Is equipment failure just part of the hobby / something I should plan and get used to?

[NigelRichardson]

I'm coming up to my 4 year anniversary in the hobby (First tank still running), and I have a serious question...

I'm not having a moan (but I am extremely frustrated right now), I know that nothing lasts forever, and I know that any equipment anywhere near the harsh environment of a salt water aquarium is in for a beating...

But... having just had a 18 month old AI Nero Pump fail on me, I'm wondering if I'm right to be frustrated (i.e. I'm just unlucky), or if I need to reset my expectations and get used to "Just the way it is" with gear failures.

4 years in and I've had 3 separate ATO's die on me, one of my AI Prime lights, and one each Nero 3 and Nero 5 wave makers.

Does this "sound / feel" abnormal (I'm doing all regular maintenance on all the gear, so I don't think its me), or is this likely a "typical" failure rate and I need to plan on things failing (i.e. Keep spares of everything on hand, and reset my expectations so I'm surprised when things DONT fail" ?

Any insights / anecdotes appreciated (I've calmed down now, but a few hours ago I was ready to shut my tank down and bail on the hobby - especially since my tank has an amazing ability to have a massive problem about 2-3 days before I go on family vacation - you really couldnt make this up!)

 

[ryanjohn1]

I hate to say it but sorta yes. I have a lot of ai equipment. None of mine has failed. But that being said exposure to salt water is an extremely tough environment coupled with continuous operations these things fail. Some quicker than other.

 

[Dom]

Equipment breaks down. This is why redundancy in your planning is important (think more than one drain in your overflow).

I keep mission critical items (heaters and return pumps) on hand in case of a failure.

 

[Cell]

Equipment failure is part of the hobby, but within reason. A powerhead only lasting 18 months is not normal. You do not always get what you pay for with the high end equipment in our hobby. I've had 4x Jebao SLW powerheads that are Nero clones running continuously for 4 years with no issue and minimal maintenance.

Conversely, sometimes the most expensive stuff is the best. The Tunze 3155 ATO is arguably the most reliable ATO on the market, but also one of the most expensive.

You can always stop in here before buying to get opinions and info on specific brands and models of reefing gear because it's hard to know what is actually worth your money sometimes.

 

[elysics]

Depends on what kind of equipment. Heaters fail eventually, that's just how it works.

ATOs, depends on which part. The pumps will die if you let them run dry. The rest of the ATO shouldn't.

Flow pumps, no. Tunzes last forever, if a Nero dies early and you didn't jam a snail in there that's a problem and bad quality.

Lights, depends, if you clean the dust of and don't let them overheat they shouldn't die either.

As for spare parts, a heater and a return pump not necessarily an expensive one, power bars. Everything else can wait a few days.

After 10-15 years more things might break but if something dies in one or two years it's either misuse or bad quality.

 

[lbacha]

most of the equipment we use is hobby grade and as a result some parts will be more susceptible to wear and tear. If you run your equipment at 100% you are more likely to prematurely burn something out due to heat or wear and tear (this is why a lot of people recommend oversizing your gear) I would plan for stuff to fail, there is a reason people say the hobby is expensive and that’s because you will constantly be buying replacements for things like heaters, pumps, etc.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Unfortunately yes, its very normal. And happens quite often nowadays compared to when I first started almost 20 years ago.

 

[jft]

I think if you rely on equipment too much it will always eventually Fail. I been reefing since 1983 and Only rely on EHEIM PUMPS, 2217 canisters and a 8 year old reef Octo skimmer, No Fancy Gizmos. The eheim equipment have been running over 20 years, No Issues. Good LUCK!

 

[Tonycass12]

I'm coming up to my 4 year anniversary in the hobby (First tank still running), and I have a serious question...

I'm not having a moan (but I am extremely frustrated right now), I know that nothing lasts forever, and I know that any equipment anywhere near the harsh environment of a salt water aquarium is in for a beating...

But... having just had a 18 month old AI Nero Pump fail on me, I'm wondering if I'm right to be frustrated (i.e. I'm just unlucky), or if I need to reset my expectations and get used to "Just the way it is" with gear failures.

4 years in and I've had 3 separate ATO's die on me, one of my AI Prime lights, and one each Nero 3 and Nero 5 wave makers.

Does this "sound / feel" abnormal (I'm doing all regular maintenance on all the gear, so I don't think its me), or is this likely a "typical" failure rate and I need to plan on things failing (i.e. Keep spares of everything on hand, and reset my expectations so I'm surprised when things DONT fail" ?

Any insights / anecdotes appreciated (I've calmed down now, but a few hours ago I was ready to shut my tank down and bail on the hobby - especially since my tank has an amazing ability to have a massive problem about 2-3 days before I go on family vacation - you really couldnt make this up!)

Ai equipment is prone to failures sadly I've had 4 pumps fail 6 times in under 2 years until I just decided to stop using them.

Invest in the higher end gear it is worth it and lasts longer. Vortech pumps are great.

 

[braaap]

Personally I would say no. It’s not part of the hobby. I rarely have equipment failure. I have a heater that’s 15+ years old.

It’s a maintenance thing. Keep things clean and they should last a significant amount of time.

 

[ca1ore]

Every mechanical or electrical device ever made in the history of mankind has a useful operating life/mean time to failure. Better quality parts and careful use can certainly extend useful life.

