Need Advice: What to look for when buying tank off Craiglist?

Ryand63 · 09/10/2012, 12:09 PM

So I would like to think I could spot major flaws and what not in tanks and stands lol but what would you all say is important or not thought of even, when considering a craiglist purchase. I bought my last tank (29) off there but it was basically brand new so it was easy. Any suggestions/secrets/personal experiences???

schatzi · 09/10/2012, 12:43 PM

If you can see it holding water that's a great start. And unless they have copper sensitive creatures in it, and they are alive, you probably have to take their word if they've ever used copper or not. Otherwise if you don't see big cracks, or missing or ripped silicone it's probably fine.

canesfan44 · 09/10/2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzi

If you can see it holding water that's a great start. And unless they have copper sensitive creatures in it, and they are alive, you probably have to take their word if they've ever used copper or not. Otherwise if you don't see big cracks, or missing or ripped silicone it's probably fine.

I'd basically say the same thing.

Without water in the tank, it can be tough to spot any potential leaks or problems with the silicone.

Copper is another thing that can be a major problem, but if the tank is up and running and has inverts in it, then copper shouldn't be a problem. I would try to avoid tanks that have been used for freshwater setups because of the potential copper and other metals.

Good idea for a thread. I've been in the hobby for close to 20 years and threads like this are good for everyone

Digitalelectric · 09/10/2012, 01:28 PM

Politely request they fill it up in the driveway. If they decline, then walk. Filling it up will tell if it A. Holds water B. if they were hiding scratches. Scratches show 1000times more when filled up.

Reeferz412 · 09/10/2012, 01:51 PM

Check the silicone on the tank to see if its looks cracked or chipped off. And as said, request a water holding test. I have sold about 20 tanks on CL and only 2 people have asked, but I do it for them. I am glad I am a people person. Filling up a 75 gallon tank takes forever.

Ryand63 · 09/10/2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reeferz412

Check the silicone on the tank to see if its looks cracked or chipped off. And as said, request a water holding test. I have sold about 20 tanks on CL and only 2 people have asked, but I do it for them. I am glad I am a people person. Filling up a 75 gallon tank takes forever.

I bet! I'm looking at 40B's and 55's. I'm sure people won't be too happy for the water test but we'll see! Any thing else guys? Anything particular to look for in the stands or anything not ordinary?

canesfan44 · 09/10/2012, 02:22 PM

as for the stand, look for wood rot and shake, move, shimmy, etc the stand to see if there is any wobble. You can always build your own stand. It's not that expensive and is easier than you would think. There are a couple really good threads on here about building simple stands.

schatzi · 09/10/2012, 03:03 PM

another thought to get them to fill it up for you is bring a pump/powerhead with some hose so you can quickly drain it out. in case they don't have one on hand. I've never asked but I imagine if you have an easy way to get the water out they might be more receptive to putting it in for you.

Ryand63 · 09/10/2012, 07:43 PM

Anyone else?this should be a good thread for a lot of people!

foundnemo11 · 09/11/2012, 11:00 AM

yeah it wont take long to fill up outside, let alone empty. His word could be right and it never had a leak but after sitting empty and being moved around who the hell knows what could happen. It would suck to take it home all excited and happy to get it going and find tons of water on your floor.

Ryand63 · 09/11/2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundnemo11

yeah it wont take long to fill up outside, let alone empty. His word could be right and it never had a leak but after sitting empty and being moved around who the hell knows what could happen. It would suck to take it home all excited and happy to get it going and find tons of water on your floor.

yeah it would really suck! I think I'm definitly going to request the water test! Still just waiting on that good deal. Found lots of 55 gallons, a few 40's but they all seem to be in pretty poor shape

Reeferz412 · 09/11/2012, 11:46 AM

I find that people who sell 40B's on CL use them for reptile tanks. Its a pattern I see since I lurk CL a lot. 55's are very common to use even though they make terrible tanks imho, but walmart sells kits (10,20,55s) and there are tons of 55g stands and tanks. I would take a 40B over a 55 any day though.

steveo9043 · 09/11/2012, 11:48 AM

Wish this was here on Sunday when I bought my tank.

So far his word has been spot on. I am hoping to do a fill test tonight but everything looks good and it has only been sitting 2 weeks he said.

