Grav February 12, 2011 Share February 12, 2011 All Stealth and Stealth Pro heaters 100w and up. I was a fan because they would shut off if they rand dry and got too hot. We stopped using them about a year ago because they "leaked" a little "juice" into the water. I guess they have made it official and pulled the plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind February 12, 2011 Share February 12, 2011 I have seen other threads on the net stating this recall but no documentation is provided on if it is a Marineland or vendor recall. What information do you have on how to turn it in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 12, 2011 Share February 12, 2011 Phil, can you post a manufacturer link to the recall? I can't seem to find one that seems reliable. A google search comes up with one site that is listed by Google as "This site may be harmful to your computer." Some of the discussion at RC seems also not to point to real manufacturer data. Could this just be rumor, or do you have information from the manufacturer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davelin315 February 12, 2011 Share February 12, 2011 Nothing from the CPSC on it, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav February 13, 2011 Author Share February 13, 2011 I got a letter from United Pet Group though one of the pet industries largest retail supply chain organizations on the east coast. No way to know it is real, it could be fake, but really?? How do I post a PDF file? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davelin315 February 13, 2011 Share February 13, 2011 When you add a post, go to the full editor and you should be able to upload a file. PDFs are allowed on the boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extreme_tooth_decay February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 Is anyone surprised? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdytat February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 http://www.royalpetsupplies.com/marketinginfo/VendorNotices/MARINELAND_Stealth_Pro_Heater_line.pdf and http://petsmart-mail.com/P/v3/Microsite.asp?E=1524;812537;1930616628;25;02&R=T1_ONL&A=1007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 Is anyone surprised? Only because rumors have been circulating about a recall for over a year without substantiation from the manufacturer.... There were replacements being made for certain lot numbers of Stealth Pro's early on, according to certain posts that have been around. Stealth Pro's have a different design (they have a separate lighted top, and the failure seemed to be tied to that top leaking) than the older Stealth heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 http://www.royalpetsupplies.com/marketinginfo/VendorNotices/MARINELAND_Stealth_Pro_Heater_line.pdf and http://petsmart-mail.com/P/v3/Microsite.asp?E=1524;812537;1930616628;25;02&R=T1_ONL&A=1007 Thanks. According to PetSmart, the withdrawl affects the Stealth Pro line (100, 200, and 250W versions). There is no mention here about the older Stealth heater. United Pet Group has asked retailers to pull the Pro version from their shelves, as well as the older models pending an investigation into the quality of the Stealth Pro. I'm going to call the manufacturer now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 No answer yet. "We are experiencing high call volume...." I'll bet. The Stealth Pro has been pulled from Marineland's website: http://www.marineland.com/sites/marineland/products/categories.aspx?id=2054&cid=1213&mid=3226 I'll try to post more information as I get it. If anyone else gets information beforehand, please post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 After three transfers, I reached a specialist on this matter. Here's the scoop: What models are affected? They recognize the issue with the Stealth Pro heater and are asking that retailers withdraw both old and new models (that is, BOTH Stealth Pro and the older Stealth heaters) from the market as an added precautionary measure. This affects models of 100W or greater (100, 200 and 250W). What should consumers do? For consumers, two options exist: They will replace the withdrawn heater with a new glass Visitherm model or will provide you a refund (if you have a receipt). To take either option through United Pet Group (apparently the holding company for Marineland), you need to call 1-800-338-4896. They will ask you some questions. They will, if you request it, ship you the replacement heaters first, allowing you to swap out heaters that are now in use in your tank. They will also pay for return shipment of heaters but you need to call the number listed above and ask them to open up a UPS call tag number for the return shipment. Alternatively, I see that (from the Petsmart memo above), that Petsmart is accepting the heaters and will replace or refund them as requested (it's unclear if you need to bring a receipt with you, though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extreme_tooth_decay February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 I wonder what the real reason is that they are doing this. Can't help but wonder if someone died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 Liability always seems like a good reason, wouldn't you say? Companies are always slow to realize where the balance is between withdrawing "because of quality concerns" and recalling "for safety concerns." