Buying and selling a tank

PowerNap · 10/24/2012, 01:28 PM

For the last few months I’ve had this crazy idea. I want to search my area Craig’s list ads for an undervalued tank, clean it up, and sell it at a profit. On two separate occasions I was a little to slow and the tank was sold.

I found a 110 gallon oceanic with stand and canopy in my neighborhood. The owner just wants it gone, and is asking $200. I have a garage to store it so I can snap it up, and wait for the right buyer, even though I secretly wish I had the space to set it up. Someone talk me out of this!

Reeferz412 · 10/24/2012, 01:33 PM

I used to do this but with smaller scale tanks. Up to 75. One thing to keep in mind is if the tank actually holds water. If they just want it gone, you should inquire if anything is wrong with it, and request a leak test.

best sale I had was a 55 gallon a co worker gave me. He has kids and just wanted it out. The canopy and cabinet needed work so I took it to my dads and we revarnished it and I cleaned everything top to bottom. I even threw in some extra stuff from my old setup I didnt use. I ended up selling something I got for free for $300.

capt85 · 10/24/2012, 03:39 PM

I support my hobby by doing this when I can but FYI if you buy a full reef (coral, rock, sand, fish, etc) it is a LOT of work. You will need a place to hold the livestock and be willing to spend the time and effort to clean the tank and show it to people to sell. Also people from craigslist can be very flaky.

So yes it is doable but not always easy.

r-balljunkie · 10/25/2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt85

I support my hobby by doing this when I can but FYI if you buy a full reef (coral, rock, sand, fish, etc) it is a LOT of work. You will need a place to hold the livestock and be willing to spend the time and effort to clean the tank and show it to people to sell. Also people from craigslist can be very flaky.

So yes it is doable but not always easy.

+1

ive done this before, but its time consuming parting out everything, finding fish a new home quickly. you need a truck for sure, lotsa room.

c

triggreef · 10/25/2012, 01:30 AM

If your anything like me, you will end up not wanting to get rid of it.

I just saw a 150 bow front w/ stand for $500. I would have loved to grab that but I just have no where for it. And my wife is getting very upset. I've never seen someone get so jealous over fish. lol I find it funny, but annoying.

PowerNap · 10/25/2012, 08:14 AM

triggreef, I understand completly!
New information: Seller is keeping the stand and canopy, offering the tank at the low low price of $80. Tank has overflows in both corners. Again the plan is to clean it up and sell it. BBBUUUTTTT, That wall in my office is looking awfull empty!

10/24/2012, 01:28 PM	#1
PowerNap Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Turnersville NJ Posts: 132	Buying and selling a tank For the last few months I’ve had this crazy idea. I want to search my area Craig’s list ads for an undervalued tank, clean it up, and sell it at a profit. On two separate occasions I was a little to slow and the tank was sold. I found a 110 gallon oceanic with stand and canopy in my neighborhood. The owner just wants it gone, and is asking $200. I have a garage to store it so I can snap it up, and wait for the right buyer, even though I secretly wish I had the space to set it up. Someone talk me out of this! __________________ Engineer Extraordinaire My other aquarium is a corvette. Current Tank Info: 56g column, RKL controler, 2x AI Sol white, custom stand and canopy.

10/24/2012, 01:33 PM	#2
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	I used to do this but with smaller scale tanks. Up to 75. One thing to keep in mind is if the tank actually holds water. If they just want it gone, you should inquire if anything is wrong with it, and request a leak test. best sale I had was a 55 gallon a co worker gave me. He has kids and just wanted it out. The canopy and cabinet needed work so I took it to my dads and we revarnished it and I cleaned everything top to bottom. I even threw in some extra stuff from my old setup I didnt use. I ended up selling something I got for free for $300. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

10/25/2012, 08:14 AM	#6
PowerNap Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Turnersville NJ Posts: 132	triggreef, I understand completly! New information: Seller is keeping the stand and canopy, offering the tank at the low low price of $80. Tank has overflows in both corners. Again the plan is to clean it up and sell it. BBBUUUTTTT, That wall in my office is looking awfull empty! __________________ Engineer Extraordinaire My other aquarium is a corvette. Current Tank Info: 56g column, RKL controler, 2x AI Sol white, custom stand and canopy.

10/24/2012, 03:39 PM	#3
capt85 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SW MO Posts: 292	I support my hobby by doing this when I can but FYI if you buy a full reef (coral, rock, sand, fish, etc) it is a LOT of work. You will need a place to hold the livestock and be willing to spend the time and effort to clean the tank and show it to people to sell. Also people from craigslist can be very flaky. So yes it is doable but not always easy.

10/25/2012, 01:30 AM	#5
triggreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 2,917	If your anything like me, you will end up not wanting to get rid of it. I just saw a 150 bow front w/ stand for $500. I would have loved to grab that but I just have no where for it. And my wife is getting very upset. I've never seen someone get so jealous over fish. lol I find it funny, but annoying.