/2007 from AUSTIN, TX UNITED STATES

Comments: found 2 of these on clearance at a local pet store. The first one didn't last 2 days and the second one needs constant maintenance and acts like every day could be its last. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Don't waste your $$ by MARCELO

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 7/15/2007 from REDONDO BEACH, CA

Comments: Sweeping motion stopped working after about a month. Replaced the motor 3 times then gave up. Would never recommend this to anyone. Might work for a nano tank but I give it 2 thumbs down for my 40gal. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Average

Needs work by reef

Posted on 6/26/2007

Comments: Works well as a pump, but after a week or so the sweeper doesent work any more. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

works great by Tyler

Posted on 6/24/2007

Comments: this powerhead works great in my reef tank, it does take maintinence, but doesn't everything in a reef, it's worth it I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

Well Worth It by as

Posted on 5/29/2007

Comments: I use two of thiese and it is by far the most worth it powerhead out there. It's cheap and with a little maintenance, it will keep on going. Just make sure you open it up to scrub it. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Average

Good Idea, but needs work by Rw - Tacoma,wa

Comments: I have 2 of these in a 47 tall reef tank. When they're clean they work great. Good flow, and a nice water movement. However, plan on pulling these out once a month to clean or the sweep stops. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Disappointed by Me

Comments: Like the other comments, great idea but the constant cleaning is a major draw back. Sand is constantly getting in this thing preventing the rotating flow. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Not worth the extra effort by Serry 130g FOWLR

Comments: I have used this on both salt and fresh water with the same results. It needs almost weekly cleaning to keep the motion feature going and then still sometimes stumbles. Save your money. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Better products out there by Ken

Comments: This type of powerhead lasted for less than a month and had many problems I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Average

Usefull gadget by Steve

Comments: Works well but gets dirt easy, motion feature lasts more if you turn it on and off with wavemaker. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Stop, read befor you buy by Rob Top

Comments: If you are looking to add some motion to the current and want to clean your power head weekly, this is for you. Great idea, but clogs way to easily. Save your money I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

Save your money. by Sherry 130g FOWLR

Comments: Same as the next size up...Stumbles, has to be cleaned weakly or more. Nice thought but doesnt live up to expectations in SW or FW. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Don't buy this powerhead by Tim

Comments: Poor design, the sweeping function stopped working after a couple weeks. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Great

Years by Newb

Comments: I have had one, the same one for years, working non stop about 3 inches below surface of water and 10 inches off bed, if algae is controled no clogs. Simple and easy to use sweeping circulation. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Poor by Steve

Comments: I have gone through 2 of these of different sizes. Both performed very poorly. Not reliable. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

Bad Idea by Terry

Comments: Works good when new but after 2 weeks the sweeping stopped. You must clean this thing often making it a pain in my A@@ Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

Do Not Buy!! by GARY

Comments: Do not buy this under any circumstances. The sweeping function is poorly designed and will stop working within a week. Neither the seller or the manufacturer will stand behind this product. I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Great

Useful tip for sweeping fix by SaltyDoc

Comments: Had one for some time, impeller just recently broke. They replaced it immediately. Use output nozel to direct the flow against itself. keeps it moving. No problem with sand, keep it high = no clog. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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