I have generally bought what I deemed to be quality gear and have mostly not had failure issues. My main panworld pump just turned 10. My vortech pumps are both 6, and my radions 7. My apex A2 failed after 7.

I’m unfamiliar with the specific gear the OP notes. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes unlucky, and sometimes it’s user ‘error’.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Cars fail a lot too.

You gonna start walkin everywhere!?

All seriousness, I’m sorry that’s happened. I’d say keep trucking on.

Sometimes you go through gear until you get that golden nugget that just keeps going.

It’s always good to have “cheap” temporary back ups.

My Varios 4 return pump has surprised me for 4 years straight now.

My OG cobalt neotherm heater is still keeping the tank in a .2 variance range. For over 5 years now. It’s the main item I have that I’m definitely waiting to die.

But I bet the brand new Nero 3 I have is going to die before those lol

 

[Cell]

4 years in and I've had 3 separate ATO's die on me, one of my AI Prime lights, and one each Nero 3 and Nero 5 wave makers.

This is an abnormal failure rate for ATO's and powerheads in general. I think Nero's have a bit of a history of not lasting very long though so perhaps not abnormal for those pumps specifically.

 

[Rjukan]

This is an abnormal failure rate for ATO's and powerheads in general. I think Nero's have a bit of a history of not lasting very long though so perhaps not abnormal for those pumps specifically.

I've read about those Nero pumps failing a lot recently

 

[lbacha]

Something to consider as well with all the new DC equipment with controllers. The electronics in many of these controllers are susceptible to humidity. I would try to always have them outside the stand as the humidity levels in a non ventilated stand can prematurely cause the co trollers to fail.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

Does this "sound / feel" abnormal

Yes it does, but you might just be on the left end of the bell curve of equipment longevity (AKA, "just unlucky").

If the equipment is failing in a way that consistently involves electronics (as opposed to mechanical failures), I'd possibly suspect irregular power supply issues (spikes/sags/mild brownouts).

Three ATOs failing is pretty weird. I'd suggest offering more details on exactly what units you're using and exactly what the failures involved, to try to troubleshoot that separately. It may be that the ATO issues are related to each other, and the Nero failures are just product quality issues, and then all there is left is a failed AI Prime which isn't by itself very troubling.

 

[Dburr1014]

Electricity and water don't mix as the saying goes. Custic saltwater and electricity is even worse.
It stiffens our cords and seals on powerheads, it's also very conductive of you happen to spill it on other equipment. Hopefully they are not plugged in.

 

[NigelRichardson]

Thanks to all for the insights - a mix of perspectives (which is kind of what I was expecting).

If it's all part of the learning curve, not unexpected, and something i should just plan and budget for, I'm actually feeling a little better - so thank you !

My post definitely wasn't a complaint about any manufacturer - making equipment for the harsh environment of a saltwater tank - and at a reasonable price point - has to be a massive challenge - Relatively niche hobby so manufacturers aren't making millions of items to recoup their costs...

In the big scheme of things I'm doing ok - no major tank crash / no tank blowout, so I'll stick with it and see what happens. But very much thank you to the community for the feedback - the support from the group is more than appreciated.

(Amusing enough, after posting I realised that my list wasn't even complete - I've had a couple of heaters and a couple of Inkbird controller die too!)

(To the person who said "Cars breakdown, but do you walk everywhere?" - That made me laugh... Especially since the first car I ever bought ran for 17 years with no major parts changes and zero breakdowns - Maybe my luck on that one balances out some of my current angst - Reef tanks are expensive, but cars are in a whole different league!)

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Thanks to all for the insights - a mix of perspectives (which is kind of what I was expecting).

If it's all part of the learning curve, not unexpected, and something i should just plan and budget for, I'm actually feeling a little better - so thank you !

My post definitely wasn't a complaint about any manufacturer - making equipment for the harsh environment of a saltwater tank - and at a reasonable price point - has to be a massive challenge - Relatively niche hobby so manufacturers aren't making millions of items to recoup their costs...

In the big scheme of things I'm doing ok - no major tank crash / no tank blowout, so I'll stick with it and see what happens. But very much thank you to the community for the feedback - the support from the group is more than appreciated.

(Amusing enough, after posting I realised that my list wasn't even complete - I've had a couple of heaters and a couple of Inkbird controller die too!)

(To the person who said "Cars breakdown, but do you walk everywhere?" - That made me laugh... Especially since the first car I ever bought ran for 17 years with no major parts changes and zero breakdowns - Maybe my luck on that one balances out some of my current angst - Reef tanks are expensive, but cars are in a whole different league!)

Yeah definitely lucky on the car.

Must have been a Toyota.

 

[Bruttall]

Ai equipment is prone to failures sadly I've had 4 pumps fail 6 times in under 2 years until I just decided to stop using them.

Invest in the higher end gear it is worth it and lasts longer. Vortech pumps are great.

L1 lasted 5 years and failed which seems to be about average for the vortech, at nearly $500 to buy it then, that is $100 a year, so this time around I invested in a CURRENT pump (same GPH 3100) for about $230 and even if it only lasts 3 years, it is still a better bargain. Time will tell.

I do like the Vortech wavemakers, but not cuz of quality, I Like no cords in the tank which the only reason I have vortechs. Personally I find any EcoTech gear to be extremely expensive, almost prohibitively so in many cases.