Tank purchases

DanielJay · 12/19/2011, 01:01 PM

I have been reading over the forums for a few weeks now trying to learn a few things before taking the plunge to getting a tank. I currently have a 55g freshwater tank and I would like to add around a 120g tank to my basement that is saltwater. I am thinking that this will eventually turn into a reef tank instead of fish only, but to start will be fish only with reef safe fish. I am trying to decide if I should go new tank vs used tank. I have found some on craigslist in my area (South Bend IN) for around half the price of a new tank.

As long as a used tank is clean would you get that tank? If not can anybody recommend a good place to purchase a tank from.

Once I get the tank I will add LED lights, an APEX controller and a few other gadgets and gizmos to the tank. Taking my time to build it right first.

jlyles · 12/19/2011, 02:38 PM

Nothing wrong with buying a used tank if you find what you want and it meets your requirements. I have bought several used tanks over the years and never had a problem. Just check the silicon seals and make sure they look good especially if it has been empty a long time. Also look the glass over for chips and scratches.

1carpenter · 12/19/2011, 03:00 PM

I recently purchased a used 220DD glass tank, i was a little skepticle at first you know not knowing if the seals are gonna hold up and all. I guess it also depends on how long it has sat dry if at all, but the longer it does the more of a chance that the seals have possibly dried out. Mine is holding up good just a couple scratches from the previous owner but all is good so as stated above as long as you find something that works fore you save your money and buy a used tank, spend the savings on some goodies!!!!

ohioreef71 · 12/19/2011, 03:50 PM

I think used all the way if I was buying all my equipment new there would be no way I could get into this hobby. My tank was a bargain craigslist find and water tested it on site. Good idea on taking your time I wish I would of done that. Now I am planning my 2nd tank an upgrade from 55 to 125 and do it right I have been planning for months now and please drill your tank if you can! I hate my overflow box with U tubes. The 125g will have a almost coast to coast overflow with a bean style drain.

DanielJay · 12/19/2011, 04:11 PM

Yeah, I think taking things slow with this is going to be the only way I get a good experience instead of jumping in buying all kinds of things I don't need and have to replace later on spending even more money. I do not want any hang on overflows or anything hanging off the back. In tank overflows or drilled is the only way I can think of doing things.

michaelr · 12/19/2011, 06:37 PM

Yeah its definitely ok to buy used tanks. I got my 120 gallon reef tank for only 200 bucks with a stand and hood.

daviesri · 12/19/2011, 07:23 PM

Used tanks are what allow most people in this hobby to be in this hobby. Just make sure it is clean.

uncleof6 · 12/19/2011, 07:53 PM

Nothing at all wrong with buying a used tank. Just be careful, and selective. Examine the seams carefully, while it is dry, and if nothing glaring pops out at you, water test it--before you plunk down the cash. A seam can appear fine dry, but under water pressure, problems may appear. Look for things like a bubble getting bigger, or suddenly appearing under pressure. This would indicate that a panel is moving--perhaps only slightly, but that is all it takes.

12/19/2011, 01:01 PM	#1
DanielJay Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 99	Tank purchases I have been reading over the forums for a few weeks now trying to learn a few things before taking the plunge to getting a tank. I currently have a 55g freshwater tank and I would like to add around a 120g tank to my basement that is saltwater. I am thinking that this will eventually turn into a reef tank instead of fish only, but to start will be fish only with reef safe fish. I am trying to decide if I should go new tank vs used tank. I have found some on craigslist in my area (South Bend IN) for around half the price of a new tank. As long as a used tank is clean would you get that tank? If not can anybody recommend a good place to purchase a tank from. Once I get the tank I will add LED lights, an APEX controller and a few other gadgets and gizmos to the tank. Taking my time to build it right first.

12/19/2011, 02:38 PM	#2
jlyles Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 51	Nothing wrong with buying a used tank if you find what you want and it meets your requirements. I have bought several used tanks over the years and never had a problem. Just check the silicon seals and make sure they look good especially if it has been empty a long time. Also look the glass over for chips and scratches. Last edited by jlyles; 12/19/2011 at 03:03 PM.

12/19/2011, 06:37 PM	#6
michaelr Young Reefer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 507	Yeah its definitely ok to buy used tanks. I got my 120 gallon reef tank for only 200 bucks with a stand and hood. __________________ I wish there was an undo button on reef keeping Current Tank Info: 55 long and 28 gallon biocube

12/19/2011, 07:53 PM	#8
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Nothing at all wrong with buying a used tank. Just be careful, and selective. Examine the seams carefully, while it is dry, and if nothing glaring pops out at you, water test it--before you plunk down the cash. A seam can appear fine dry, but under water pressure, problems may appear. Look for things like a bubble getting bigger, or suddenly appearing under pressure. This would indicate that a panel is moving--perhaps only slightly, but that is all it takes. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

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12/19/2011, 03:00 PM	#3
1carpenter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sterling Heights, MI Posts: 51	I recently purchased a used 220DD glass tank, i was a little skepticle at first you know not knowing if the seals are gonna hold up and all. I guess it also depends on how long it has sat dry if at all, but the longer it does the more of a chance that the seals have possibly dried out. Mine is holding up good just a couple scratches from the previous owner but all is good so as stated above as long as you find something that works fore you save your money and buy a used tank, spend the savings on some goodies!!!!

12/19/2011, 03:50 PM	#4
ohioreef71 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 401	I think used all the way if I was buying all my equipment new there would be no way I could get into this hobby. My tank was a bargain craigslist find and water tested it on site. Good idea on taking your time I wish I would of done that. Now I am planning my 2nd tank an upgrade from 55 to 125 and do it right I have been planning for months now and please drill your tank if you can! I hate my overflow box with U tubes. The 125g will have a almost coast to coast overflow with a bean style drain.

12/19/2011, 04:11 PM	#5
DanielJay Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 99	Yeah, I think taking things slow with this is going to be the only way I get a good experience instead of jumping in buying all kinds of things I don't need and have to replace later on spending even more money. I do not want any hang on overflows or anything hanging off the back. In tank overflows or drilled is the only way I can think of doing things.

12/19/2011, 07:23 PM	#7
daviesri Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 94	Used tanks are what allow most people in this hobby to be in this hobby. Just make sure it is clean.