How Long Has Your Equipment Lasted?

[GloriaDTavares]

Howdy,

The members of this site have a huge experience with equipment. Many of us have had fish tanks for years, some for decades. Low-quality sucks, we want equipment that lasts. When we set up a tank, we're in it for the long run!

What are your favorite brands, what can you rely on? I am not asking for the newest gadget you bought, not for the set-up with the fanciest extras. I also don't want to know what sucks. I want to hear from those of you who have been running one piece of equipment for at least 3 years and would purchase it again if it ever broke (however, hoping it will last for many more years).

Here is mine:

Eheim 2211, run-time 16 years, still counting

Bring it on!
HarleyK


Ps
I know this question might inspire a brand war. But I am counting on your cooperation in keeping this a positive thread. Please only state positive experiences and refrain from negative comments on other member's experiences. Thank you

[moondoggy4]

Welcome to Reef Central


Ehiem 2013, bought back in 1985.
Mag 7 over 10 years old.

[grigsy]

My Hamilton metal halide ballasts are 10+ years old and still running great.

[ca1ore]

The reality is that most people are actually not in the hobby for the long run, and don't ever run a piece of equipment into the ground - low quality or not! I also would tend to not look at 3 years as much of an achievement. Having said that, my longevity champs are:

1. An Iwaki pump that I ran continuously from about 1991 until 2008! That's 17 years folks. Let's see on of those DC pumps pull that kind of duty.
2. MTC ProCal reactor, bought in about 2002
3. Panworld pump bought also in 2002
4. MTC HSA1000 skimmer, run from 1997 until 2008
5. Ran a DuplaSun metal halide fixture from 1988 until 2008 - though 20 years, I put it fifth because while I used the guts for that long, the fixture rusted out after 15 years.

[MrSandman]

Cole Parmer Masterflex peristaltic dosing pump. Been running as the ATO pump on my systems since 2003.

I haven't really kept anything else for nearly as long because technologies change and I'm a reefer junkie.

[billdogg]

I have several eheim canister filters that I got used about 1985. Although no longer in regular use, they are as good today as they were then.

An eheim 1262 that I got about the same time that had been used as the circulation pump in my LFS's feeder goldfish tank for an unknown number of years. I rinsed it off and put it to use. It's had an impeller change since then, and an occasional cleaning - otherwise it seems unkillable.

Until last summer's upgrade from a 60g to a 120g, my newest tank was from 1992. The 120 that I use as the refugium for my 150DT was, wait for it, the feeder goldfish tank that the 1262 came from, so at least mid 80's for it also.

Icecap 660's from ~1990 still going strong.

I'm sure there is other stuff as well - I use the same theory in my woodshop and garage - buy the very best you can once, or buy cheap crap again and again.

[billsreef]

It's a creative spammer

[Av8bluewater]

My Vortech MP40s are I think about 4-5 years old. I got them used... been running 8 months myself.

[shifty51008]

Tunze 6000's are 9 years old running perfect still

[Silly clownfish]

On my 30 g reef, soon to be QT for new 75 g

Since 1998 (16 years):
Ebo-jager heater, second one on freshwater tank about 12 years
CPR BakPak2 skimmer (have replaced about 3 times)
Ice Cap ballast

Magum 350 canister filter - probably used 6-8 years continuous, still use sporadically for vacuuming gravel

Marineland Emperor 400(?) hob filter (biowheels removed) probably 10 years
2 marineland penguin 110 hob filters on freshwater, And salt QT 8-10 years

The 75 is getting all new goodies. Will be interesting to see if I need to pull anything out of retirement in the coming years to address an emergency.

Kim

[pmrossetti]

I had MagDrive 9.5 for 7 years.
EuroReef skimmers the same.
Hamilton MH/VHO fixture the same.

Were all still working until I had to take down the tanks