With the recent popularity of Laguna pumps for both skimmer and flow applications, it was only a matter of time until another manufacturer took notes and created their own. But how similar is too similar? Here is Honya’s take on the Laguna line. If you are asking yourself who is Honya? odds are you have seen their [...]
With the recent popularity of Laguna pumps for both skimmer and flow applications, it was only a matter of time until another manufacturer took notes and created their own. But how similar is too similar? Here is Honya’s take on the Laguna line. If you are asking yourself who is Honya? odds are you have seen their work without noticing it. They are one of the most popular Chinese aquarium manufacturers and produce the wide array of Octopus products.
The Water Blaster is for flow applications and comes in two models, the 5000 and 7000 (# indicates lph of water movement). The Water Blaster 5000 moves 1300gph with a max head of 3.5m and drawing 60w. The 7000 moves 1,800 gph with a max head of 3.5m and 80w of electric usage.
The skimmer model is conveniently named the Bubble Blaster. It uses the same motor block as the Water Blaster 5000, but includes an enlarged volute, needlewheel and venturi. Honya states with these modifications it pulls 2100-2400lph of air.
The resemblance to Askoll/Laguna is unmistakable and it will be interesting to see if these come to the U.S. and if so how the market reacts. What do you think, winning design or stolen idea? Currently Octopus skimmers in the U.S. are using Laguna motor blocks, no word if they will be switched to these in the future.