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extreme_tooth_decay February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 Liability always seems like a good reason, wouldn't you say? Of course. But, they must have realized for quite some time how many problems were being reported with their "product". I expect companies often start determining how liable they are (and taking action) when something really bad and/or potentially public happens. Companies are always slow to realize where the balance is between withdrawing "because of quality concerns" and recalling "for safety concerns." As long as they are being pulled from shelves, I'll consider it a victory. I'm sure that comes as no surprise to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 14, 2011 Share February 14, 2011 As long as they are being pulled from shelves, I'll consider it a victory. I'm sure that comes as no surprise to you None at all. I'm rather surprised that they're pulling the old heaters, too. I've got several that I pulled and hold now only for emergencies. I've replaced them with Jager's that I picked up new or, in one case, several that I picked up brand new at a church yard sale (still in the box). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdytat February 15, 2011 Share February 15, 2011 Just had success returning one of the 100 watt Pro's that are in the PetSmart recall, and they also accepted a 100 watt Stealth (old model- ETP100) that is noted in the United Pet Group advisory. Of course, there was not much to choose from in regards to replacement units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 the petsmart down here told me that they would not be replacing the heaters but refunding the cost of the heaters to me. gonna find out tonight if that is the case, cause i have a 100w and a 250w of the old style. the 100w actually caught fire underwater and killed my regal angel long ago, wasnt too thrilled when marine land said they would be happy to take the heater back, but that there was no evidence of their heaters causing such issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 ^^Cash is definitely more flexible. Did they as you to bring in a receipt, though? Some of our heaters are several years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 no i specifically asked what to bring in, the fish department girl/woman said if i had a reciept to bring it in with them otherwise due to the recall they were doing the refunds regardless. so I will be testing that out this evening (5-7pmish) and will post back what happened. It appears that my local petsmart does not carry the marine land larger heaters at all so that is likely why they are doing a refund if that is really the case. and tom my 100w is over 5 years old and my 250w is at least 3 years old maybe 4. they are both the "old" style stealths, not the stealth pros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 and tom my 100w is over 5 years old and my 250w is at least 3 years old maybe 4. they are both the "old" style stealths, not the stealth pros. I'm sort of in the same situation with old heaters that I had in back-up in case of failure. I have 3 250W, 1 200W, and 1 150W - all of the old variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 well as soon as I know and can get home to post I will make sure I get an update up, I do know the recall covers all heaters 100w and up old or new style regardless of age according to my local petsmart, so hopefully the ones up there play by the same rules, if not I can at least give you the contact info to this store and yours can contact them if they arent on board with the recall. again I think the pure refund is due to my local not being stocked like the DC stores are in general so instead of bringing in heaters they dont carry normally to swap out they are just refunding. ironically my store does carry ehiem jager heaters, just not in the wattage I need (100w and less). I would love to swap to one of those simply due to their quality on the long term (tons of great reviews) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encideought February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 I just called my local petsmart and they said they would only take the 100, 200, and 250W models, not the 150. At least that's what one guy said. I've got an old 150 and an old 250. I'm planning on stopping by tonight with both to see what happens, I'll post again after I give it a shot. Thanks for starting this thread and bringing this to everyones attention! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 I just called my local petsmart and they said they would only take the 100, 200, and 250W models, not the 150. At least that's what one guy said. I've got an old 150 and an old 250. I'm planning on stopping by tonight with both to see what happens, I'll post again after I give it a shot. Thanks for starting this thread and bringing this to everyones attention! You can try calling PetSmart at the number that's listed in the link that was provided earlier. Remind them that the UPG "recall" includes the 100, 150, 200 & 250 Watt models. It could be that Petsmart didn't sell the 150W models and that may be the reason they won't take it back. It's really "above and beyond" in my mind that they'd take back all these heaters without receipts, unless they're getting directly reimbursed at the full return value by UPG/Marineland. Who knows where all these heaters were purchased? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager February 16, 2011 Share February 16, 2011 if petsmart refuses you can just go direct to marineland, but i would bet that since petsmart is so widespread, that its easier for marine land to get them out of the market faster by doing some sort of deal like this. I know I would be less likely to jump through hoops with marineland on the phone especially if you have to ask for shipping to be covered etc, versus just walking in petsmart and doing it all in a few minutes there, and while I am not a lawyer i bet it is cheaper to set that deal up then defend or deal with the potential lawsuits or bad pr if some obvious defect or material issue was found and publicized at the level they are pushing this recall. marineland is the "toyota" of fish stuff, so they have everything to lose if this got out of hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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