Marineland Stealth Pro Heater zapped!

[sushiray]

Didn't want to hijack another member's post on stealth issues.

so I bought a stealth pro 300w to try it out for it's auto-shutoff feature from www.kensfish.com couple months back along with visitherm deluxe 300w cuz I still believe them to be one of the best reliable accurate heaters around.

well, guess what! just now when doing a w/c the pro was left plugged in & just when I went more than 1/2 way down the length of the heater it popped snapple cracked! sizzling smoking smelling burnt.

so now I have to go complain & see if they will replace (went to www.marineland.com to find out more warranty info also just now but didn't know we could have registered one's equipment purchase but it doesn't have the 300w listed anyway).

so add me to the growing list of users with issues with the stealth/pro model.

btw - we all know practically everything is made in china (except my hanes underwear, made in mexico!) so no surprise the pro is. but this is a big surprise is that the visitherm deluxe is made in italy (guess these are the older stock ken still had)! not sure if that means better quality (for fashion yes but aquatic equipment??!!) - but I still feel the quality is there for the visitherm deluxes.

this is post I checked b4 I made my purchase:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211162

here is my post back in jan.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214648&highlight=visitherm+heater&page=2

will post to see how I make out with the company.

[sushiray]

so, they will replace it. customer svc was fine. but costs me $9 for ups, there goes my savings at kens.

[msjinkzd]

they tried to tell me I had to have original receipt and all packaging (who keeps heater packaging!!) until I asked to speak to a manager...then they replaced but I had to mail back the damaged heater first. Pain in the butt

[svf]

Yeesh. And most people who DO keep all the packaging for all the stuff they buy are called... hoarders. :screwy:

[kevinb120]

they tried to tell me I had to have original receipt and all packaging (who keeps heater packaging!!) until I asked to speak to a manager...then they replaced but I had to mail back the damaged heater first. Pain in the butt

And in the mean time you what....BUY ANOTHER HEATER....then you have an extra one, yay! :huh:

[msjinkzd]

exactly

[Squawkbert]

Why replace a detonated hand grenade with an undetonated one?

Buy a Stealth if available or go Rena/Finnex/Jaeger... anyone else at least half way reputable.

StealthPro=time bomb...

[J double R]

wait.. so you willfully and purposefully exposed an energized heater to open air, in an operational tank?

First - If you wanted to test the heater's ability to not catastrophically fail in conditions that warrant failure, you should not conduct said testing in a tank you wish to keep in good shape.

Second - It's a SAFETY feature, not a "bonus add-on". The auto shut-off is not there for your convenience, it is there IN CASE the water level dropped while you weren't around.

The heater should not have failed, but that is not the point. The heater should not have been willfully subjected to failure conditions, regardless of interlocks.

[briar14]

Purchased a Stealth Pro from F&S when they were first introduced and found it to be extremely innaccurate in maintaining desired temps.
returned to F&S for credit [$9.00 shipping loss] and purchased the very expensive Fluval E200. so far has been great[should be for the price] maintains extremely accurate settings.only gripe is housing should be black instead of grey to better blend to my tank background

[pinkertd]

The Visitherm Deluxes USED to be made in Italy. I've always used them with terrific reliability and temperature accuracy. I run a lot of 300W heaters and I replace them every couple/few years, taking advantage of sales at Drs. F&S. A few months ago I got some new Visitherms Deluxes and they too are now made in China. Every one of them is inaccurate on the temperature setting vs. actual tank temperature. We'll see how they do in the long run.

[goalieman59]

You can have them replace them with any marielandmodel that you choose, they don't like to tell you that.

[sushiray]

hmmm. that's a good point. will call again since they should get by tomorrow wed. & see if I can switch to the deluxe.

as for willfull exposure, I plum forgot. also, besides the pro I also had the deluxe in same tank but that w/o auto shut off was not damaged.

I have to say the quality coming out of china has a poor track record!

will be ordering more deluxes but hope they will be italian made...

[odinthejd]

This is why I am gonna get a titanium heater!

[The Zigman]

I just ordered 3 stealths from Kens.

I should have them tomorrow. Hopefully they dont send the Pro..
I didnt order the pro..

