Tetra tec ex filter range - STAY AWAY!!

Hi all

about 2 years ago i was excited to purchase an tetra tec ex 1200 filter......

Long story short, 4 filters down in 3years, one already replaced by tetra tec and leaking like a tap and noisey.

I have quite a bit of fish keeping experience and i have done all the "tricks" to try revive theses filters, lastest one is about 4months old and sounds like a truck idling in the driveway.

new O rings, new media, vaseline etc you name it ive done it!

Going to speak to the director of the Tetra again and fight for my money back or sufficient replacements as this is clearly a substandard product, i had a cheapo dolphin canister that was roughly 15years old and still going, its outlasted 5 filters that have all died in the last 3years.


STAY AWAY FROM TETRA BRAND FILTERS, TANKS. absolutely useless product unless you fancy it for a truck sounding fountain pump! in that case i have 4 for sale :notrust::call2::bath:

 

I have a Tetra Tec EX2400. I agree that it is noisy and I have also had a few leaks in the valves but despite that it is still running strong after 4 years.

About two years back there was a cable theft in the area which caused the three phase lines to short, the result was 380v being supplied to the 220v sockets, the whole tank ran on 380v for about an hour before I found out what was going on. I bought this filter because it was the cheapest I could find at the time and had a much higher flow rate than the others.

The dripping valves did bug me in the beginning but stopped after a little while and have not been an issue since.

Is it great quality, nope. Is it a cheap and cheerful bottom shelf filter that gets the job done, yes (For me anyway).

I can just imagine the frustration you must have gone through though, nothing worse than a filter calling it quits on a fully stocked tank. Interestingly, I have had a Sera Canister filter pack up after 18 months (Go an price a Sera filter sometime :blushing

 

So you want to SELL 4 filters replaced by the manufacturer at no cost if they are useless? What is your asking price?

 

I run 3 1200, no problems as yet, still the most silent filter I have, I bought a cascade 1200 in December that is way more noisy, due to poorly designed impeller/ housing.
If you are serious about selling, send me a pm, I'm in ct next weekend.

 

my 1200s o rings gave in, chucked the whole thing in a jojo out of pure anger that it only lasted 2 months, started it, and it ran almost 2 years fully submerged. never leaked voltage, took it out now looking for a main seal.

 

Your LFS should be able to get you one for under R100, alternatively get some o ring material and make one yourself, using silicone and superglue, there are a couple of threads dealing with this.

 

lol im in the sticks boet, my local lfs is stocked with bass and bream, i lost the seal dont know what the thickness should be

 

The agent in SA is Marltons, I'm sure they can send you one

 

shot il look them up thanx

 

We are waiting for the new range of tetra filters to come in, they changed the whole design of the Ex range.

Lets hope they are better

 

Also heard the new tetra is going to be much better.

 

You can get the large seal that seals the bottom part and top part from petcity montana for around R80.I also have to reseal mine today,hope it works.
@Lanzo
PM me the price list when you can,thx.

 

Mine after 2 years started getting noisy but I replaced the impeller shaft so my own mistake . No leaks at all, I think the people when installing the top part might just damage the oring as I open my filter every month with no issues .

 

I have the cascade 1200 and from time to time it sounds like there is sand in the impeller and then i know i have to clean out the pipes. Just clean the pipes and bleed the system again and then all is fine.

 

Nothing wrong with the EX range. Been running them for years. O ring willways go, wear and tear. Best value for money, IMHO

 

Imo I will only buy eheim, fluval and hydor canister filters

 

Like most things in life you get what you pay for / can afford. I have had excellent service from my cascade 1200. Pricewise I doubt there is a better option on the market.

 

I have often, not always, found that noise from a pump is due to some air in the impellor chamber.

 

Ja that happens Vis. Easiest is to connect the inlet and open till the water comes out at the outlet then connect and switch on. Is there a way that you can put too much filter floss in that it can be clogged.

 

I had an eheim that ran for 12 years and fluval for 8 no problems at all,sold them with my tanks and are probably still in operation.....my choice will always be fluval or eheim