Shocker: cheap chinese-made pumps (not from Coralvue) get recalled (Updated 11/23)
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The High Seas Prop Pump aka Sun Sun pump from Coralvue can’t decide whether it is aping a Hydor Korallia, Tunze Nano Stream or both. It’s no surprise then that the cheaply made Chinese product has been recalled in Canada due to a couple reports of electrocution. We first wrote about the High Seas Prop pump at the Midwest Frag Fest where they sported some ridiculously cheap retail pricing. In less than six months, the pumps have caused enough problems to be recalled in Canada and if problems arise in the US we could see an American recall as well.
If you’ve recently purchased some ridiculously cheap propeller style water pump that came in barely labeled white boxes, we suggest you give the pumps a very thorough examination and maybe pull out the old voltmeter to see if they are already leaking electrons into your tank. We spoke with an undercover EcoTech Marine operative who foresaw the potential problems with the Coralvue pump when they were displayed at MACNA and it was suggested that they might be better re purposed as rotoscopic binoculars.
update: Apparently, the pumps being recalled are the SunSun pumps, which are different from the High Seas Prop pump by CoralVue although they look identical and use the same model numbering convention. If you purchased your pump from a reputable dealer with a CoralVue label, you should be fine. If you purchased a SunSun pump from eBay or a funky little Asian market, you might give them a once over to find out which pump you actually have.
Ouch. Literally. And I think I have that same Abercomribe shirt the “undercover agent” is wearing.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:01 am
This highlights exacty why we do not touch anything out of China that is 110V unless it comes not only with a CSA or UL stamp but also a certificate of authentisity to match.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Wow, too bad, I mean seeing a couple a of koralia knockoffs glued together looks so nice in a tank too!
November 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I’m getting audited by UL next three business days. Reminds us all why it is important…
November 20th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Better the UL than the IRS
November 20th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Makes you look like No. 5 from “Short Circuit”…Number 5 is aliveeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!
November 20th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I think its about time retail stores started boycotting products that do not carry “genuine” CE UL or CSA certification, on the client side, it is basic ethics, and on the liability side, you would not have proved due dilegence if someone got fried!
If you can prove you have taken every possible step to make sure a product on your shelf has been safety tested it is then very hard to prove negligent liability. If you carry products that do not carry this (and this goes for aquatic controllers too by the way) your backside aint covered!
My insurance company asks each year whether all products sold have been tested by an approved authority, if I sell something that has not been and it goes off the wall, then I am on a fast plane back to the UK and changing my name to Sandra. But as i am quite happy living in the boonies of Canada I would rather make sure my backside has ample coverage.
It worries the hell out of me the lights I see coming in. The manufacturers are happy to tell you “the ballast is UL approved so you are covered” ER no actually, the whole lamp as a structure has to be tested. But bit of a grey area this one. If the unit goes up in smoke and it was proved to be the ballast, you could argue then your covered, however the counter claim would be, how can you prove that the other components did not cause the ballast to go skywards?
The chinese pump we have recently brought in – First thing I insisted on was the CSA certificate.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 am
This is what a certificate looks like
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/CSA-1.jpg
Hope this info is of some help.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
This is from Coral Vue – “These pumps are not made by Sun-Sun! We have sold thousands of these pumps and have never had one compliant or report of shock!” Based on Coral Vue’s response we are still carrying the Coral Vue High Seas pump.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
wahaha, that is one funny comment by them since they even have similar product code from A to B
http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/04/27/coralvue-high-seas-prop-wave-pumps-appearance/
November 26th, 2009 at 6:34 pm