[mellowvision]

the thing about titanium heaters, is that if you leave them running while lowering the water, you're likely to melt the suction cups and holders right into the tank. happened to me, true story.

the heater and tank were fine, but the suction cups were a ball of goo, and the smell was awful. not something you want in your tank.

what all these heaters need are quick shut offs wherever the thermostat dial is. unplugging is not always as easy as it should be.

[odinthejd]

I agree like a switch like on lights that would turn them off

[sushiray]

well, my last order was from kens, visitherms made in italy, the pro from china

[The Zigman]

Well I ordered 3, 100 wat stealths from kens, and today I got 3, 100 watt stealth Pro's. Not too thrilled about that.

I'll bet that soon the Pro model will replase the regular stealth.
Anyway, I put one in my tank, and we'll see how it goes.

Incidently, I did have a 250 watt stealth that actually melted the plastic bracket that holds it to the suction cup, so these heaters do get that friggin hot.

[lookit]

This morning I discovered the water temperature in my 29-gallon tank at 92 degrees. My fish, especially the cories, were in a bad way. I can only presume my Marineland Stealth (made in Italy) heater got stuck "on." I immediately removed the heater from my tank and changed out about 13-14 gallons of water. I also added two air bubblers to increase the oxygen in my tank. Temp has dropped to around 80 degrees and, so far, no one has died. I just hope I really do escape disaster. To say the least, I'm not very happy about this. In all, I have 9 or maybe 10 Marineland heaters -- all bought within the last 15 months. If I have to replace them all, I'm going to be really pissed!

[nc0gnet0]

Add me to the list of users with a failed stealth pro after only 2 weeks!

[sushiray]

so how do we get marineland to improve their quality? dang! its simple electronics they should have perfected in this day n age!

I already complained but one voice doesn't make it.

[J double R]

so how do we get marineland to improve their quality? dang! its simple electronics they should have perfected in this day n age!

I already complained but one voice doesn't make it.


posting in a forum does nothing to improve product quality. It spreads the word, and may cause them to take a hit in business, but if there are recalls to be made or similar, people need to email/write letters to Marineland themselves. It would be even better if the writer could send photograps of the failed devices (if it was an externally visible failure, even melted suction cups)

but the thing to remember is... don't rely on safety interlocks if you don't absolutely have to.

[sushiray]

I try not to but it was an accident!

[Weezer]

All mine working flawlesly.........:goldfish:

[sushiray]

All mine working flawlesly.........:goldfish:

lucky lucky u!!

[Squawkbert]

A friend has a 10W Stealth-Pro in a 3g eclipse setup. I'm not sure why they call it a pro, it looks like a stealth w/o a knob (it's preset to 78°F). It is made in China.

Is anyone aware of any problems w/ the 10W ones?

According to anecdotal evidence provided on last week's *********** show, Marineland is interested in knowing the s/n of a Stealth Pro whenever anyone calls about them. Maybe it's just a series of batches that are no good.

[sushiray]

not sure how many use 10w but the higher wattage seems to be the ones having probs. I think it's more than a series off batches, I think may be a design/electronic flaw.

[The Zigman]

I just got 3 100 watt stealth pros on accident. I ordered regular stealths, but they sent me pros. Anyway after a week, the temp is right on the button in all 3 tanks with these running, and so far, none have exploded either!


Ok I just double checked, and all tanks with these heaters are 4 degrees off...
Not happy.

[sushiray]

just don't make same mistake I made by forgetting to unplug (even tho it's suppose to have auto shut off) during w/c's.

[Star_Rider]

I just got 3 100 watt stealth pros on accident. I ordered regular stealths, but they sent me pros. Anyway after a week, the temp is right on the button in all 3 tanks with these running, and so far, none have exploded either!


Ok I just double checked, and all tanks with these heaters are 4 degrees off...
Not happy. zig,
you could have gotten off far worse.
I have three newer stealths all will not shut off. they had been running in the tanks for less than 3 months when they failed.
I replaced them with pro's which are all working.
I have never trusted the dial reading on the heaters so I set and test then rest if needed.

[dvanv]

It's a shame that you need to adjust the temps by trial and error than the heater dial. More and more products made in China because they can get them made cheaper. There is no quality control of their work.

[Star_Rider]

It's a shame that you need to adjust the temps by trial and error than the heater dial. More and more products made in China because they can get them made cheaper. There is no quality control of their work.
I am not sure where all my heaters are made. but that said.. the dial temp selection on nearly all of the various brands I have are not accurate.
the exception I have are the older Stelaths that are usually within 1-2 degrees of the setting.

