Aquarium equipment price vs quality conversation

[BARNAKEWLZ]

Ok I want to kick this off. Over the last couple years I have setup multiple tanks with a ton of different equipment. Testing and comparing the to each other. And I have to say. Cheap pumps and equipment have come along way. I have not had any of them break down. Super easy to setup and just did its job. Now with that, I will say that the build quality does seem to be the cheap part compared to the top notch stuff that I have. But all and all. It’s nice to see quality going up! Does anyone else notice that?

 

[blaxsun]

The Chinese are definitely getting better at copying stuff. But it's still generally less reliable...

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

The Chinese are definitely getting better at copying stuff. But it's still generally less reliable...

Very true! That’s what started this thought for me. The stuff that supposed to be the reliable is where I have had the most issues. Weather it’s a controller/app/or just the pumps themselves. And the cheap stuff just keeps chugging along

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I think a lot of it depends on the maintenance habits of the Reefer too. Cleaning pumps goes a long way in increasing their lifespan. But generally, yes, I think some things are better than they were 5-10 years ago.

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

I think a lot of it depends on the maintenance habits of the Reefer too. Cleaning pumps goes a long way in increasing their lifespan. But generally, yes, I think some things are better than they were 5-10 years ago.

That’s very true too. And I do clean everything at least a couple times a year. And that helps a ton. Some of thes return pumps have been alive for 7 or 8 years

 

[UtahReefer]

Everyone has nailed it.... Maintenance. I've always had the intention to do it but inevitably I don't remember the exact time it's needed. My solution was the app I use to track my tank (Aquarimate). I set the maintenance interval and create tasks for maintaining my equipment. When it's due I get a task for that day. I use it for everything, from pumps and powerhead to my RODI system. For my little brain it works. In addition, I set power alarms on my Apex so if something starts pulling at levels out of the norm I get a notification.

 

[Doctorgori]

That cheap Chinese stuff off of Amazon has its place (under certain circumstances)…. I accept the fact some of the cheapo pumps wont last long. Sometimes its just math: do I buy and replace 4 $50 over the next 4 yrs or do I buy 1ea $200 pump that “might” last 4yrs?

 

[ca1ore]

Even cheap equipment will last two years. See where you are after 5 .... or 10.