Edit to add more detail:
I was looking for a few days and had communicated with a few people.
Question the person about the tank and aquariums in general.
A lot of people didn't know what was what.

foundnemo11 · 09/11/2012, 12:05 PM

yeah Craigslist is good. just be patient. I was looking for months then I found a great deal on my 75 . With custom oak stand / canopy ( beautiful) and filters powerheads heaters t5 lights about 20 lbs of live rock he game me water out of his existing tank and a few other things for $250. Couldnt pass that up

I added a bunch of stuff and switched out lights heaters, etc, but for a reef starter kit it worked great.

I would look in other towns an hour or 2maybe 3 away to find stuff also.

09/10/2012, 12:09 PM	#1
Ryand63 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,045	Need Advice: What to look for when buying tank off Craiglist? So I would like to think I could spot major flaws and what not in tanks and stands lol but what would you all say is important or not thought of even, when considering a craiglist purchase. I bought my last tank (29) off there but it was basically brand new so it was easy. Any suggestions/secrets/personal experiences???

09/10/2012, 12:43 PM	#2
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	If you can see it holding water that's a great start. And unless they have copper sensitive creatures in it, and they are alive, you probably have to take their word if they've ever used copper or not. Otherwise if you don't see big cracks, or missing or ripped silicone it's probably fine. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank.

09/10/2012, 01:51 PM	#5
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	Check the silicone on the tank to see if its looks cracked or chipped off. And as said, request a water holding test. I have sold about 20 tanks on CL and only 2 people have asked, but I do it for them. I am glad I am a people person. Filling up a 75 gallon tank takes forever. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

09/10/2012, 03:03 PM	#8
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	another thought to get them to fill it up for you is bring a pump/powerhead with some hose so you can quickly drain it out. in case they don't have one on hand. I've never asked but I imagine if you have an easy way to get the water out they might be more receptive to putting it in for you. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank.

09/11/2012, 11:00 AM	#10
foundnemo11 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 839	yeah it wont take long to fill up outside, let alone empty. His word could be right and it never had a leak but after sitting empty and being moved around who the hell knows what could happen. It would suck to take it home all excited and happy to get it going and find tons of water on your floor. __________________ I am a compulsive liar, and a millionaire. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef, mostly sps, bubble magnus skimmer nac5, Reefbreeders Photon48, hippo tang, kole tang, 2 clownfish, 3 chromis, 1 cleaner wrasse, 1 cleaner shrimp, crabs/snails

09/10/2012, 01:28 PM	#4
Digitalelectric Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 422	Politely request they fill it up in the driveway. If they decline, then walk. Filling it up will tell if it A. Holds water B. if they were hiding scratches. Scratches show 1000times more when filled up.

09/10/2012, 02:22 PM	#7
canesfan44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: S Florida Posts: 1,728	as for the stand, look for wood rot and shake, move, shimmy, etc the stand to see if there is any wobble. You can always build your own stand. It's not that expensive and is easier than you would think. There are a couple really good threads on here about building simple stands.

09/10/2012, 07:43 PM	#9
Ryand63 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,045	Anyone else?this should be a good thread for a lot of people!

09/11/2012, 11:46 AM	#12
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	I find that people who sell 40B's on CL use them for reptile tanks. Its a pattern I see since I lurk CL a lot. 55's are very common to use even though they make terrible tanks imho, but walmart sells kits (10,20,55s) and there are tons of 55g stands and tanks. I would take a 40B over a 55 any day though. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

09/11/2012, 11:48 AM	#13
steveo9043 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Glendale Heights Posts: 320	Wish this was here on Sunday when I bought my tank. So far his word has been spot on. I am hoping to do a fill test tonight but everything looks good and it has only been sitting 2 weeks he said. Edit to add more detail: I was looking for a few days and had communicated with a few people. Question the person about the tank and aquariums in general. A lot of people didn't know what was what.

09/11/2012, 12:05 PM	#14
foundnemo11 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 839	yeah Craigslist is good. just be patient. I was looking for months then I found a great deal on my 75 . With custom oak stand / canopy ( beautiful) and filters powerheads heaters t5 lights about 20 lbs of live rock he game me water out of his existing tank and a few other things for $250. Couldnt pass that up I added a bunch of stuff and switched out lights heaters, etc, but for a reef starter kit it worked great. I would look in other towns an hour or 2maybe 3 away to find stuff also. __________________ I am a compulsive liar, and a millionaire. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef, mostly sps, bubble magnus skimmer nac5, Reefbreeders Photon48, hippo tang, kole tang, 2 clownfish, 3 chromis, 1 cleaner wrasse, 1 cleaner shrimp, crabs/snails