Shame On You, Tetra!

[Tolak]

Sounds like Tetra may end up printing some new boxes. It is sloppy marketing to have that filter with that tank, no doubt. Would it make a difference in filter performance if Tetra re-rated & repackaged the same filter? The proof is in how the filter runs, not what the box says.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Sounds like Tetra may end up printing some new boxes. It is sloppy marketing to have that filter with that tank, no doubt. Would it make a difference in filter performance if Tetra re-rated & repackaged the same filter? The proof is in how the filter runs, not what the box says.

Yep, the proof is in the pudding, but to actually package that setup when it reads as if the filter isn't big enough for the tank included is just silly.

 

[Fishy friend2]

The sticker that came on the tank clearly said that it came with a PF10

 

[mishmash]

The sticker that came on the tank clearly said that it came with a PF10

Did that sticker also state that the PF10 was rated for a tank smaller than the one in the package ? Because if not, it would be 'reasonable' for a consumer to expect that whatever the filter was called, "PF10", "PF1000" or "Mickey Mouse Filter Number 1", that it would be rated according to the size of the tank included in the package. However you look at it, TETRA have made a booboo. It just ain't on to include a filter in a package that is "rated" for a smaller tank. Regardless of what it actually achieves, the manufacturer have said it is only suitable for a tank smaller than the one it was supplied with. Big Mistake !

 

[TheShrimpGirl]

I purchased a tetra 10 gallon kit and it came with the 10-15 gallon filter instead of the 5-10. It clearly states on the outside of the box exactly what is included in the kit, so if you read it before you purchase, then you know exactly what you're buying.

I'm sure that they test everything before they send it out and that they have field tested this model of filter for this size tank and had no problems with it.That's why they packaged it this way. If they had tested it and had a problem with it, then they would not have sold these kits with that filter.

Personally I feel that you should test out this kit yourself and see if there even is a problem with having this filter in your 15 gallon tank before you go and belly ache to Tetra about it not being suitable. How can you possibly know if it is unsuitable if you won't even at least see if it does work or not?

Come on and have some faith in them for crying out loud!

 

[mishmash]

How can you possibly know if it is unsuitable if you won't even at least see if it does work or not?

Come on and have some faith in them for crying out loud!

Erm, did you miss the part where the manufacturer labelled the product as being suitable for smaller aquariums than the one it was provided ? If a manufacturer says to you "This product is suitable for an aquarium of 5 to 10 gallons and it was supplied with one that was 15 gallons, why should you have to test it to see if it works ? Have you considered what happens if it proves NOT to be suitable after all ? Will they deal with the matter or will they say "tough you have used it" ? Does the customer have to lose fish because the filter is not up to the job before we decide if it is or isn't suitable after your suggested test ? Or should it just be acceptable to go by the rating the manufacturer has applied to the product ?

"Have some faith in them for crying out loud" ? Lets not get emotional ! And as far as having faith in a manufacturer that supplies a filter that by their own labelling/rating is not suitable for the tank they have packaged it with goes, I don't see why anyone should have to accept that.

Of course, you have the luxury of offering faith to them. You got lucky and got a filter that was BETTER than required for the tank you bought didn't you ?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

How can you possibly know if it is unsuitable if you won't even at least see if it does work or not?

Come on and have some faith in them for crying out loud!

Does the customer have to lose fish because the filter is not up to the job before we decide if it is or isn't suitable after your suggested test ? [?

made me chuckle the fish wont die becuase you filter is rated 5 gallons less, in fact the fish, owner and even the milkman will not notice any diffrence at all should you not have looked at box

 

[This Old Spouse]

It just all boils down to improper packaging. The fish, I'm sure, will be fine. The other thing is that most of us oldies on the forum are a bit addicted to overfiltering, so this just twanged a nerve.

 

[mishmash]

How can you possibly know if it is unsuitable if you won't even at least see if it does work or not?

Come on and have some faith in them for crying out loud!

Does the customer have to lose fish because the filter is not up to the job before we decide if it is or isn't suitable after your suggested test ? [?

made me chuckle the fish wont die becuase you filter is rated 5 gallons less, in fact the fish, owner and even the milkman will not notice any diffrence at all should you not have looked at box

LOL, thanks for bringing some humour to a topic that is becoming heated BBA

I guess I am passionate about people getting screwed over by retailers / manufacturers. I just feel that if something is gonna be bundled together then it should all at least LOOK as though its meant to go together. Tetra made a mistake here, and however you look at whether then filter will work or not, its not a good move. They set themselves up for people to be concerned. I just don't get it. WHY put a filter that you claim is only suitable for smaller tanks into the package ? (And WHY did the shrimp girl get one packaged that is meant for tanks BIGGER, lol ?). Surely you see the frustration of it all ? Crikey, its not even my tank,

. I have no reason for really getting on a soap box over it, OTHER than because I believe if you are going to sell something, the contents should at least be suitable. Or SAY they are suitable. The filter could work fine, it probably WILL work fine. Its just why should anyone have to buy the package wondering "is it going to be fine" ? Its the whole "I bought this package but it came with a filter that SAYS its only ok for smaller tanks" thing that really hacks me off here.

