DrFosterssmith.com killed my tank

[Pain Devine]

My light just popped on and I noticed a snail laying upside down... So I reached in to turn him upright and noticed the water was HOT to the touch. Then I noticed all the dead fish.

When I ordered my heater from www.drfostersmith.com, it came with a note that said "Not for saltwater" so I called them... their website said it wAS for saltwater. I argued with them and they said that it was a missprint. Well guess what! ITS NOT FOR SALTWATER It shorted out and all my animals are dead now.

www.drfostersmith.com can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. Never buy anything from them ever.

[BillyZ]

I understand that you're upset, but be clear. Did DrF&S make the heater or simply sell it to you? Did you call the manufacturer about the heater or DrF&S?

[Pain Devine]

Who cares? They sold it and then TOLD me it was Saltwater safe! They are responsible for this. If you do a search you'll find my origional post about it when I first got the heater.

[revhtree]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

What size tank do you have, and what did'nt make it?

I am so sorry.

[Pain Devine]

Bah, I called them, they refused to admit anything they did was wrong. In fact, they are still selling it and are going to continue to do so.

[Pain Devine]

If anyone lives in Madison Wi and wants 18lbs of live rock, let me know. You would need to re-cure it. It looks like the corline algee lived but I'm sure everything else is dead. I dunno if the algee will die or not...

[Atari]

That sucks!

What brand heater? It's actually not uncommon for heaters to stick in the on position.

[Pain Devine]

It was a Via-Aqua

Guess what, I found out that my Naussariss snail (the ones that dig in the sand) lived. I took him to the pet store, they were shocked that he lived. I don't think they believed me about just how hot the water got untill I handed the guy the bag. He said "wow, the waters still hot!" lol

I'm lucky I'm already Crazy... otherwise this little event may have pushed me over the edge.

[saberry]

Sorry that happened to you. I have never ordered from Dr's Foster&Smith but I have always been a little skeptical of them. They recommend some flea & tick products for dogs that are simply not safe, so I have kind of steered clear. I do like the animal profiles they have on liveaquaria.com though.

When you called, did you get the impression that you were talking to someone who new their stuff, or just a phone operator? Apparently it WAS the latter.

To date, I have been very impressed with AA sponsors; like captivereefs, and premium aquatics. You should deinately check them out in the future.

[WarOrks15]

ummm i have that same heater on ym salt water tank. my tank has been up for over 6 month with that heter on it and all my fish and corals are doing great. i got one 200 watt heater and a 30 watt for the salt water mixing can. both do just fine and the temp dose not get out of hand at all. are you sure you did not just turn it up to high? ot did some thing turn it up? i find it to be a very good heater when it has been set to the temp you want. i have not had any probblems with mine. it could be that you just got a bad one. call the makers of the heaters and see what they can do for you.

[WarOrks15]

oh ya i forgot to say that i got both of the heaters from drfosterandsmith.com so they had nothing to do with your miss hap

I find it to be a very good heater when it has been set to the temp you want. i have not had any probblems with mine. it could be that you just got a bad one. call the makers of the heaters and see what they can do for you.

I agree I havent had any problems with the 2 I have been using Either.. Call the Manufacture.. Its not DFS's fault about the tank.. I would agree in them not doing anything about the tank... Offering to replace the heater would be about as far as they should go...

The manfacture of the heater is the one that needs to be talked too..

James

[saberry]

Originally Posted by WarOrks15

ummm i have that same heater on ym salt water tank. my tank has been up for over 6 month with that heter on it and all my fish and corals are doing great. i got one 200 watt heater and a 30 watt for the salt water mixing can. both do just fine and the temp dose not get out of hand at all. are you sure you did not just turn it up to high? ot did some thing turn it up? i find it to be a very good heater when it has been set to the temp you want. i have not had any probblems with mine. it could be that you just got a bad one. call the makers of the heaters and see what they can do for you.

Warorks15, did yours come with a note like Pain Devine's that said "not for use with saltwater"? That's the part that gets me. Was this note from the manufacturer of the supplier? I would certainly be upset with them for saying it was Ok for SW, if in fact, it was not.

[Atari]

Like I said, heaters stick in the 'on' position quite frequently and it has nothing to do with the retailer, or brand for that matter. Although some brands seem to fair better than others.

It happened to someone I knew and they got in contact with the manufacturer, explained the situation and got some compensation. They usually don't cover livestock losses but are quite sympathetic and may be able to offer you something. This was Visi-therm so I'm not sure how good customer relations are for other brands.

BTW, what's the difference between a FW heater and a SW heater?

[Biggen]

Its a shame what happened to your tank. I have also had a heater stick in the "on" position in the past, however I was lucky enough to catch it in time.

How long have you had the heater? I would be surprised they wouldn't replace it for you for free as long as it has been less than 60 days as that is the warranty they give for electronics.

As far as saltwater causing it, it is a possibility I guess. I could't find a via-aqua on their site, however. Perhaps they removed it?

[dralarms]

I have found with the "covers" for the heaters I have to take the heater out once in a while and clean it or it starts getting warm. I guess it can't read the temp through all that gunk that cllects in the housing.

[WarOrks15]

no mine did not come with a little slip inside saying not for salt water. but the maker of the heater is aquarium systems and right on the box is a pic of a reef tank. and i really cant see why it would work in fw and now sw and it being submersible and if you click on htis link right http://www.aquariumsystems.com/frames1.htm read the top of the page and it says saltwater. then go down a few lines and look it says Visi-Therm® Deluxe aquarium heater. i think you just got a bad heater. i dont thin dfs had any thing to do with it and i dont think that if it had been in a fw tank it would have been any better. just go to there wed site and call them and talk to some one about it. and looking in to the site more i guess they are the makers of MJ PH. Aquarium Systems is also marineland. here is another page of the heater http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_vtherm.asp just call them like i said before. i am sure they can do some thing for you. they might not replace all the fish and the rock but i am sure they can take care of you.

[WarOrks15]

oh and after i posted all this i was reading marineland.com web page about this heater and i found this.

There's a Visi-Therm Deluxe for every aquarium -- freshwater or marine. It's the ultimate in direct-set control, compact durabililty and water-calibrated accuracy. Available in eight models: 25-watt to 300-watt.

right on there page. so it was not the salt water that did it

[saberry]

That's different. In that case, it wouldn't have mattered what the customer service person said. Guess that's just one of the risks we take - like tanks busting open. It's unfortunate but accidents happen. :|

[divemasterjim]

Im sorry for your loss that sucks but ummm, its always easier to blame someone else for your own ignorance, if I told you the sky was falling would you even bother to look? I shopp at Dr. foster all the time and am very happy with them no problems yet . But I dont depend on them for answers to my questions thats what I have all you guys for.