The test of time

bearpeidog · 10/26/2020, 06:41 AM

I was looking over my tank the other day and was thinking what pieces of gear that I still have from when I started or things I would get on a soap box for (meaning I would actively promote because it’s been that good)

My LiterMeter has been with me for over 17 years. So reliable!
Apex - not as reliable (multiple failures over the years) but would not run a tank without one. Such a great tool for monitoring and alerting
Panworld pump - been running continuously for 15+ years. Haven’t touched it, cleaned it. Out of sight out of mind.

Edited - forgot my Tunze Osmosulator. That is prob one of my favorites- not sure how I could forget that one!

Anyone else have gear that stands the test of time? I think my Tunze pumps would have but I went Ecotech and have upgraded/swapped so I won’t count them.

Sk8r · 10/26/2020, 12:00 PM

My Iwaki return pump. 13 years with only one intervention, to remove a colonista snail from the impeller drum. Went back together good as gold.
Jager heaters. Age unknown, but good for long, troublefree service.
Tunze pumps for topoff in kalk-charged tubs---never fail. Other pumps die a rapid death (impeller wear).

And if anybody has to move 5000 gallons of water, I'll add the Shinmaywa pump. (koi pond.) 12 years.

Michael Hoaster · 10/26/2020, 12:20 PM

Great thread idea! I look forward to seeing more posts. Very useful, thanks!

I'll add Tunze pumps. They never stop working. They're a perfect example of paying a little more up front to save so much more, down the line.

Sk8r · 10/26/2020, 12:53 PM

16 years---Oceanic glass tank, 50 gal. With 'topless' canopy. now in use for discus, no sign of wear.

Tcook · 10/26/2020, 01:08 PM

Still running my Oceanic 120 RR since 1995 with a move from Missouri to California in between.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

billdogg · 10/26/2020, 02:13 PM

Eheim 1262. I'm not sure it's even possible to kill one. I've got 2 - the new one is ~ 20 years old, the more mature one I got when I first started keeping marine fish in 1988. It had been used for years before that as the circulation pump in a petstore's feeder gold tank since 1970 or so. Oh - and I have that tank too - a Oceanic 120 that weighs a ton, has been through at least 5 or 6 moves with me, and has easily outlasted a couple other tanks. I have replaced the impeller in one of them, but that was due to my own mistake - overdosed Alk and it precipitated out around the magnet.

bearpeidog · 10/27/2020, 03:13 PM

Have you managed to keep scratches out? Mine has quite a few now. I swear the star fire glass i got is soft! 😀

Holy cow - 20 years!

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

Eheim 1262. I'm not sure it's even possible to kill one. I've got 2 - the new one is ~ 20 years old, the more mature one I got when I first started keeping marine fish in 1988. It had been used for years before that as the circulation pump in a petstore's feeder gold tank since 1970 or so. Oh - and I have that tank too - a Oceanic 120 that weighs a ton, has been through at least 5 or 6 moves with me, and has easily outlasted a couple other tanks. I have replaced the impeller in one of them, but that was due to my own mistake - overdosed Alk and it precipitated out around the magnet.

billdogg · 10/27/2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearpeidog

Have you managed to keep scratches out? Mine has quite a few now. I swear the star fire glass i got is soft! ��

Holy cow - 20 years!

And that's the new one. The older one is at least 30-35!

vlangel · 11/08/2020, 05:33 PM

I am pretty happy with my Coralife HOT5 4 bulb fixture. I bought it in 2012 and still going strong.

cody6766 · 11/11/2020, 09:23 AM

I have an autotopoff.com ATO that's been running in my tanks since I bought it used in 2008, or so.
My used MP40s have been running trouble free since I bought them on RC back in 2012
I had an OceanRunner return that I used from about 2008-2018. I sold the tank, but have no reason to assume that it's not still up and kicking.

I wouldn't swear by their reliability, but I have a Koralia powerhead in my saltwater mixing tank that has been running off and on for the better part of 7 years. I'm pretty sure I bought it about 9 years ago. It's the only one from back then that still works, but it's surprisingly going strong.

10/26/2020, 06:41 AM	#1
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	The test of time I was looking over my tank the other day and was thinking what pieces of gear that I still have from when I started or things I would get on a soap box for (meaning I would actively promote because it’s been that good) My LiterMeter has been with me for over 17 years. So reliable! Apex - not as reliable (multiple failures over the years) but would not run a tank without one. Such a great tool for monitoring and alerting Panworld pump - been running continuously for 15+ years. Haven’t touched it, cleaned it. Out of sight out of mind. Edited - forgot my Tunze Osmosulator. That is prob one of my favorites- not sure how I could forget that one! Anyone else have gear that stands the test of time? I think my Tunze pumps would have but I went Ecotech and have upgraded/swapped so I won’t count them. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 180 gallon Starfire, 3-Radion G1, Tunze with 7091 Controller, 2- ecotech mp40s, MP60, Panworld 250 return pump, TunzeATO, XP2000ss Reef Octopus Skimmer, Theiling rollermat Last edited by bearpeidog; 10/26/2020 at 08:35 PM.

10/26/2020, 12:00 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	My Iwaki return pump. 13 years with only one intervention, to remove a colonista snail from the impeller drum. Went back together good as gold. Jager heaters. Age unknown, but good for long, troublefree service. Tunze pumps for topoff in kalk-charged tubs---never fail. Other pumps die a rapid death (impeller wear). And if anybody has to move 5000 gallons of water, I'll add the Shinmaywa pump. (koi pond.) 12 years. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/26/2020, 12:20 PM	#3
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Great thread idea! I look forward to seeing more posts. Very useful, thanks! I'll add Tunze pumps. They never stop working. They're a perfect example of paying a little more up front to save so much more, down the line. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/26/2020, 12:53 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	16 years---Oceanic glass tank, 50 gal. With 'topless' canopy. now in use for discus, no sign of wear. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/26/2020, 02:13 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Eheim 1262. I'm not sure it's even possible to kill one. I've got 2 - the new one is ~ 20 years old, the more mature one I got when I first started keeping marine fish in 1988. It had been used for years before that as the circulation pump in a petstore's feeder gold tank since 1970 or so. Oh - and I have that tank too - a Oceanic 120 that weighs a ton, has been through at least 5 or 6 moves with me, and has easily outlasted a couple other tanks. I have replaced the impeller in one of them, but that was due to my own mistake - overdosed Alk and it precipitated out around the magnet. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/26/2020, 01:08 PM	#5
Tcook Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,350	Still running my Oceanic 120 RR since 1995 with a move from Missouri to California in between. Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

11/08/2020, 05:33 PM	#9
vlangel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,409	I am pretty happy with my Coralife HOT5 4 bulb fixture. I bought it in 2012 and still going strong. __________________ Genesis 1:20 - Current Tank Info: A 56 gallon naural nutrient macro reef that flows into a 30 gallon fuge with macros/seagrass that flows into a 20 gallon sump.

11/11/2020, 09:23 AM	#10
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	I have an autotopoff.com ATO that's been running in my tanks since I bought it used in 2008, or so. My used MP40s have been running trouble free since I bought them on RC back in 2012 I had an OceanRunner return that I used from about 2008-2018. I sold the tank, but have no reason to assume that it's not still up and kicking. I wouldn't swear by their reliability, but I have a Koralia powerhead in my saltwater mixing tank that has been running off and on for the better part of 7 years. I'm pretty sure I bought it about 9 years ago. It's the only one from back then that still works, but it's surprisingly going strong. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI