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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

2.5 years a common "fall apart" time for equipment

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20 Jun 2010 15:47 - 20 Jun 2010 15:48 #1 by BenEadir (John Murray)
Hi all,

In the last few weeks I've had my TetraTec 1200 External filter start to leak, my Juwel Multilux T5 Lighting unit stop working and now one of the diaphrams in my TetraTec APS400 air pump has torn. It was a new custom tank 2.5 years ago so I'm just wondering if there is some built in obsolescence into acquarium equipment in general? i.e. everthing fails shortly after the 2 year warranty is up!! I'm not seriously thinking this is the case but I'm frustrated.

I've gotten some help ref the external filter and the lighting unit but the APS400 diaphram is a new problem. I've opened the unit and visually confirmed the tear in one of the diaphrams.

Is there a DIY fix for this as it seems like a fault which could happen frequently? I really don't want to have to buy a new unit but as I run an Organic Aqua setup I neeed both diaphrams working so need a solution ASAP.

Any suggestions on a fix or a better quality pump much appreciated.

Ben
Last edit: 20 Jun 2010 15:48 by BenEadir (John Murray).

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20 Jun 2010 16:58 #2 by JohnH (John)
You should be able to buy a repair kit for your air pump - new diaphragms and flapper valves, they're easily fitted - plus if it has one, clean the air filter.

Ask the sponsors by PM.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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20 Jun 2010 18:00 #3 by BenEadir (John Murray)
Thanks JohnH,

I think these reviews hit the nail on the head. If anyone can counter otherwise i.e. pump lasting a decent length without replacing the diaghrams please speak up!!

www.reviewcentre.com/reviews218764.html

Ben

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20 Jun 2010 19:11 #4 by Acara (Dave Walters)
I havnt read that review,will do shortly,but I have 2 APS400 air pumps,and unusually for Tetratec,I find them to be utter rubbish(a stronger word would be better).I replaced one last night as I'm fed up with them.Neither have had any maintenance(will try when time permits),but have had very little use,and if maintenance was needed in that time,I would not reccomend them.

always on the lookout for interesting corys.pm me if you know off any!

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20 Jun 2010 20:47 - 20 Jun 2010 20:48 #5 by BenEadir (John Murray)
Hi Acara,

Your own summary paraphrases the reviews on the link I posted very nicely i.e. these TetraTec APS pumps are complete pieces of sh1t!!

Why doesn't someone start a reviews section here to build up a database of product comparisons a la reviews.cnet.com? Unbiased testing of pumps, filters, lighting systems etc by real/expert fishkeepers in real world settings would be a great addition to the site IMO.

Ben
Last edit: 20 Jun 2010 20:48 by BenEadir (John Murray).

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20 Jun 2010 22:22 #6 by JohnH (John)
There is a 'Product Reviews' section in 'Equipment'.
By all means use it and given an unbiased review of any new equipment you have bought. Sadly - as with anything of this nature - there will be as many complaints against as recommendations for a product.
All we would ask is that you give honest reviews of anything, good or bad - but please remember, the facility is not there to slander companies! The Forum has to be very careful of that, since we do not want to be facing the legal system for a Member's 'unfortunate' personal opinion if it contains a slanderous comment.
Otherwise review away.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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21 Jun 2010 18:17 #7 by DJK (David Kinsella)
BenEadir wrote:

Hi all,

In the last few weeks I've had my TetraTec 1200 External filter start to leak, my Juwel Multilux T5 Lighting unit stop working and now one of the diaphrams in my TetraTec APS400 air pump has torn. It was a new custom tank 2.5 years ago so I'm just wondering if there is some built in obsolescence into acquarium equipment in general? i.e. everthing fails shortly after the 2 year warranty is up!! I'm not seriously thinking this is the case but I'm frustrated.


Ben,

Just to let you know there is a 3 year warranty on both the above ex filter and the air pump. Try this link for diagnostics and warranty information etc. I had a problem with a lid/lighting unit for a Tetra tank and they looked after me very well I must say.

www.tetra-service.net/tetra/go/5C1B60BB2...F04E7BD21/?lang_id=2

Hope this helps for you and everybody else on the forum.

Dave

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21 Jun 2010 18:38 #8 by Viperbot (Jason Hughes)
Yeah Tetra are renowned for their great customer service here. I girl by the name of Laura or Louise?? handles the complaints.

Jay

Location: Finglas, North Dublin.

Life
may not be the party we hoped for, but while we
are here we might as well dance.

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22 Jun 2010 09:08 #9 by BenEadir (John Murray)
Thanks, I'll get onto TetraTec and see what they can do ref the External Filter and the Air Pump.

Also, can anyone tell me where I can get an Arcadia 54W T5 Twin Controller a la www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid=7&mid=10&lan=en&sub=&id=4 ? The product reference I need is AEUD554.

I'm trying to buy local but can't find anyone who stocks these.

Ben

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23 Jun 2010 08:38 #10 by mickdeja (Mick Whelan)
Send a PM to Mark there, think he has a Arcadia T5 unit for sale.:)

Follow me up to Carlow

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23 Jun 2010 12:39 - 23 Jun 2010 12:41 #11 by Ma (mm mm)
Its 39w lads, was sold it as 54w but on closer inspection, erm no. Its 39w and f all use in my Vision.


ALWAYS check everything you buy on here before paying and always walk away if there is a "Last Minute Snag" with gear after you arrive to collect it from a seller.


You live and you learn eh.


Mark

Sorry forgot what thread I was on:angry:

Location D.11
Last edit: 23 Jun 2010 12:41 by Ma (mm mm).

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23 Jun 2010 19:26 #12 by BenEadir (John Murray)
Thanks Mark,

Its a 54W Im after.

BenEadir

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