Reef fanatic units have horrible, terrible, nasty QC problem

[AlexKilpatrick]

I got one of these from the group buy, and picked it up this afternoon. It reads water that is about 65 degrees as 110 degrees. When I try to calibrate it, it calibrates the pH 7 solution to pH 4.

Anyone else having problems? Who can we contact about getting a refund?

[DeletedAccount]

Try soaking it OVERNIGHT in RO/DI water before any more use. Then try again.

[AlexKilpatrick]

Well, I don't expect that will help with the temperature probe, but I will give it a shot.

[Polkster13]

Alex,

I bought two of them and am not happy with either of them. One thing I found out was if you power if off and back on again, you have to recalibrate the PH. I don't have any calibration fluids left, so one of them is reading PH 1.9 and then temp is 1.5 degrees off (earlier it was off by more than 4 degress - but now it seems to have settled in - will continue to monitor this).

The other unit said my tank temp was 206 degrees F this morning with the lights off. My Purple Tang and corals don't seem to mind this high of a temp. My hydrometer says it is 82 degrees F. The PH ranges from 7.8 to 8.1 depending on if the lights are on or off. Not sure if it is actually swinging that much for real or if the lights (T-5 retro kits from Greg) are adversely effecting them.

Am planning on calling the company this afternoon when I get home to see if they will do anything about these two units.

[Polkster13]

Oh, and I soaked mine in RO/DI water for two days before using. Had hoped that after having them in my tanks for over 3 days, that they would have settled out by now. No such luck.

Will check them again tonight and post results.

[AlexKilpatrick]

Yeah. mine is completely flaky as well. It won't calibrate above about 4, and it is consistently reading anywhere from 10-20 degrees high. I also noticed that if I wiggle the ph probe wire, the pH jumps about 2 points back and forth.

When you call them, ask about the return policy for me as well. I would like to have one of these that worked. I was planning on taping it behind the smoked glass on my cabinet, so I could easily check the temp.

[DeletedAccount]

I am sorry that these did not work for you.

[Shark_Bait]

Too bad these are not working right fro you guys, the one I got is fine. I opened the box did the calibration and put it in the tank. No problems. Seems the Quality assurance is missing....

[btacker]

Yeah, my temperature went to 140 one day, but I left it alone and now it seems to all be working fine.

Contact them. They have a warranty. Chris said that they worked out his issues.

If you need proof of purchase, let me know. I hate that people are having problems. I hope we can get them worked out.

[Polkster13]

Mine still says 213 degrees after three days. I did try and contact them. Called three times and got no answer. Left a message for them to contact me and I still have not heard back from them. I will call and leave another message for them today.

[btacker]

Here is a message from Joe at Reef Fanatic.



For those that are having problem with the probe they can mail it back
to us for replacement. There's no need to send the base unit back.


There is a new version of the probe. The old probe that you have is also a good probe. However, the manufacture that makes the probe just cannot follow our instruction on the quality control. The problem with the pH probe is due to poor QC and bad glue from the manufacture, not the quality of the component used.

I cannot stop people from saying what they want to say when they are
not happy. The only thing I can do is try to correct the problem as
quickly as humanly possible. It's not possible for me to correct this problem overnight.

Our mailing address is

Reef Fanatic
910 West 10th Street
Azusa, CA 91702


Thanks,

Joe
reef@reeffanatic.com

I am encouraged by Joe's willingness to correct the problem, and believe that all you need to do is return the probe if you are having problems. Shipping is only like $2.

Also, if you are not happy and want to part with your probe, let me know. There were several people who wanted to buy one. I can respond to them and see if they are interested.

I hope this helps,

Bryan

[RobertG]

I guess I need to plug mine in. I am sure it will be worked out, just will take time.

[Polkster13]

I will be mailing mine back and report on the replacements. I was just very suprized that both of the units I received had problems. Hopefully the replacement probes will fix the problem.

[wkopplin]

Can we not use such derogatory language in the thread titles please. This is an inappropriate title.

[AlexKilpatrick]

Well, "suck" may not be the most PC expression, but when 3 (or more) units fail out of our small group buy, it is at least an accurate statement.


The old probe that you have is also a good probe. However, the manufacture that makes the probe just cannot follow our instruction on the quality control. The problem with the pH probe is due to poor QC and bad glue from the manufacture, not the quality of the component used.

That is a stretch of the word "good." :angry

Alex

[AlexKilpatrick]

Well, "suck" may not be the most PC expression, but when 3 (or more) units fail out of our small group buy, it is at least an accurate statement.


The old probe that you have is also a good probe. However, the manufacture that makes the probe just cannot follow our instruction on the quality control. The problem with the pH probe is due to poor QC and bad glue from the manufacture, not the quality of the component used.

That is a stretch of the word "good." :angry

Alex

[AlexKilpatrick]

Well, "suck" may not be the most PC expression, but when 3 (or more) units fail out of our small group buy, it is at least an accurate statement.


The old probe that you have is also a good probe. However, the manufacture that makes the probe just cannot follow our instruction on the quality control. The problem with the pH probe is due to poor QC and bad glue from the manufacture, not the quality of the component used.

That is a stretch of the word "good." :angry

Alex

[wkopplin]

All that I am asking is that the word "suck" be removed from the title and replaced with something like "I am not pleased with my Reef Fanatics unit". I agree that it might be accurate, but we do not want titles such as that posted. Who moderates this section?

[wkopplin]

Thank you!

[wkopplin]

Thank you!

[captexas]

Bashing someone or a company without making any attempt to correct the issue with the product or company beforehand is not appropriate. While posting of negative experiences with products or companies is welcome, we hope you and the other party involved have done everything possible to rectify the situation before posting. "Bashing" the company or product without doing so is not fair to the other party involved. It also makes it difficult for this club to keep our sponsors.

[RobertG]

Alex I am sorry to here this, I hooked mine up with no problems. I am sure that you could return them if you dont want it. The same goes for the rest of the units having problems. The source will for sure swap them out. Let me know what happens. I can talk to them if needed.