Want to sell 55 gallon tank to my mother. How much should I ask?

[Heady]

I don't want to just give it to her, because if I sold it I would get something for it (though not a lot, I'm sure.) I also don't want to ask an unreasonable price because... well, she's my MOM and she'll probably pay whatever I ask. :D

Specs:
55 gallon glass aquarium, 7 years old but in great condition
Open-frame wood stand with 1 shelf for supplies
Full canopy with 2x40W fluorescents with reflector and electronic remote ballast
3 inches of gravel
Undergravel filter with 2 powerheads
Brand-new Ebo-Jager heater, 150 watt (including for free)
Plus some plant cuttings, also free

What do you think?

[Stock R]

It's your MOM! Give it to her! Imagine if she always thought that when you wanted stuff what things would be like!

[bizzy928]

OH MY GOSH!!! Like Stock R said... ITS YOUR MOM!!! If She charged you for everything you wanted, it would be a lot!

Its the least you can do.

If it was my Mom, I would give her everything and help her maintain it. Then I would teach her everything I know about fish. And then some more!

[Sumpin'fishy]

....then give her a back massage in between checking on the food I'm cooking for her, while she brouses some fish books picking out which fish to add to the tank.....

Man, the things our parents went through to make us happy when we were spoiled kids! It's the LEAST we can do!

[mickey]

It will make a nice easter present for her.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

if your a drinker just say a carton of beer or what ever you drink thats what i would do

or for the tank and all the accessories say $30-$50 i think that would be fare

but if its just the tank give it to her

think about it;)

[Slappy*McFish]

Indeed. Just give it to her, or sell it to someone else. Just don't sell it to her. How much were you thinking of getting for it? $100 bucks maybe?

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

i say get a little money 20-50 dollars isnt that much for thhat tank if basicaly giving it away

[Firsttanks]

Give it to her for MOTHERS DAY....show her what a good kid you really are. :D :p :)

[Heady]

Okay guys. Maybe you need the full story.

I bought her a brand new 55 gallon tank with all the trimmings for Mothers day a couple of years ago. I have been buying fish, a Python, driftwood, and plants for her since I bought her the tank.

I was planning to sell my 55 gallon tank in the Classifieds to help finance the purchase of my new 100 gallon tank. My mom was going to buy a brand new tank for herself anyway, so when she heard this she said she wanted to buy my old one off of me instead. So, I said sure.

I bought her a brand new unopened Ebo-Jager 150W heater for my old tank completely free (she has a Jack Dempsey who likes to destroy heaters so she needed the extra thickness) and I am also giving her as many plant clippings as I can. Now I just want to know what a reasonable price would be like for a stranger seeing the tank with the specs in my first post in the Classifieds. I was thinking maybe $100.

Here are the Specs Again:
55 gallon glass aquarium, 7 years old but in great condition
Open-frame wood stand with 1 shelf for supplies
Full canopy with 2x40W fluorescents with reflector and electronic remote ballast
3 inches of gravel
Undergravel filter with 2 powerheads

What do you think would be a fair price?

[somefinnfishy]

Let her decide how much to pay you.Then give her 1/2 back:D

[BigFishDude]

As much as I think you should give it to her, I would say a fair price is in the 100-150 range.

Thats what I would pay for it.

PS- GIVE IT TO HER!!!!! ;)

[mickey]

You only get the one mother ,you can get a fish tank any old time.
Just give your mum the tank.Make her day.

[Mantis_22]

this post disgusts me. Shes your friggin mom, like she hasent gave you anything for free in your life. What a pity... :mad:

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, how can you sell something to your own mother. Just give it to her and ask for some help when paying for the new tank. But don't be like, "I'll give you the tank if you give me money for the new tank.", just ask if you can go partners with the tank. Do it nicely, she is your mother.

[somefinnfishy]

cut him some slack.My mother makes WAY more than I do I'm all ways doing things for her and she will hide the money at my house on visits.Some mother son relationships are different than others:DHe has every right to sell it to her but he better come up with a h3ll of a moms day gift.

[djlen]

Hey Heady, does this sound like something you might have heard on another board. Isn't it amazing how people all think alike?
As I said on the other board......charge her what you would charge anybody else. Even at that, she's way ahead of the game, IMO.
Len

[NJ Devils Fan]

She gave you birth, didn't sell it to you, but gave it to you. I don't understand, why aren't the tanks just everybody's instead of yours and mine?

[ChilDawg]

Actually, I'm one of the righteous idiots on this board, and I believe that I have spent a lot more than $800 on my mother this year.