One thing though, you said "should you not have looked on the box". 1. Not me, its not my tank. 2. As I already stated, if all it said on the box is "comes with a PF10 filter" with no reference to what that filter can handle other than a model number, it would be reasonable for the consumer to expect whatever the filter is to be suitably rated. People dont look at the box and see whats included and then have to question "Is whats included suitable for the main item", surely ?

Anyway, you all know where I stand on this one. In favour of the plaintiff, LOL. TETRA, sort your stuff out. If you are gonna sell packages, at least have the sense to include stuff that SAYS its suitable. To the OP, best of luck with whatever you choose to do.

I'm gonna have a beer, chill, and work out what #41#### substrate I am going to buy for my Aqua One tank (which incidentally came with an Aquis 750 filter .... now here's a funny story ... the BOX on the filter says "suitable for aquariums of 60L to 150L" MY TANK is 175L. I rang AQ1 and asked about this, and they told me that the details on the box had been printed wrong and it was in fact rated for tanks up to 200L.. Im about to sell it though as I have a Tetratec EX1200).

Oh, and to anyone who has been on the opposing team in favour of the manufacturer, I hope you know that I see debates like this in much the same way Barristers see their battles in court. Nothing personal, and once out of the courtroom and in the bar, everyone's friends again

It just all boils down to improper packaging. The fish, I'm sure, will be fine. The other thing is that most of us oldies on the forum are a bit addicted to overfiltering, so this just twanged a nerve.

Lisa, a total tangent here. What sand are you using in that cory pic in your signature ?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Lisa, a total tangent here. What sand are you using in that cory pic in your signature ?

That's sandblasting sand. Pure white! Too white, IMO. I toned it down since then with some play sand. Much better, I think.

 

[TheShrimpGirl]

I just sent an inquiry message to tetra about the filter. Just got tired of this ridiculous over reaction and took some initiative. I should hear back in 24 hours or so and I'll let you know what they say.

Here's the link to the Contact Us page of Tetra's website if you'd like to ask them yourselves. You can also call them directly if you wish.
Contact Tetra Here!

I agree! The fish won't die and you won't even notice the difference. Especially if you keep up on maintenance of the tank and water changes and don't overstock the tank. I'm sure if you use the filter and test it as I suggested you will find that Tetra didn't do you any harm after all and that the filter and tank are just fine.

 

[creeker]

I wonder if this whole issue is just semantics. I bought a ten gallon Tetra combo and it came with an Aquatech filter rated for a 5-15 gallon tank. Supposedly pumps 90 gallons per hour. I notice in the paperwork that came with it that they also offer a filter that's rated for a 10-20 gallon tank. Maybe they just re-labeled the 5-15 as 5-10 to not have an overlap with the two filters. Maybe they felt they were losing sales on the 10-20 because the people with 15 gal tanks were buying the 5-15. Maybe then they missed that they were putting that filter into their 15 gal combos. I wonder if the current 5-10 is not the very same filter that was 5-15, just in different packaging? If so, it would be adequate for the 15 gal tank. Despite that, I'll bet if you took the time and effort to call Tetra and complain, they might send you the bigger filter, just to keep you happy. I know I would if I worked for a huge company like that. I work for a retail chain, and we would do almost anything to keep a customer.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Their customer service is A1 to be fair so you might get something decent i hope

 

[nanoMama86]

I have been sent a whole new 30-60 after the one I had for 6 years died in a flash-bang-pop kinda way. Tetra assured me that they value their customers, and they want me to keep buying their products. So, a week later, I got the new one, sent the old one back in the same box, they called me and said that maybe I should not scrub quite sooo hard when I clean them, and my new one should run for twice as long as the old one. So nice, and even though the failure was my fault due to overzealous scrubbing, replaced it for free!


Did you buy the kit from a mom and pop or a big chain? I had to boycott a local lfs for selling me used products and mislabeled products. Try a phone call to tetra, they may surprise you!

 

[RobberyinCSharp]

Their customer service is A1 to be fair so you might get something decent i hope

I contacted them 3 days ago and I've yet to hear anything from them