Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported March 1, 2016
United Pet Group Recalls Top Fin Power Filters for Aquariums Due to Shock Hazard; Sold Exclusively at PetSmart
A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo. recalled This recall involves five models of Top Fin Power Filters. The models included in this re… — a moderate-severity action.
United Pet Group Recalls Top Fin Power Filters for Aquariums Due to Shock Hazard; Sold Ex… was recalled by United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo. in March 1, 2016. Reason: A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to c…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled filters, unplug them from the power …. Verify recall #16111 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall — A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to c….
- Moderate
- severity level
- March 1, 2016
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #16111 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #16111) was formally reported on March 1, 2016. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 155,000 (in addition, about 3,300 filters were sold in Canada).
The documented reason for this recall is: A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled filters, unplug them from the power supply, remove from the aquarium, and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement power filter. — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Medical Devices recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category — 40,409 medical devices recalls on record
Where this recall sits in the database
Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger — we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
About 155,000 (in addition, about 3,300 filters were sold in Canada)
Related Recalls
6
0 from same agency
Product description
This recall involves five models of Top Fin Power Filters. The models included in this recall are Top Fin Power Filters 10, 20, 30, 40 and 75. The filters are black with a trapezoid shaped top. The words "TOP FIN" are molded into the top of the filter. The filters were also sold as part of Top Fin 5.5- and 10-gallon LED aquarium kits.
Reason for recall
A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
Remedy — what to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled filters, unplug them from the power supply, remove from the aquarium, and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement power filter.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 16111 |
| Date reported | March 1, 2016 |
| Date initiated | March 1, 2016 |
| Recalling firm | United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo. |
| Affected scope | About 155,000 (in addition, about 3,300 filters were sold in Canada) |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled filters, unplug them from the power supply, remove from the aquarium, and co…
- Check the recall number (16111) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
This recall involves five models of Top Fin Power Filters. The models included in this recall are Top Fin Power Filters 10, 20, 30, 40 and 75. The filters are black with a trapezoid shaped top. The words "TOP FIN" are molded into the top of the filter. The filters were also sold as part of Top Fin 5.5- and 10-gallon LED aquarium kits.. Recalled by United Pet Group, of Earth City, Mo.. Units affected: About 155,000 (in addition, about 3,300 filters were sold in Canada).
Why was this product recalled? ▼
A conductor on the pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled filters, unplug them from the power supply, remove from the aquarium, and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement power filter.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on March 1, 2016. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 16111.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (16111) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Continue exploring
Keep tracking product safety across the federal recall archive.
Recall Checker
Search the full archive by product name, brand, or recall number across every agency.
Check a product →
CPSC recalls
Every recall issued by CPSC, newest first.
Browse the feed →
RecallRadar
Live feed of the latest recalls across the FDA, CPSC and NHTSA — filter by agency and severity.
View the live feed →
Rankings
The largest recalls by units affected and the most-recalled product categories.
See the rankings →
Browse by category
Find recalls by product type to spot recurring defect patterns.
All categories →
What to do next
A step-by-step guide to refunds, repairs, and returns after a recall.
Read the guide →
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
FDA Devices Moderate
GE HealthCare TRADE IN CARESCAPE TELEMETRY SERVER ARK-2250L - NORTH AMERICA, REF #5697603-902, Product Code KSA; used i…
GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Inc · 2026-06-03
FDA Devices Critical
Medline kits containing Huons Co. Bupivacaine HCL in Dextrose Injection, USP, labeled as: 1) BLOCK TRAY, Medline Kit…
Medline Industries, LP · 2026-06-03
FDA Devices Critical
Medline kits containing Huons Co. Bupivacaine HCL in Dextrose Injection, USP, labeled as: 1) SPINAL BLOCK TRAY, Med…
Medline Industries, LP · 2026-06-03
FDA Devices Critical
Automated Impella Controller (AIC) with the below product descriptions and corresponding Product Codes. 1. Impella C…
Abiomed, Inc. · 2026-06-03
FDA Devices Moderate
GE HealthCare ApexPro v6.0 eDelivery Software, REF #5700026, Product Code SUV; used in conjunction wtih ApexPro CARESCA…
GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Inc · 2026-06-03
Compare this recall with GE HealthCare TRADE IN CARESCAPE TELEMETRY SERVER ARK-2250L… →
Data Sources
Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: CPSC, reported March 1, 2016.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.