Is this tank worth the $ ?

Nzomniak · 02/17/2006, 03:00 AM

I might buy this tank ...

He wants $250 for it. He already gave away the fish, but it comes with the tank, stand, lights, all pumps, basically everything except the fish (including the plastic plants! lol). He just doesn't want it anymore. It does not match my decor at all, I may be able to paint or stain or something....

I know that it's freshwater, and I won't be able to use any of the stuff with it (maybe some of it?)

It's a 55 gallon, and it's got the pretty rounded corners.

What do you guys think? Worth $250?

egdevilboy · 02/17/2006, 03:04 AM

Id say so. If its not drilled maybe a lil lower...
Im selling a similar (RR though) 55 gallon with stand and canopy alone for that price.

What kinda lights? regular flourescents?

Teremei · 02/17/2006, 03:05 AM

The glass (or accrylic?) doesn't look too thick. And IMO you'd be better off getting a brand new tank. Sure it will cost a little more. But you really should consider 1/2" glass or accrylic from a well known sturdy brand like ALL GLASS, or Glass Cages, ect . . I guess I'd have to see some up close pictures, but where are the braces around the bottom and top?

It's JMO, but you should deffinatly know the brand of the maker of the tank so you can research it here via it's name, and find out about it's long term stability, before going into a purchase. .

mejiggery · 02/17/2006, 03:23 AM

I know you`ll give it a good clean and everything but something else that I always think about is the fact that you never know what chemicals ect have gone in it. It looks like theres gold fish in it, so very possible copper base medicines have been used in it, which isnt good for marine inverts.
And if your going to stain it or something up throwing more money into it aswell, so how much is it going to cost when its looking how you`d like... is it close to the price of a new tank.

Bluemorningwind · 02/17/2006, 04:11 AM

Personally, I say it's not worth it.

For a start, it doesn't match your tastes.

Secondly, you will probably want to upgrade the lighting after almost every Reef Central member tells you that you should get MH.

Next, it isn't reef ready.

Finally, I don' think the dimensions allow for a good aqua-scape. I reckon a 90 by 45 by 45 centimetre tank would allow for a better aqua-scape, but JMO.

Offer him $100.00. If he refuses, walk away happily.

Freed · 02/17/2006, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Teremei
But you really should consider 1/2" glass or accrylic

Isn't 1/2" for a 55 gallon a bit extreme? My 180 only has 3/8" thick acrylic. 1/4"-3/8" for a 55 is probably standard and even strong enough wouldn't you say?

dwhit0102 · 02/17/2006, 06:26 AM

Also the tank does look like it is acrylic and that will cause you problems in the future because they scratch so easily. Your best bet is buying a new one or buy this one extremely cheap for your first tank, but eventually you'll wanna get rid of it

whiirly · 02/17/2006, 07:11 AM

The tank stand and canopy were the cheapest part of my set up
yet thats what every one sees so dont skimp there it will only cost you more in the near future

Cutiewitbooty · 02/17/2006, 09:06 AM

you can go to petco and get a 55 gal with stand, light and tank RR for less than $300, here i think i can get them for like $200 IMO it's not worth it, too expensive for a used tank

alten78 · 02/17/2006, 09:13 AM

agreed with bluemorningwind, offer 100 or its not worth it. The lfs here we can get 55 gal setup (tank,stand,cheap lights) for about 170.

purza_00 · 02/17/2006, 09:27 AM

I agree. You don't like the stand, and will have to replace all the other equipment including the light for a reef tank. Also like mentioned above, chemicals may have been used which are not removable and not compatible with a marine system. You will really want it to be "reef ready" and larger if you can afford it. Look for someone getting rid of a saltwater system that you can see in operation prior to buying. If you can find a 70g reef ready you'll be much happier. JMO. Good luck which ever way you go.

Cutiewitbooty · 02/17/2006, 09:31 AM

yeah we can get a 55 here for about $150, but RR it's about $200

Nzomniak · 02/20/2006, 12:51 AM

Wow, the last thing I thought was that you guys would vote basically unanimously! lol

So, I guess ya'll have talked me into NOT buying this thing. I'll just wait it out till the time is more appropriate for me, and probably end up buying something new.

Thanks for all of your input. I probably would have made a decision I would have regretted if it wasn't for you guys!

banditfl · 02/20/2006, 06:29 AM

just a little side note. At Walmart you can by a 55gal kit for about $150. Includes HOB Filter, Heater, NO Lamp and other goodies. Yes it is all designed for Freshwater. Just an exapmle for a cost comparison.

Octoberfest · 02/20/2006, 08:32 AM

Look in the paper near you as well. I found mine in the paper 125 gallon AGA stand and cheap lights for $100.00.

NCreefwannabe · 02/20/2006, 07:51 PM

*** lol you suck... you didnt tell me you bought that tank so cheap....

Guess ill be checking the paper more often myself lol.

