buy new or established reef Aquarium

JROCHA23 · 01/02/2019, 10:14 PM

Hello I am pretty new to the hobby. I did have a biocube for about 6 mo so have a small amount of knowledge. I am looking to buy a REDSEA 170E Max AIO but I did see a REDSEA 260 E max on CL for close to same price but it is well established. My question is being pretty new should I start tank from scratch and start slow and learn as I go or should I jump in to established tank and hope I can learn quick enough to keep everything healthy? I like the thought of starting new but to get a 260e for price of 170E may be worth the risk to get into a bigger tank even know it is used. all thoughts appreciated.

lolgranny · 01/02/2019, 10:30 PM

If I was you I’d start new being and having little knowledge. Buying a established one will be a lot of work in the move alone. Making new water / transferring everything to the new location.

You can definitely buy a used tank and save some $ there. You can buy some old rock and clean it as well... there are endless options

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lapin · 01/03/2019, 08:04 AM

If you are new a brand new tank would be a lot easier as stated above.
Now if you are a person that likes to work under pressure a used set up with livestock can be done with a lot of planning.
I would try to ask yourself why is this person selling the tank and what shape is it in. You will be getting all their problems and those problems will have to be death with.
Example: Does it have dirty sand, and most tanks do ? If so you will need to rinse it a lot or buy new.

Uncle99 · 01/03/2019, 08:58 AM

With an established tank, things are going to happen real fast.
Starting fresh will give you some room.

JROCHA23 · 01/03/2019, 10:01 AM

Thanks all for reply. That is kinda what I was thinking is best for me to start new. I think I would be biting off more then I can chew. I will just buy the RedSea 170 w Max new and start fresh. I think 45 gallon should be a good starter size as opposed to 60 gallon anyway. Some time bigger is not always better

lolgranny · 01/03/2019, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JROCHA23

Thanks all for reply. That is kinda what I was thinking is best for me to start new. I think I would be biting off more then I can chew. I will just buy the RedSea 170 w Max new and start fresh. I think 45 gallon should be a good starter size as opposed to 60 gallon anyway. Some time bigger is not always better

60>45, in this case. Haha! Even if you’re new I’d go with the larger size personally.

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JROCHA23 · 01/03/2019, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolgranny

60>45, in this case. Haha! Even if you’re new I’d go with the larger size personally.

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I hear Ya. The 69 gallon is about $500 more and used then a new 45 gallon. With all the Live stock I could justify going over my budget but if i am going to start fresh I am not sure it is worth for me to spend the extra $500 to move up
the extra 24 gallons. I realize i could sale the live stock and gain some money back I just don't think I want to take the chance of loosing any in a move or not being able to sell live stock in a timely manner.

lolgranny · 01/03/2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JROCHA23

I hear Ya. The 69 gallon is about $500 more and used then a new 45 gallon. With all the Live stock I could justify going over my budget but if i am going to start fresh I am not sure it is worth for me to spend the extra $500 to move up

the extra 24 gallons. I realize i could sale the live stock and gain some money back I just don't think I want to take the chance of loosing any in a move or not being able to sell live stock in a timely manner.

Have you checked craigslist? Letgo or similar?

I’d def not go the route of the larger if it’s that stocked one, I’m with you there. But around me you can find nice 90gallons with overflows/ stand/canopy for $400

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marzvt · 01/10/2019, 02:06 PM

I would go for the bigger tank. I started with all used stuff. most I replaced in time that that's fine because its spread out and the real effort is moving tanks. In my opinion, any tank you get will soon seem to small. so go as big as you can to start. just figure out a solid water change procedure that doesn't involve buckets.

01/02/2019, 10:14 PM	#1
JROCHA23 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 8	buy new or established reef Aquarium Hello I am pretty new to the hobby. I did have a biocube for about 6 mo so have a small amount of knowledge. I am looking to buy a REDSEA 170E Max AIO but I did see a REDSEA 260 E max on CL for close to same price but it is well established. My question is being pretty new should I start tank from scratch and start slow and learn as I go or should I jump in to established tank and hope I can learn quick enough to keep everything healthy? I like the thought of starting new but to get a 260e for price of 170E may be worth the risk to get into a bigger tank even know it is used. all thoughts appreciated.

01/02/2019, 10:30 PM	#2
lolgranny The DQ King Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago (McHenry) Posts: 2,414	If I was you I’d start new being and having little knowledge. Buying a established one will be a lot of work in the move alone. Making new water / transferring everything to the new location. You can definitely buy a used tank and save some $ there. You can buy some old rock and clean it as well... there are endless options Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ -Dave Current Tank Info: 40g RIP. 300g system, 180g display.

01/03/2019, 08:04 AM	#3
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	If you are new a brand new tank would be a lot easier as stated above. Now if you are a person that likes to work under pressure a used set up with livestock can be done with a lot of planning. I would try to ask yourself why is this person selling the tank and what shape is it in. You will be getting all their problems and those problems will have to be death with. Example: Does it have dirty sand, and most tanks do ? If so you will need to rinse it a lot or buy new. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

01/03/2019, 08:58 AM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	With an established tank, things are going to happen real fast. Starting fresh will give you some room.

01/03/2019, 10:01 AM	#5
JROCHA23 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 8	Thanks all for reply. That is kinda what I was thinking is best for me to start new. I think I would be biting off more then I can chew. I will just buy the RedSea 170 w Max new and start fresh. I think 45 gallon should be a good starter size as opposed to 60 gallon anyway. Some time bigger is not always better

01/10/2019, 02:06 PM	#9
marzvt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Vermont Posts: 52	I would go for the bigger tank. I started with all used stuff. most I replaced in time that that's fine because its spread out and the real effort is moving tanks. In my opinion, any tank you get will soon seem to small. so go as big as you can to start. just figure out a solid water change procedure that doesn't involve buckets.