Stealth Pro Recall?

[QuentinB]

Okay, so not a true recall, but I just received an email from Foster and Smith saying that Marineland has stopped the sales of their 100-300w models. F&S(not Marineland) suggests unplugging immediately and removing from the tank. F&S also says that they will exchange/refund my previous purchase, or I can call Marineland for warrantee information, which I'm assuming I'll have to do for the one I bought from an LFS.

I'll try to get a shot of the email up on here in a bit. I know many people use this heater, so I thought it'd be best to get the word out. I also know there's been some stories of fried tanks due to these heaters, so I'm assuming that's the cause of this.

 

[QuentinB]

Decided to save my photobucket and just post the text:

February 15, 2011
Dear QUENTIN,

We're contacting you with important news about your Marineland Stealth PRO Heater. Marineland is investigating quality issues involving the Stealth PRO Submersible Heater line, and out of an abundance of caution, they have stopped selling 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 watt models. If you have questions about this stop sale or to return these heaters under your Marineland warrantees, please call Marineland Customer Service at 800-338-4896.

Please stop using it immediately and take the following steps:

Unplug the heater from the wall to stop the flow of electricity
Let the heater cool for 15 minutes
Remove the heater from the tank
As a valued customer, your satisfaction is our priority and we would like to offer a replacement or refund for the heater you purchased from us.
Our team of Aquatic Specialists recommends the Marineland Visi-Therm Heaters or Fluval M Submersible Heaters as appropriate substitutes

Please contact Foster & Smith Aquatics Customer Service at 1-800-443-1160 at your earliest convenience to arrange the proper return and exchange/refund of your Marineland Stealth PRO Submersible Heater.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please let us help you continue to enjoy your favorite hobby for many years to come!

Sincerely,
Customer Care Team,
Foster and Smith Aquatics
1-800-443-1160
CustomerService@FosterAndSmithAquatics.com

 

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

My LFS had stopped selling them because customers was bringing them back left and right because their tank got fried and even a few tanks at the lfs that was using them had fried 5 of their tank, and they had informed marineland of the problem 3 weeks ago.

 

[QuentinB]

Man... That's no good. I'm glad they're doing something about it though...

 

[GlassMunky]

not cool, i had just bought one of these at my LFS maybe a month and a half ago.... i'll be keeping a better eye on my tank temp now.... =(

 

[catran]

Wow, I have 1 of these in each of my three tanks....not good! I only have one spare!

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

I think these are the newer ones... with the leds on top... the older ones didn't have the leds - thanks for sharing !

 

[glampka]

I had a 200W with the LED blow in my sump. Replaced that with a Finnex. When I saw the announcement I ordered a 300W Finnex to replace the other Stealth in the sump.

 

[Rhodes19]

I've had nothing but bad luck with Stealths especially with the new ones and I don't like the Finnex because it automatically resets to 82 deg after a power outage. I will never buy either one again.

 

[QuentinB]

I think these are the newer ones... with the leds on top... the older ones didn't have the leds - thanks for sharing !

Glenn, that's the model I have, that F&S emailed me about. I'm guessing they're having issues with that one as well, since they completely quit selling them...

Cat, I don't know how old they are, but it might be worth calling Marineland(that's why I didn't censor any of the phone numbers), and checking on the warrantee or what they can do about it. I have one in each of my two tanks, and no spares...

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Lots members of the RSM Club ran the old heaters... for years no problems... looked like this... but have read lots bad reviews of the new led ones - ones that have blown up...

 

[GlassMunky]

so can anyone just call up marineland and ask for a refund or something with the lifetime warrenty? It doesnt sound like an actuall recall from marineland, but that F&S is taking preventitive actions by not selling them......

 

[QuentinB]

so can anyone just call up marineland and ask for a refund or something with the lifetime warrenty? It doesnt sound like an actuall recall from marineland, but that F&S is taking preventitive actions by not selling them......

This is the part of the email I was referring to:

If you have questions about this stop sale or to return these heaters under your Marineland warrantees, please call Marineland Customer Service at 800-338-4896.

I agree that it's not a true recall, but I think it'd be worth the call anyway. I have no idea how they'd handle it, if they have some kind of fix, or a visi-therm replacement? I'm going to try to make the calls either tonight or tomorrow, so if I find out anything new, I'll definitely update.

Also, I'd like to point out that I'm not trying to put Marineland or their heaters down with this thread(I think most people realize that), I just wanted to get the word out. I actually think it says a lot about a company to take the incentive to stop sales and deal with a problem like they're doing.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Marineland - imo - actual a good company - there is a thread in the RSM club here on RS, where a stealth heater actually cooked a tank (stuck on), Marineland had the member send in the heater & tank pics... it was a RSM 130 (34 gallon) tank & they cut him a check for like $500 or $600 to replace his corals & fish, he told them the amount for the fish & corals & they mail him the check - you don't hear of to many companies doing that, though they should !

 

[GlassMunky]

WOW!! thats awesome. i wish all companies would be like that with customer service.....

 

[Reefmack]

Not good to hear that the Stealth heaters continue to have problems! It seems like since they went with the LED tops that there have been nothing but problems with their heaters. I used to recommend them until the earlier recall a few months ago, but not any more. Interesting on the Finnex resetting to 82 after losing power. All these problems are one reason I went to a controller to be sure the tank won't get cooked - too much of that happens.

 

[catran]

Yeah, I received an email from Drs. Foster and Smith too for one of my three. Guess I will have to call marineland for the other two. I liked the plastic. Too bad.

 

[QuentinB]

Hey Cat, if you make the calls before I get to, let us know what they say about it. I liked the heater as well, hides very well in my FW tank.

Terry, I think you have the right idea with the controller... Too bad they cost money and all...

 

[Reefmack]

Quentin - weigh the cost of about $100 for a controller against replacing everything in your tank should the heater stick on. For me it was an easy choice to make.

 

[QuentinB]

...but corals are a much prettier way to spend $100! lol...