Tunze Powerheads are NOT WORTH THE MONEY

[garbermatt]

So I'll admit, I have not been meticulous about cleaning my powerheads. HOWEVER, given that i've never paid $500 for a pair of powerheads I didn't think it was necessary to keep them from dying. I mean, in the past i've had lots of cheap fish tank motors that were rarely if ever cleaned and kept chugging away so I assumed these would at least be comprable. I thought that's why people bought Tunze in the first place. For reliability.

Anyway they've both died now in less than a year and I just bought off brand replacements at my LFS for $22.99 each and they're performing just as well as the Tunze ever did. I figure the worst that could happen is they crap out on me in a few months and i'm still in better shape than I was with the Tunze. Anyway, end of rant.

[Bpb]

While lemons seem to be fewer amongst nice things they’re certainly not exempt. I just had a 2 year old tunze 6105 die on me, and they offered me an $80 replacement motor but I’d have to send it in to have it all fixed and reassembled. 2 years, a period of inconvenient downtime, frustration, and $300 for a powerhead to die and be replaced isn’t acceptable. Not matter how good the customer service is. I know some people love them and they’ve lasted decades for some. I jumped ship though and will just keep my one remaining working one around as a backup


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[slief]

Originally Posted by garbermatt

So I'll admit, I have not been meticulous about cleaning my powerheads. HOWEVER, given that i've never paid $500 for a pair of powerheads I didn't think it was necessary to keep them from dying. I mean, in the past i've had lots of cheap fish tank motors that were rarely if ever cleaned and kept chugging away so I assumed these would at least be comprable. I thought that's why people bought Tunze in the first place. For reliability.

Anyway they've both died now in less than a year and I just bought off brand replacements at my LFS for $22.99 each and they're performing just as well as the Tunze ever did. I figure the worst that could happen is they crap out on me in a few months and i'm still in better shape than I was with the Tunze. Anyway, end of rant.

If you killed two Tunze’s in less than a year, I suspect you have other issues. Which model pumps were these?

I’ve been running Tunze power heads for over a decade and haven’t had a failure to date. In fact, some of mine are 10 years old. I’ve also installed Tunze’s on several other tank installs and never had an issue. I’ve got 6105’s and 6205’s in my main display some of which are pushing 10 years of service, two 6095’s in my display fuge and a 6055 in my frag tank. I’ve installed a number of 6255’s and 6155’s in customers tanks which have been running for a few years now. All without skipping a beat.

That said, if these are less than year old and two failed, why didn’t you contact Tunze USA for replacements? They have great service and support.

[64Ivy]

Originally Posted by slief

I’ve been running Tunze power heads for over a decade... In fact, some of mine are 10 years old.

So are mine and I've been running Tunzes for even longer. Can't say I've had NO issues but those I've had were always rectifyed in a timely and effiecient manner. Can't say enough good things.

[dubmaneh]

That is unfortunate. My experience has been different. After buying a few used Tunze items that continued working for a long time (one piece was broken and Tunze support was great even though it was purchased used and well beyond warranty) I switched my powerheads all to Tunze. Have been great thus far. Switched from another top shelf brand which had issues from the beginning.


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[smatter]

They are far and away the most reliable pumps available. Not sure what's up with yours but why not just get them replaced under the excellent no questions asked warranty?

[Kevin Guthrie]

I've got a pair of Seio M1500's (a lot cheaper than Tunze) that have been running for about 10 years. I broke a ceramic shaft first time I cleaned them and got a replacement in a few days. I clean the impellers every 6 months or they won't restart. Other than that, no problems.

[marinelife]

I had Streams in my tank for 13 years without issue. Tunze makes great products. if I would start using powerheads again I would not hesitate to get Tunze equipment. I still run a Tunze Skimmer. US Customer service is the best as well.

[Joe0813]

ive never used the tunze but my ecotech mp40s are around 8-9 years old without any issues. I actually just took them off to try the Neptune wav

[alton]

I am confused because Tunze has a two year warranty, so the pumps will be fixed at no charge except shipping? I don't know of any DC controllable pumps for $22? And I always like the "if it last for months I am way ahead." Land fills are filling up, we don't need to fill them any faster! Plus people need to understand to protect their electrical devices from surges. The fact that both pumps went out the same time leads me to believe it was some kind of power surge.

[phenom5]

I've got a little Tunze Nano Stream that I bought in like...2005 or 2006. Still running in my sump right now. Have had the odd wear & tear replacement, but that thing is a freakin tank.

[d2mini]

Tunze are awesome.

[smatter]

And you only pay shipping to get it to Roger, they pick up the return shipping.

[sde1500]

My Tunze powerheads have been rock solid. One vinegar soak each in two years, running perfectly. I wouldn't discount them from one bad experience, and as others have said they were still under warranty, not sure why you didn't reach out to Tunze.

[Nanook]

Tunze has awesome customer service! Not sure what your issues were or why you chose to bash one of the best company names/reputations in the business. Did you contact them before coming here to start a row? Looking at your equipment list you started in August 2017, you said you were using Gyres, never saw a single post on Tunze

[cincyjim]

Been using the same ones for the past 7 years and never had an issue with them.