Would you buy a used protein skimmer?

serbusfish · 02/08/2015, 09:19 AM

Im looking to buy a protein skimmer but once for my tank is quite expensive at just over £300 (Deltec MCE600) but there are a few on ebay for half that price. Would you buy a used one? One is 9 months old, one is 18 months old, and one is 4 years old. The last one is the cheapest and the seller claims it works well, but should I risk it?

wetWolger · 02/08/2015, 09:26 AM

I have bought two used skimmers before, and both were fine. One had a pump failure after a year, and it happens...it's an easy fix and I was still money ahead.

So if the price was right, I trusted the seller (as much as you can online), and everything looked good, absolutely.

ghostman · 02/08/2015, 09:33 AM

I would certainly buy a used skimmer. Most skimmers have few working or moving parts to break or wear out-usually just the pump. If the pump is in good shape, a used skimmer is a great deal. Although pumps can be replaced, some are costly and you should investigate that cost upfront as well.

moondoggy4 · 02/08/2015, 10:09 AM

The MCE600 is a great skimmer but parts are near impossible to get other than salvage here in the states, obviously your on the other side of the pond and I believe Stuart is the man over England so I would not think parts will be a problem they are costly though. But I would definitely buy used half the skimmers I purchased were used.

Jade5051 · 02/08/2015, 11:21 AM

Almost equipment is bought used or all most new from hobbyist. If you shop, you can find local wholesalers selling new items or returned items, people getting out of the hobby or a project that never got off the ground. Craigslist and Ebay great places to get great deals. You can save at least half the cost of retail with Craigslist and Ebay just keep shopping til you find what you want.

tkeracer619 · 02/08/2015, 11:24 AM

I would be hesitant on a 4 year old skimmer in that price range.

I prefer good used and with the hobby turnover you can score some good stuff for not a whole lot of cash.

meidinad · 02/08/2015, 01:45 PM

Absolutely... if the price is right. I buy all (mostly) used to save some $$ as I'm a student. I have yet to have a bad experience. Just pay attention to what you're buying, consider the price of pump replacements, and see if it's worth the risk. If they want too much then look around for more. Usually people in this hobby price used equipment fairly.

3FordFamily · 02/08/2015, 02:18 PM

Of my three setups, all three have used skimmers.

myram · 02/08/2015, 04:17 PM

Using a used skimmer on my system right now.

serbusfish · 02/08/2015, 06:14 PM

Thanks a lot guys that has given me a lot of confidence. I have actually just decided to buy one, the 4 year old one ended up going for £83. I thought I would play it safe and went for the 9 month old one, snagged for £150, just over half the price of a brand new one. I just hope everything is good on it.

Spiffy · 02/08/2015, 06:39 PM

I would definitely buy used. I would replace or upgrade the pump, though.

Aslmx · 02/08/2015, 06:46 PM

I buy used everything. I have an Asm G3. I got it here for $125 and a new one is like $50,000. No brainer to me to buy used.

02/08/2015, 09:19 AM	#1
serbusfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 710	Would you buy a used protein skimmer? Im looking to buy a protein skimmer but once for my tank is quite expensive at just over £300 (Deltec MCE600) but there are a few on ebay for half that price. Would you buy a used one? One is 9 months old, one is 18 months old, and one is 4 years old. The last one is the cheapest and the seller claims it works well, but should I risk it?

02/08/2015, 09:26 AM	#2
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	I have bought two used skimmers before, and both were fine. One had a pump failure after a year, and it happens...it's an easy fix and I was still money ahead. So if the price was right, I trusted the seller (as much as you can online), and everything looked good, absolutely. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

02/08/2015, 09:33 AM	#3
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	I would certainly buy a used skimmer. Most skimmers have few working or moving parts to break or wear out-usually just the pump. If the pump is in good shape, a used skimmer is a great deal. Although pumps can be replaced, some are costly and you should investigate that cost upfront as well. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

02/08/2015, 11:21 AM	#5
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Almost equipment is bought used or all most new from hobbyist. If you shop, you can find local wholesalers selling new items or returned items, people getting out of the hobby or a project that never got off the ground. Craigslist and Ebay great places to get great deals. You can save at least half the cost of retail with Craigslist and Ebay just keep shopping til you find what you want. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

02/08/2015, 11:24 AM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would be hesitant on a 4 year old skimmer in that price range. I prefer good used and with the hobby turnover you can score some good stuff for not a whole lot of cash. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/08/2015, 10:09 AM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The MCE600 is a great skimmer but parts are near impossible to get other than salvage here in the states, obviously your on the other side of the pond and I believe Stuart is the man over England so I would not think parts will be a problem they are costly though. But I would definitely buy used half the skimmers I purchased were used.

02/08/2015, 01:45 PM	#7
meidinad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 61	Absolutely... if the price is right. I buy all (mostly) used to save some $$ as I'm a student. I have yet to have a bad experience. Just pay attention to what you're buying, consider the price of pump replacements, and see if it's worth the risk. If they want too much then look around for more. Usually people in this hobby price used equipment fairly.

02/08/2015, 02:18 PM	#8
3FordFamily Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fishers, Indiana (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 488	Of my three setups, all three have used skimmers.

02/08/2015, 04:17 PM	#9
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Using a used skimmer on my system right now.

02/08/2015, 06:14 PM	#10
serbusfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 710	Thanks a lot guys that has given me a lot of confidence. I have actually just decided to buy one, the 4 year old one ended up going for £83. I thought I would play it safe and went for the 9 month old one, snagged for £150, just over half the price of a brand new one. I just hope everything is good on it.

02/08/2015, 06:39 PM	#11
Spiffy Cheesy Poofs! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Bronx, New York Posts: 357	I would definitely buy used. I would replace or upgrade the pump, though. __________________ Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro Gen3 x2, ReefLink, CPR CS50 Overflow. Reef Octopus NWB 110 Skimmer, Reef Octopus BR-110 Reactor. VorTech MP40 w/ QD Wetside x2, MP10 x1(Sump), 30-Gallon Sump. Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon, Prepping for LPS, 6 Years.

02/08/2015, 06:46 PM	#12
Aslmx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cullman,alabama Posts: 329	I buy used everything. I have an Asm G3. I got it here for $125 and a new one is like $50,000. No brainer to me to buy used.