Tunze in trouble?

[MizTanks]

WASHINGTON, Aug 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Lewis Firm PLLC is conducting an investigation into potential violations of consumer protection and false advertising laws by Tunze Aquarientechnik GMBH, a Penzberg, Germany-based manufacturer of aquarium components, and its North American subsidiary, Tunze USA LLC (collectively, “Tunze”). The firm’s investigation centers on misrepresentations regarding the output flow rates produced by certain propeller-based aquarium circulation pumps manufactured by Tunze and sold throughout the United States.

According to a recent study performed by engineers from Penn State University, Tunze’s advertisements and promotional literature drastically overstate the output flow rates produced by at least three of its Turbelle Stream 2 series aquarium pumps. Specifically, the study found that the stated flow rates of Tunze’s 6105, 6205 and 6305 series pumps are exaggerated by 46%, 80% and 120%, respectively. (See http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/7/aafeature.) By contrast, Tunze’s competitors were found to have either understated or accurately reported the flow rates of their propeller pumps. (See http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/7/aafeature_album/figure_14_pump_flowrate.jpg.)

The Lewis Firm PLLC is a Washington, DC law firm with extensive experience in the investigation and prosecution of fraud and consumer fraud claims. The firm specializes in the representation of consumers in product defect matters. If you own a Tunze Turbelle Stream 2 model 6105, 6205 or 6305 aquarium pump and wish to obtain additional information about your rights, please contact The Lewis Firm PLLC by email at info@lewis-firm.com. Please include the model number of your pump, the date of purchase and your state of residence in your correspondence.

Michael P. Lewis
The Lewis Firm PLLC
901 New York Ave., N.W.
Ste. 550
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 630-6257
info@lewis-firm.com

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2010 The Lewis Firm PLLC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is The Lewis Firm PLLC. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We are happy to discuss your particular case.

Contact
The Lewis Firm PLLC
Michael P. Lewis, 202-630-6257
info@lewis-firm.com

[larryandlaura]

Wow not good. However they should run another study!

[MizTanks]

Wow not good. However they should run another study!

They did. That's what the links in the comment are about.

[larryandlaura]

Bummer deal. I heard nothing bit good things about tunze. I will stick with my vortech!

[Rabidgoose]

Of course their is a lawsuit, it is America after all. A standardized method of measure should come from this
though. I have read that some of the Tunze numbers were kind of assumed. :)

[The.Maxi.Man]

Be ready to receive your settlement check!

[rmalone]

Well it doesn't mean they are bad pumps, it just means you can't trust Germans, jk.:)

[RussM]

Lewis Law sounds like a one-man ambulance-chasing bottom-feeder. His web site consists of an "under construction" page.

Why would a *reputable* law firm make a press release that they are merely looking into something - i.e. conducting an investigation? The only answer is to fabricate a case, then troll for "victims" to be plaintiffs.

And so-called the press release clearly states that it is an advertisement.

I truly hope that no Tunze pump owners contact this scumbag...

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I believe the report that found Tunze numbers are low also found that vortec numbers were high... so aren't both companies guilty of false advertising?

Personally I think a lawsuit is ridiculous. Yes, it is unfortunate that the flow numbers from one study suggest that the Tunze numbers are low. But there is no standard for how to test flow rates. Besides, why is a over estimating worse that under estimating?

Tom

[schminksbro]

Because Vortechs are good and Tunze....??....Not so much? :shifty: :jester:
Disclaimer:
(Opinion based purely of the fact that I have Vortechs and not Tunzes although I have a 6015 and if they claim it moves any water at all they are exaggerating)

I believe the report that found Tunze numbers are low also found that vortec numbers were high... so aren't both companies guilty of false advertising?

Personally I think a lawsuit is ridiculous. Yes, it is unfortunate that the flow numbers from one study suggest that the Tunze numbers are low. But there is no standard for how to test flow rates. Besides, why is a over estimating worse that under estimating?

Tom

[rmalone]

Well gee, since you can turn down a vortech or tunze to suit your taste, I would say it's much worse to overstate numbers than to understate numbers. I would much rather companies underestimate/understate any kind of parameter. Theres no way any kind of suit should be brought without quite a bit more testing. But, I suppose none of these companies should state any kind of figures if they are only estimates. They should just make a tank size recommendation (which is completely subjective). I see tons of people recommend 2 x mp40 for 90g tanks, which in my subjective opinion is complete overkill. I run one mp40 and an mp10 in a 180g and sps and everything else are just fine with that flow, but again just a subjective opinion.

[XSiVE]

lawsuit is ridiculous for something like this, the bad publicity will be enough to hurt them a bit. They do make a solid product and people have been very happy with it over the years so there's still something to be said for them.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Well gee, since you can turn down a vortech or tunze to suit your taste, I would say it's much worse to overstate numbers than to understate numbers. I would much rather companies underestimate/understate any kind of parameter. Theres no way any kind of suit should be brought without quite a bit more testing. But, I suppose none of these companies should state any kind of figures if they are only estimates. They should just make a tank size recommendation (which is completely subjective). I see tons of people recommend 2 x mp40 for 90g tanks, which in my subjective opinion is complete overkill. I run one mp40 and an mp10 in a 180g and sps and everything else are just fine with that flow, but again just a subjective opinion.

