Shoddy Goods

[ScottF]

Is the quality of reefing equipment poor in general? I've had my tanks up for a couple of months and already I've had to RMA the following:

Neptune Apex (Wifi never worked in original unit)
Neptune Trident (One of the tubes wasn't attached to a solenoid and it leaked reagents over the circuitry)

I am currently waiting for a replacement power supply for one of my MP40s and a replacement motor for my Red Sea Reefmat 1200.

The support people at Neptune/BRS/Ecotech seem to be top notch and super friendly. I just wish I didn't have to contact them so often.

 

[TX_REEF]

Unfortunately it DOES seem that most reefing products, aside from quality tanks and stands, are not generally made with longevity as a priority. Maintenance, care and utilization of the warranty are key for a lot of the higher-tech equipment, sadly!

 

[exnisstech]

The neptune failures doesn't surprise me, been seeing a lot of reports on those. I have 6 Mp40s and 2 MP10s and other than a bearing failure in a dry side that hit the floor I've had no issues. Can't comment on the reefmat as I have the 500 which has been fine but it's only been running a year or so. TBO in think the overall quality of almost everything consumers use has gone down over the years.

 

[TX_REEF]

Is the quality of reefing equipment poor in general? I've had my tanks up for a couple of months and already I've had to RMA the following:

Neptune Apex (Wifi never worked in original unit)
Neptune Trident (One of the tubes wasn't attached to a solenoid and it leaked reagents over the circuitry)

I am currently waiting for a replacement power supply for one of my MP40s and a replacement motor for my Red Sea Reefmat 1200.

The support people at Neptune/BRS/Ecotech seem to be top notch and super friendly. I just wish I didn't have to contact them so often.

oh, one tip on the reefmat that I've been plugging - the default advance length for the fleece is generally very small, meaning the drive motor will have to cycle on and off very frequently. If you increase the advance length in the app, for example to the length of the bottom of the reef mat chamber, the motor will have to operate less frequently and theoretically last longer before burning out. Here's a short video guide I made for the motor replacement if it's helpful, I recommend playing at 1.5x or 2x speed and using the timestamps.

 

[ChiCity]

Is the quality of reefing equipment poor in general?

…. planned obsolescence.
(you can thank capitalism)

 

[NeutronMan]

…. planned obsolescence.
(you can thank capitalism)

It’s not capitalism, it’s the consumer buying the inferior product. Stop giving your money to a company that is pushing garbage and they’ll up their game.

 

[exnisstech]

It’s not capitalism, it’s the consumer buying the inferior product. Stop giving your money to a company that is pushing garbage and they’ll up their game.

Pretty tough not to buy inferior products when almost everything is garbage, not just reefing gear. We used to repair appliances, sweepers etc. Now when just throw them away and buy new. It just the way things have become.

 

[exnisstech]

oh, one tip on the reefmat that I've been plugging - the default advance length for the fleece is generally very small, meaning the drive motor will have to cycle on and off very frequently. If you increase the advance length in the app, for example to the length of the bottom of the reef mat chamber, the motor will have to operate less frequently and theoretically last longer before burning out. Here's a short video guide I made for the motor replacement if it's helpful, I recommend playing at 1.5x or 2x speed and using the timestamps.

I started following your advise a while back. In addition to the motor operating less the roll of floss is lasting longer.

 

[TX_REEF]

Pretty tough not to but inferior products when almost everything is garbage, not just reefing gear. We used to repair appliances, sweepers etc. Now when just throw them away and buy new. It just the way things have become.

you're living up to your signature with this reply :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: but I fully agree...

 

[ScottF]

It’s not capitalism, it’s the consumer buying the inferior product. Stop giving your money to a company that is pushing garbage and they’ll up their game.

Are there other controllers that have the capabilities of an Apex? Ecotechs are the only powerhead that I don't have to have cables in my tank.

When it comes to functionality it seems like with a lot of these things there aren't a lot of choices out there. I love what they do. I just wish they were built a little better and/or had a better QC process.

 

[ScottF]

oh, one tip on the reefmat that I've been plugging - the default advance length for the fleece is generally very small, meaning the drive motor will have to cycle on and off very frequently. If you increase the advance length in the app, for example to the length of the bottom of the reef mat chamber, the motor will have to operate less frequently and theoretically last longer before burning out. Here's a short video guide I made for the motor replacement if it's helpful, I recommend playing at 1.5x or 2x speed and using the timestamps.

Thanks! I will definitely do this when I get my replacement motor. I

 

[ChiCity]

Are there other controllers that have the capabilities of an Apex? Ecotechs are the only powerhead that I don't have to have cables in my tank.

When it comes to functionality it seems like with a lot of these things there aren't a lot of choices out there. I love what they do. I just wish they were built a little better and/or had a better QC process.

this is what companies can do,
when they have a complete oligopoly.

 

[NeutronMan]

Are there other controllers that have the capabilities of an Apex? Ecotechs are the only powerhead that I don't have to have cables in my tank.

When it comes to functionality it seems like with a lot of these things there aren't a lot of choices out there. I love what they do. I just wish they were built a little better and/or had a better QC process.

I don’t use Apex or any sort of controller, so can’t comment.

I have a lot of the mp10 and mp40 pumps and haven’t had any of the issues that others have had (knock on wood). Bought them all used, too.

Same for AI hydra lights. Never had a problem or need for warranty.

I would consider these to be the “good” brands.

Hope I didn’t just jinx myself.

 

[skyrne_isk]

…. planned obsolescence.
(you can thank capitalism)

Yes, because prior to it no doubt middle class working people were flying in marine animals from halfway across the planet to enjoy in the comfort of their homes…

 

[ChiCity]

of course they were!
have you never been on a magic carpet ride?

 

[Imrahilwjz]

It’s not capitalism, it’s the consumer buying the inferior product. Stop giving your money to a company that is pushing garbage and they’ll up their game.

I dunno. I would say the consumer is participating in Capitalism as well by spending less money on inferior products. Although hype is also a factor on the manufacturers' side.

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Pretty tough not to buy inferior products when almost everything is garbage, not just reefing gear. We used to repair appliances, sweepers etc. Now when just throw them away and buy new. It just the way things have become.

Valid. Although if everyone bought knockoffs from Ali Ababa the US companies could either up their game to regain customers or be replaced by someone who would. Most of the equipment is made overseas anyway. Although Deltec is made in Germany which has a better reputation than Asia (with maybe the exception of Japan) but their price point is definitely up there.

 

[ScottF]

I just had to put my third motor in my five month old Red Sea Reefmat 1200. When it works, it's a great product, but they use shoddy motors that burn out all the time. At this point I've just accepted that I need to swap out motors ever couple of months.

I am still under warranty. So the motors have been free thus far, but eventually it will just be another cost of operation. Replace the fleece every other week and replace the motor every other month.

 

[ieatbugman]

I just want to say that my random black box mp10 rip off works great for half the price.

 

[ieatbugman]

Actually all my random brand stuff works great. I had to replace a 15 dollar powerhead after two years. I would think its our mentality of “its the name brand therefore it the best” that is more the issue. Sometimes the name brand is not the best, look at nike compared to new balance;)