02/17/2006, 03:00 AM	#1
Nzomniak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 35	Is this tank worth the $ ? I might buy this tank ... He wants $250 for it. He already gave away the fish, but it comes with the tank, stand, lights, all pumps, basically everything except the fish (including the plastic plants! lol). He just doesn't want it anymore. It does not match my decor at all, I may be able to paint or stain or something.... I know that it's freshwater, and I won't be able to use any of the stuff with it (maybe some of it?) It's a 55 gallon, and it's got the pretty rounded corners. What do you guys think? Worth $250? __________________ Charlene Daytona Bike Week 2006 was awesome! Instead of alt.binaries.slutty.shaved.high.school.girls I now "read" alt.binaries.playboy for the articles. - sequential

02/17/2006, 07:11 AM	#8
whiirly Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Orland Park ILL Posts: 3,177	The tank stand and canopy were the cheapest part of my set up yet thats what every one sees so dont skimp there it will only cost you more in the near future __________________ Whiirly A.K.A The One and ONLY:)> Current Tank Info: 180 might as well be a FOWLR

02/17/2006, 09:06 AM	#9
Cutiewitbooty Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alaska For 18 Years, Now Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 2,795	you can go to petco and get a 55 gal with stand, light and tank RR for less than $300, here i think i can get them for like $200 IMO it's not worth it, too expensive for a used tank __________________ WARNING: Taking my advice may result in personal injury and/or jail time. ~Amber~

02/17/2006, 09:13 AM	#10
alten78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sheffield Lake, OH Posts: 1,231	agreed with bluemorningwind, offer 100 or its not worth it. The lfs here we can get 55 gal setup (tank,stand,cheap lights) for about 170. __________________ When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then find a person where life gave them vodka and have a party. ~ Ron White Current Tank Info: 120g SPS dominated

02/17/2006, 09:31 AM	#12
Cutiewitbooty Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alaska For 18 Years, Now Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 2,795	yeah we can get a 55 here for about $150, but RR it's about $200 __________________ WARNING: Taking my advice may result in personal injury and/or jail time. ~Amber~

02/17/2006, 03:04 AM	#2
egdevilboy Moved On Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern Florida Posts: 620	Id say so. If its not drilled maybe a lil lower... Im selling a similar (RR though) 55 gallon with stand and canopy alone for that price. What kinda lights? regular flourescents?

02/17/2006, 03:05 AM	#3
Teremei Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Chicago (one hour west) Posts: 2,751	The glass (or accrylic?) doesn't look too thick. And IMO you'd be better off getting a brand new tank. Sure it will cost a little more. But you really should consider 1/2" glass or accrylic from a well known sturdy brand like ALL GLASS, or Glass Cages, ect . . I guess I'd have to see some up close pictures, but where are the braces around the bottom and top? It's JMO, but you should deffinatly know the brand of the maker of the tank so you can research it here via it's name, and find out about it's long term stability, before going into a purchase. .

02/17/2006, 03:23 AM	#4
mejiggery Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: south-west uk Posts: 469	I know you`ll give it a good clean and everything but something else that I always think about is the fact that you never know what chemicals ect have gone in it. It looks like theres gold fish in it, so very possible copper base medicines have been used in it, which isnt good for marine inverts. And if your going to stain it or something up throwing more money into it aswell, so how much is it going to cost when its looking how you`d like... is it close to the price of a new tank.

02/17/2006, 04:11 AM	#5
Bluemorningwind Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tokyo Posts: 441	Personally, I say it's not worth it. For a start, it doesn't match your tastes. Secondly, you will probably want to upgrade the lighting after almost every Reef Central member tells you that you should get MH. Next, it isn't reef ready. Finally, I don' think the dimensions allow for a good aqua-scape. I reckon a 90 by 45 by 45 centimetre tank would allow for a better aqua-scape, but JMO. Offer him $100.00. If he refuses, walk away happily.

02/17/2006, 06:26 AM	#7
dwhit0102 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 269	Also the tank does look like it is acrylic and that will cause you problems in the future because they scratch so easily. Your best bet is buying a new one or buy this one extremely cheap for your first tank, but eventually you'll wanna get rid of it

02/17/2006, 09:27 AM	#11
purza_00 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 320	I agree. You don't like the stand, and will have to replace all the other equipment including the light for a reef tank. Also like mentioned above, chemicals may have been used which are not removable and not compatible with a marine system. You will really want it to be "reef ready" and larger if you can afford it. Look for someone getting rid of a saltwater system that you can see in operation prior to buying. If you can find a 70g reef ready you'll be much happier. JMO. Good luck which ever way you go.

02/20/2006, 12:51 AM	#13
Nzomniak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 35	Wow, the last thing I thought was that you guys would vote basically unanimously! lol So, I guess ya'll have talked me into NOT buying this thing. I'll just wait it out till the time is more appropriate for me, and probably end up buying something new. Thanks for all of your input. I probably would have made a decision I would have regretted if it wasn't for you guys! __________________ Charlene Daytona Bike Week 2006 was awesome! Instead of alt.binaries.slutty.shaved.high.school.girls I now "read" alt.binaries.playboy for the articles. - sequential

02/20/2006, 06:29 AM	#14
banditfl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 324	just a little side note. At Walmart you can by a 55gal kit for about $150. Includes HOB Filter, Heater, NO Lamp and other goodies. Yes it is all designed for Freshwater. Just an exapmle for a cost comparison. __________________ Successful Bubble Algae Farmer. Current Tank Info: 75g Mixed Reef (under development), 30g softie w/20l frag tank, and the original 6g nano (the one the sarted it all)

02/20/2006, 08:32 AM	#15
Octoberfest Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 1,350	Look in the paper near you as well. I found mine in the paper 125 gallon AGA stand and cheap lights for $100.00. __________________ 29 gallon bio-cube with 150w metal halide sunpod fixture, stock 14 gallon bio-cube

02/20/2006, 07:51 PM	#16
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	*** lol you suck... you didnt tell me you bought that tank so cheap.... Guess ill be checking the paper more often myself lol.