Deal Or No Deal?

[Pearl]

A friend offered to sell me two twenty gallon tanks with hoods, lights, hob filters, heaters and a cast iron stand that holds both tanks for $100.00. The tanks need a good cleaning but they hold water. So deal or no deal? Anyone?

[toddnbecka]

It depends on what they're worth to you, IMO that's not a bad price for 2 complete setups w/stand if they're in good condition overall. Figure $1/gallon as a base price for used tanks, and about half the cost on new for hood/lights, filters, etc.
I've picked up a 29 w/hood/light and metal stand for $45, and paid around $100 for 2 75's with a custom double metal stand (no other accessories) and about the same another price on a 55 with full cabinet stand, fluval 304, and damaged hood. The strip light was fine, but the glass inserts in the 2-piece hood were broken. I bought glass versa-tops for the tank, like those better anyway.
A couple of 20's are good for spawning or growing out young fry if you're breeding anything, also good for smaller fish like tetras or dwarf cichlids. Fairly easy to work with for planted tanks as well.

[Rbishop]

Offer $75....if he doesn't take it, look elsewhere.

[echoofformless]

It all depends on what the equipment consists of. If it's all el cheapo crap than it's not the best deal. If he's giving you full hoods with high output lighting, recent model Penguin or Aquaclear filters and some Stealth heaters you're looking at a really good deal.

[excuzzzeme]

Offer $75....if he doesn't take it, look elsewhere.


Agreed!

[CWO4GUNNER]

I make it a rule never to buy anything from a friend unless it is given to me, and never sell to a friend unless I give it as a gift. Something I have learned over the years to maintain a good friendship. Even backing out of a deal between friends can set back a friendship, So I just avoid it altogether.

Especially a 20 gallon tank, whats that between friends.

[Pearl]

Mmmm... Now I'm not sure.

The thing is I was already planning to buy a twenty gallon tank to raise fry in. Add in the cost of a stand, filter, heater, light and hood and I'm going to end up spending at least $100.00 and probably more. I've also been thinking of buying a breeding pair of lamprologus melagris while they're still available at the lfs and I could use the other twenty as a temporary home until I set up a larger tank for them.

Then again, aside from water changes, these tanks haven't had a good cleaning in a few months and the glass is covered with algae. (My friend has been lax with the upkeep of his tanks lately, which is why he's downsizing.) As for the rest of the equipment, the tanks come with full hoods and lights, Whisper hob filters and Stealth heaters. The filters are in the same condition as the tanks but the heaters are fairly new. The stand is nice too.

So maybe I'll do a little haggling and see if he'll agree to $75.00.

Also, CW, this won't be the first time I bought something from my friend. A few years ago, he sold me a piano accordion for $75.00. And we're still friends. (LOL)

Thanks for all the replies.

[Fresh250]

Offer $75....if he doesn't take it, look elsewhere.
:iagree:

[Reframer]

If he is a good friend and needs the money then it is fine. A stand that holds both tanks is pretty nice to have.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Oh by the way Pearl, are those two Bombay black cats in your avatar and are they yours? Asking becasue I have two black Bombay cats.

[Pearl]

Oh by the way Pearl, are those two Bombay black cats in your avatar and are they yours? Asking becasue I have two black Bombay cats.

Those are two of my cats. (I have six.) Their names are Skeeter and Rufus. And Skeeter (the little one) is actually black and white.

By the way, the German sheperd is the original Pearl.

[Pearl]

If he is a good friend and needs the money then it is fine. A stand that holds both tanks is pretty nice to have.

That is a wonderful sentiment. Not that my friend needs the money, nor am I wealthy, but he could probably use the money more than me right now if you know what I mean. I will definitely factor that into how much I haggle with him. Thank you. Besides, I love those old cast-iron stands.

[Pearl]

In case anyone's still mildly interested, my friend called me today and said I could have both tanks and all the accessories for free, in part because he just wanted to get rid of them, but also because I gave him some of last year's venison two weeks ago so I could make room in my freezer for this year's venison. I also managed to pick up a fifty gallon tank and stand for $25.00. All things considered, it was an excellent day. And life is good.

[bettaobsession]

Sounds Sweet!

[toddnbecka]

:iagree: DEAL! :clap:

[JamieB]

I sold 30 gal. 2 years ago including tank,hood w/light,stand,hob filter all for $ 25 you got great deal!!