Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: GrizzlysDad on January 09, 2013, 01:36:41 PM

Title: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 09, 2013, 01:36:41 PM
Hopefully everyone has stopped using the old Stealth and Stealth Pro heaters that were recalled.
Recently a guy was in Highland Tropical telling them about how his heater literally blew up in the tank and demolished his 75g.
The tank blew out a side panel and he lost everything. Marineland did settle willingly with him without any hassles.
If you are still using the old version of the Stealth heaters....STOP!!!

Now for the second reason I am posting here today. I have recently been going through all my aquarium stuff and I still have quite a few of these defective heaters in storage. I am finally getting around to returning them but figured I would see if anyone else has any that they need returned. I will handle this like a reverse group order....instead of you giving money and waiting for the item, you give me your heaters and when Marineland mails me the check I will give each person their refund.
I will not be keeping any of your refund. The prorated price of each heater will be returned to you.
If you are interested in participating, you can bring the defective heaters to the MCA auction on the 19th and I will write your info into a notepad specifically for this deal.
Now if you are interested in a replacement heater, I suggest you go through them directly.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Ron on January 09, 2013, 03:11:05 PM
How does someone tell if they have the "old version"?
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Regalblue on January 09, 2013, 03:29:13 PM
You used to be able to take the heaters directly to Petsmart & get a gift card or replacement. 

Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: danielratti on January 09, 2013, 03:30:51 PM
That's what I was wondering I have a bunch here that are stealhs that went bad and still have about 20 in use around the store.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 09, 2013, 05:41:47 PM
I have one in my Front tank and I imagine it's the old heater...not sure though.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 09, 2013, 08:25:57 PM
How does someone tell if they have the "old version"?
I'm not sure exactly but I will try to find out from them. When the recall happened, I just stopped using the Stealth models altogether...switched brands.

You used to be able to take the heaters directly to Petsmart & get a gift card or replacement. 


You might still be able to, but I personally prefer the cash back...not a replacement or a gift card I won't use.

That's what I was wondering I have a bunch here that are stealhs that went bad and still have about 20 in use around the store.
I'd find out asap...especially with a possible large quantity of miniature bombs in those tanks.

I have one in my Front tank and I imagine it's the old heater...not sure though.
I'll try to post the way to tell the difference asap...I certainly would hate to hear you lost those frontosa to a mishap like the guy I mentioned ended up experiencing.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: danielratti on January 09, 2013, 08:27:56 PM
They are in wet drys but still we have them in customer tanks as well. I went down stairs when I got home and have one in my 180 so lets hope its a new one.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 09, 2013, 08:39:30 PM
They are in wet drys but still we have them in customer tanks as well. I went down stairs when I got home and have one in my 180 so lets hope its a new one.

Well, like I mentioned, I will try to find out how to tell the difference and post it in this thread.
One issue I see in still having them in customer's tanks (if you service them) is the possibility of a law suit.
They might not have a case, but it would still be a PITA if the serviced customer claimed that "you, the store representatives should have known about the recall".
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: danielratti on January 09, 2013, 08:53:17 PM
Right. Ive seen we don't carry them anymore and we have switched over to another brand but those ones just seem to stop working right. So we might be switching back to marineland. Once I hear more on this we might just pull all of them depending on how old they are. Better to be safe then sorry.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: mightieskeeper on January 12, 2013, 10:52:23 PM
I think the recall was for all stealth heaters and I believe that marineland stop making that syle heater.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Joefish on January 13, 2013, 04:46:09 PM
http://www.marineland.com/Policies/Recall-Information.aspx ;)
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 13, 2013, 07:16:57 PM
Thanks Joe.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 22, 2013, 11:55:23 AM
So I called and I'm getting a refund for my two heaters. I gotta say, that's one of the best Customer Service experiences I've had. Less than 5 minute wait each time (called twice...had to decide if I wanted refund or replacement) and I got a true English speaking American on the line. Well, that or the "foreigners" have gotten really good at faking the accents. Either way, I'm impressed.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 22, 2013, 12:02:28 PM
So I called and I'm getting a refund for my two heaters. I gotta say, that's one of the best Customer Service experiences I've had. Less than 5 minute wait each time (called twice...had to decide if I wanted refund or replacement) and I got a true English speaking American on the line. Well, that or the "foreigners" have gotten really good at faking the accents. Either way, I'm impressed.

I agree...they have been great.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: danielratti on January 22, 2013, 09:48:09 PM
We sent a pile back for replacements and it was surprisingly easy. No only if hydro was as easy.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: RichE on February 03, 2013, 03:39:09 PM
how can you tell if they are stealth?
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on February 03, 2013, 03:41:01 PM
Fortunately I have no Stealth heaters.
Title: Re: Stealth Heaters~Please Read
Post by: Regalblue on February 03, 2013, 09:01:42 PM
how can you tell if they are stealth?
they're a black plastic with Red knob & is stamped with their logo.