This was my first UV sterilizer to ever install on a tank, so I thought I wouldn't mess around and get a good name with a reputation for quality. So I bought the Eheim Reeflex UV500.
While thousands of fish keepers use their canister filters based on their overall dependability, sadly the same cannot be said of their UV sterilizers in my personal experience.
Main reason for getting the unit was protection from bacterial/viral pathogens and the like, as algae and water clarity weren't issues. So I was running the unit at the manufacturer's suggested flow rate of 400 l/hr (108 g/hr) -- they recommend 800 l/hr for algae control.
But after 10 days (and running about 20 hr. a day, not 24/7) I noticed the lamp had went out (it's rated for about 8,000 hr). I'm not sure but it could have been out for a day or two. I pulled the lamp out and it was clearly blown.
I contacted the shop I bought it from and they kindly agreed to send me a replacement lamp (and I bought a 2nd one as back-up).
Neither light worked, which of course means the unit itself blew out -- very disappointing for any unit, let alone a $160 one.
I sent several emails to Eheim's Customer Service in Germany regarding the issue -- other than a "We'll get back to you" response, I haven't heard a word back since, despite my follow-ups -- totally lame for a company of their supposed reputation.
Besides chance of losing your hard-earned mullah, I would beware of this product: when I pulled out the original lamp there was some grey sludge coming out of the base of the lamp and going into the connecting area and water flow.
I don't know what that sludge was, nor if other UV sterilizers get the same, but I can't see it being healthy for fish -- if my Kamfa starts growing a 2nd kok lol I'll be lawerying up with Erin Bockovich's attorney.
Could have just been bad luck, but esp. given total lack of customer service from Eheim Corp. HQ I simply can't trust their products and would never buy nor recommend another.
While thousands of fish keepers use their canister filters based on their overall dependability, sadly the same cannot be said of their UV sterilizers in my personal experience.
Main reason for getting the unit was protection from bacterial/viral pathogens and the like, as algae and water clarity weren't issues. So I was running the unit at the manufacturer's suggested flow rate of 400 l/hr (108 g/hr) -- they recommend 800 l/hr for algae control.
But after 10 days (and running about 20 hr. a day, not 24/7) I noticed the lamp had went out (it's rated for about 8,000 hr). I'm not sure but it could have been out for a day or two. I pulled the lamp out and it was clearly blown.
I contacted the shop I bought it from and they kindly agreed to send me a replacement lamp (and I bought a 2nd one as back-up).
Neither light worked, which of course means the unit itself blew out -- very disappointing for any unit, let alone a $160 one.
I sent several emails to Eheim's Customer Service in Germany regarding the issue -- other than a "We'll get back to you" response, I haven't heard a word back since, despite my follow-ups -- totally lame for a company of their supposed reputation.
Besides chance of losing your hard-earned mullah, I would beware of this product: when I pulled out the original lamp there was some grey sludge coming out of the base of the lamp and going into the connecting area and water flow.
I don't know what that sludge was, nor if other UV sterilizers get the same, but I can't see it being healthy for fish -- if my Kamfa starts growing a 2nd kok lol I'll be lawerying up with Erin Bockovich's attorney.
Could have just been bad luck, but esp. given total lack of customer service from Eheim Corp. HQ I simply can't trust their products and would never buy nor recommend another.