I agree. But I recall quite a few people who bought an MP20 or 40 only to discover it was too much for their tank. So, they sold the bigger pump for a loss and then had to buy a smaller unit. That could be construed as false advertising and double dipping on the part of vortech. If that happened to me I'd be Pi$$ed. Also there are Tunze models that can be turned down.

I'm really not trying to say anything bad about vortech. Just that inaccurate numbers are inaccurate numbers.

In the spirit of full disclosure... I have only owned Tunze pumps (both purchased used) and would not shy away from buyinh a vortech (if I could afford one :redneck:).

Tom

[rmalone]

Wait a minute, you can turn a vortech down as far as you want. An mp40 can run as low as mp10 if you want it to. I have an mp10, only trouble with the mp10 in a large tank is that the magnets are just barely capable of dealing with a 180g glass thickness. The mp40, will move a crap ton of water, but only if you want it to. I'm curious as to who is buying the mp60? Overall, given the adjustment range of vortechs, money is the only good reason not to own one.

I'm guessing most people that bought an mp40 for a 40g breeder, got mad when they realized their pump cost more than all their other hardware put together.

[MizTanks]

and me with just 2 lil Korilia 250's...I'm ashamed :silly:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

and me with just 2 lil Korilia 250's...I'm ashamed :silly:

Don't sweat it. I have a Koralia that has been bulletproof (minus the broken ceramic impeller shaft, which hydor replaced with a steel one at no charge). My only beef with it is the inability to point it in any direction.

Tom

[RussM]

But I recall quite a few people who bought an MP20 or 40 only to discover it was too much for their tank. So, they sold the bigger pump for a loss and then had to buy a smaller unit. That could be construed as false advertising and double dipping on the part of vortech.Could be construed as such, yes, but not justifiably so I think. Frankly, such scenarios are IMO more likely cases of the combination of lack of due diligence (research) on the buyers part and the all-too-common American affliction/compulsion with correlating bigger/faster/more powerful as always being better.

[rmalone]

I agree, though with fish tanks, guns, trucks, boats, bank accounts, and a couple dozen other things, bigger, faster, and more powerful really IS better. Obviously I'm joking, I highly doubt the vortechs are underrated by a huge margin (that which would render them useless in anything over 40g). Ive had an mp10 in a 12g nano and it was great. Again, when the vortechs came out people with small, sub 30g tanks, were putting $400 pumps in $200 tanks, cranking them to full and wondering why water was leaving the tank. Hence the reason there are now mp20s and mp10s. Apparently, some people thought the mp40 was not enough, hence the mp60.

Forever and always people have been clamoring for bigger, faster more powerful pumps and vortech gave it to them. Now they are guilty of being too powerful? Really? Just turn the darn thing down a little and you wont sand blast the inside of your tank. Given the adjustability, bigger is WAY better than smaller in this instance, particularly if a certain bigness has been claimed and not delivered on.

[Rabidgoose]

Alas, I fear the worst. I have confronted my Tunzes' about this quandary, told them that I have watched them for years make the polyps dance in my tank and laughed at the tangs struggles to swim directly across the flow in an effort to get from here to there. I informed them of the accusations that have been leveled against them and I asked point blank, how are you giving the illusion of water movement? Is it with some hidden mirrors? Are the other members of the tank in cahoots with you? I waited....and waited.....no answer, and then....cavitation..a burst of bubbles and the pump was done. Only to start again as if to say, shut your pie hole, this is what I do and I've done it for you for a lot of years. You've never had to take me to the shop, i've never been any trouble. But you get rabbit ears when you hear a bunch of haters! Wow...my bad...their's a guy a few posts south that has one of your cousins and claims he can't get it to work at all. I'll ask Andy and maybe he will sell it to me for the price of transportation seeing as how it doesn't do anything. $20 should do it

chuck

[schminksbro]

Very nice Chuck! I would feel guilty selling it to you though. The weakest prop pump I have ever encountered.

Alas, I fear the worst. I have confronted my Tunzes' about this quandary, told them that I have watched them for years make the polyps dance in my tank and laughed at the tangs struggles to swim directly across the flow in an effort to get from here to there. I informed them of the accusations that have been leveled against them and I asked point blank, how are you giving the illusion of water movement? Is it with some hidden mirrors? Are the other members of the tank in cahoots with you? I waited....and waited.....no answer, and then....cavitation..a burst of bubbles and the pump was done. Only to start again as if to say, shut your pie hole, this is what I do and I've done it for you for a lot of years. You've never had to take me to the shop, i've never been any trouble. But you get rabbit ears when you hear a bunch of haters! Wow...my bad...their's a guy a few posts south that has one of your cousins and claims he can't get it to work at all. I'll ask Andy and maybe he will sell it to me for the price of transportation seeing as how it doesn't do anything. $20 should do it

chuck

[Mani]

Tunze makes a great product,my wavebox has been running flawless for years.