[sushiray]

well, my visitherm deluxes are all accurate. the 2 I had (300w + 200w) in my 72gal tank kept the temps steady & exactly at what I set it for, 86…

btw - they were made in italy if that means anything.

[MikefrMd]

The only Stealth I've owned also failed. Came into to my room and noticed everything off in the tank....breaker clicked off. After reseting the breaker and it tripping again I narrowed down the culprit to the Stealth...it was split right down the side.

I've decided to stick to Ebos

[briar14]

Fluval E series. Big bucks but if you want accuracy,my experience proves its the one.

[rocker92]

i wouldnt mind if you posted on my thread, i would actually prefer it! i have had no luck, my PRO didnt keep temp, and im right with you, THE OLD STEALTHS ARE BETTER!!!!

BTW: thanks for posting another thread to inform people that this may not be the best buy.

[sushiray]

we all need information & experiences to be shared. thks to you for starting it.

I haven't received my replacement, wondering if they even sent it...

[Squawkbert]

10W one was no good - held tank at >90°F. it's going back : (

[sushiray]

this is by far inexcusable, they should at least pay for rtn shipping, so any $ we had saved is down the drain! I think we need a blitz campaign to boycott them!

[fishie111]

I have had 3 Stealth Pro 250W heaters. One fried when I first installed it- got a replacement immediately from drsfostersmith. One is still working okay after about 3 months. The other no longer holds the right temperature (about 5 degrees off) after 4 months of use.

I am frustrated trying to figure out what to buy next.

[sushiray]

I have had 3 Stealth Pro 250W heaters. One fried when I first installed it- got a replacement immediately from drsfostersmith. One is still working okay after about 3 months. The other no longer holds the right temperature (about 5 degrees off) after 4 months of use.

I am frustrated trying to figure out what to buy next.

I still like visitherm deluxes, I just ordered AC70's for $20ea thru big als, so also ordered 4heaters since they do price match gtee + 5%!

if I do consider changing I was going to buy hagens via kens. let us know what u decide.

if I do consider changing was thinking of hagens via kens. let us know what u decide.

[sushiray]

just called marineland & they did confirm receipt of my rtn but haqvent shipped replacement they're doing inventory. so I was able to chg replacement from the pro stealth to visitherm deluxe, they said should ship mon. will wait n see!

[sushiray]

now after my order with big als online, I will end up with 5 heaters. better stocked than not if any mishaps.

[mel_20_20]

I've had two VisiTherm Stealth heaters go bonkers. One was a 250Watt and one was a 100Watt. I called Marineland and they asked for the numbers on the shaft of the heater and sent me replacements. I asked them if they wanted me to send the problem heaters back to them, but they said not necessary.

I asked if they would send the VisiTherm Deluxe instead of the Stealth and they said they would.

I'm not happy with the Marineland heaters I've had, but they have been very good about replacing them.

[sushiray]

I've had two VisiTherm Stealth heaters go bonkers. One was a 250Watt and one was a 100Watt. I called Marineland and they asked for the numbers on the shaft of the heater and sent me replacements. I asked them if they wanted me to send the problem heaters back to them, but they said not necessary.

I asked if they would send the VisiTherm Deluxe instead of the Stealth and they said they would.

I'm not happy with the Marineland heaters I've had, but they have been very good about replacing them.

I was told to send my unit back. wish they just asked me for the serial #'s & save me $9.

yes, I'm sure they are good in replacing, just wish they get it right by now...

[sushiray]

I just received my replacement but instead of pro asked for visitherm deluxe. but no letter of apology or acknowlegement.

[Jannika]

Maybe PRO stands for

Possible Return Onslaught
Past Reputation Obliterated
Payroll Reduction Overestimated?

[Jannika]

Parts Reaction, Oops
Pre-paid Return Outrageous
Please Re-think Original
Pitch Return in Outhouse

Sorry, I'll stop. I have to disagree that posting on forums has no effect whatsoever though. I almost bought one of these but changed my mind after reading about the problems here.

I try to avoid anything made in China (not easy!) because my experience has been terrible with anything made there. I understand the cost-savings and a company trying to remain competitive when people have to watch their budget, but the differences between pre and post-China made products are vast enough to warrant a name change or warning.

[sushiray]

pissed return option