Do you replace working equipment?

[mike550]

I’m wondering if part of my tank maintenance is to also replace equipment on a set schedule or wait until it fails — especially critical items like heaters and return pumps. For example, do you replace your return pump every 5(?) years and heaters every 3(?). I’m caught between ”it’s working let it keep going“ and “what if the replacement is less realiable”

Thanks in advance for thoughts

 

[90's reefer]

Heaters once every 2 years. I only run heaters in the winter. 24/7 I would replace once a year.
Keep the used as backup.

I keep backup pumps for every pump I have.
I run Tunze return pumps so they tend to last quite awhile.
I have 15+ year old Tunze powerheads that still run strong.

I would not replace a pump thats working though.

 

[Mjl714]

I’m with you, i do replace heaters every 3ish years, buying during a sale. Return pumps, i have a backup and rotate each pump out for cleaning annually, i figure if one ever fails i already have an immediate backup. Ato pump, i keep a backup on hand.

 

[mfinn]

I haven't replaced equipment just because it was old but still working.
With pumps, there usually are warning signs that they are not working like they used to.
Noise, extra heat in the tank, decreased flow. If I see those issues, I'll buy a replacement and have it ready or do the replacement if the issues become worse.
I usually wait until a heater is not working at all before it gets replaced.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m wondering if part of my tank maintenance is to also replace equipment on a set schedule or wait until it fails — especially critical items like heaters and return pumps. For example, do you replace your return pump every 5(?) years and heaters every 3(?). I’m caught between ”it’s working let it keep going“ and “what if the replacement is less realiable”

Thanks in advance for thoughts

I am periodically upgrading or moving up to the latest and greatest and will acquire new equipment and hold old as backup Or clean and sell the replaced components

 

[Narideth]

Good questions! I personally keep at least one spare heater on hand if any of them go out. My experiences with heaters in particular has been them simply stopping working. I know other people have had other more... catastrophic failures.

I've been collecting aquarium equipment for so long that I sort of have a backup for most of the important things, or at the very least, something I could rig that would work until I could outright replace it. I am pleased that I have a backup skimmer, but that was not intentional, things just worked out that way.

I don't replace anything until and unless it breaks though.

 

[LordofCinder]

I keep it going until it fails, or until it goes far beyond the life expectation, then I get nervous.

I replaced a functiong eheim heater after 10 years, replaced my functioning MH fixture after 13 years. My aquarium itself is 17 years old....

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

i did replace some pumps but only cuz they were old RIO's and only have hot and cold wires (no grounds).
Heaters i used to change yearly,,, im trying the helios heaters now, i think i will leave them till they give me a reason not to. but i also have ranco's on them just in case. ive got some newer dc pumps, but most of my pumps are old iwaki and panworld and those are the best for longevity.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Definitely don’t wait until it fails and/or have a backup of the essentials like the heater and circulation pump. I have several of each.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Knock on wood... Here in the Midwest United States BRS gets equipment to me in 2 days. I do have pumps that I could use in case of an emergency, but not identical back-ups. My heater seldom runs so I don't worry about it too much. Again, I have some heaters that I could add in a pinch but would have to order a replacement.

 

[Dburr1014]

I’m wondering if part of my tank maintenance is to also replace equipment on a set schedule or wait until it fails — especially critical items like heaters and return pumps. For example, do you replace your return pump every 5(?) years and heaters every 3(?). I’m caught between ”it’s working let it keep going“ and “what if the replacement is less realiable”

Thanks in advance for thoughts

Some stuff.
As said, heaters, upgraded pumps and keep the old.
Peristaltic pump rollers, keep the old until the new one dies, order a new one and pop on the old until new one is in.
ECT..

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Definitely don’t wait until it fails and/or have a backup of the essentials like the heater and circulation pump. I have several of each.

i just run multiple heaters (properly sized heaters )and dual return pumps (but i also have 2 spare return pumps). i also avoid using any centralized controller as if it fails you might lose several things at once. best to keep it simple.

 

[Tcook]

Apex Cor pump’s definitely keep a power brick and control head on hand. Heaters once a year. I think BRS did a video and recommended every 6 months.

 

[mike550]

i just run multiple heaters (properly sized heaters )and dual return pumps (but i also have 2 spare return pumps). i also avoid using any centralized controller as if it fails you might lose several things at once. best to keep it simple.

@YOYOYOReefer I hear what you’re saying. I have a Neptune but to your point I use it mostly for “on/off” functionality. Thx

 

[mike550]

Heaters once every 2 years. I only run heaters in the winter. 24/7 I would replace once a year.
Keep the used as backup.

I keep backup pumps for every pump I have.
I run Tunze return pumps so they tend to last quite awhile.
I have 15+ year old Tunze powerheads that still run strong.

I would not replace a pump thats working though.

Wow. I’m already behind schedule. Hahah