That having been said, if she is willing to buy your tank or finance a new one if she can acquire the tank from you, be my guest! I would just be careful about how I worded it...having her help you get a new tank seems a little more respectful than buying this current tank. If my mom ever wanted her 20 high back and offered to get me money or a new tank for it, I would go with her helping me get a new tank as it just seems more respectful.

Hope this helps!

~Matthew

P.S. Don't clean her out on this tank. Really. :D J/K, and I hope that she enjoys the 55 and that you enjoy the 100!

[NJ Devils Fan]

How am I a riteous idiot because I think it is wrong to sell my own mother something. I feel bad enough taking things from her after all the things she has done for me, that last thing I would do is sell her something. And again, the tank shouldn't be your or hers, it should be everyone's and she should help you pay for the new tank.

[Heady]

Seriously. How many of you besides ChilDawg have honestly spent as much as I have on my mother the past 2 years (over $800). Really, you should consider what you do yourselves in your own lives before you go judging someone else.

All I wanted from you was what a reasonable price would be, so I make sure I don't rip her off. I'm not going to listen to this self riteous crap about me not appreciating my mother any more.

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Mantis_22
this post disgusts me. Shes your friggin mom, like she hasent gave you anything for free in your life. What a pity... :mad:

I agree completely. I can't imagine the rational behind this, it is disgusting. Give it to her for free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheDuBdoNe]

i would say $100 for a mom... dont listen to everyone... they dont know background information...

some of these peoples responses disgust me... seriously get over it... someone asks a simple question and then people act like its a personal attack on all mothers...

[Heady]

Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
I don't understand, why aren't the tanks just everybody's instead of yours and mine?

What on earth do you mean by everybody's? It's not like I'm leeching off my mom. I'm a grown adult with my own house, so it would be pretty silly to have visitation or something. :rolleyes:

[NJ Devils Fan]

So then bring the tank to her house , set everything up, and ask her to help you pay for the new tank. Almost the same as selling it to her but in a more respectful way.(yes, to me, it's not respectful to sell your mother anything, but thats my opinion.)

[Roland]

Im so poor at the moment that Id definatly ask for cash. No shame!:D

$125 maybe?

[Heady]

somefinnfishy, Dragon_Lord_Tia, and roland, thanks for your input!

NJDevilsFan that's what I was planning to do anyway. I set up the brand new 55 gallon I bought for her 2 years ago and I sometimes do water changes for her even though she lives an hour away.

[Converseballer]

i agree with asking her to help finance the next tank......but if u live w/ your mom just set it up one day and when she gets home Suprise yay then she can by the fish when its ready and what ever decorations she would like (with your help of course ;) ) tell us what you do..

[NGerdes]

I think you have to go less than $100...

You can by a 55 gal at Wal-Mart right now for $148 and some change. That comes with all the accesories as well; filter, hoods, ect. I am not doubting in any way that your equipment is worth more than the Wal-Mart stuff, but considering your tank is used and she's your Mom, I would think you have to go under $100.

And FYI, my mom is one of those moms who would get MAD at me if I tried giving her something for free, she gives me a 1/2 hour lecture every christmas, birthday, or mothersday if I spend too much on her.

[Sumpin'fishy]

The whole "mother thing" aside......I think if you want to hook up someone with a good deal, go for $50 to $75. If you want to be firm about what you believe it's worth, try $100 to $125.

I have learned that 55gal tanks aren't worth that much when it comes down to it. They can be bought brand new for $100 (tank and top w/lights). Being used I usually go for half price to ANYONE I know. I may go lower for good friends/special deals. I would probably give it to my Mom, but honestly, I haven't done as much as you have for Mom (money-wise) in the past few years!

[beviking]

$100! $75 if you're being influenced by everyone telling you to give it to her. Parents are always parents and like to feel like they're helping out their children even when their children aren't children anymore! Personally, I'd go the respectful route as stated, but then again, I'd probably give it to her too. I don't know about $800 over 2 years, but free vehicle service (brakes, thermostat, heater fan/blower motor, fuel pump) adds up! Let us know how it all comes out!

[superjohnny]

If it were me I'd charge 1 steak dinner (or baby back ribs depending on mood) complete with a berry pie.


mmmmmmm... BBQ ....mmmmm

Sounds like a good deal for everyone to me.

[GEV83]

Its your mom man you give it to her dont sell it to her just think how much money she spent raising you to the point to were you are humans are the most expensive thing you could raise in a house hold and you want to sell her the tank my God. Just say here you go Mom its all yours. Your payment should be in her being happy not in money.