Buying New Setups vs. Buying Used: Pros and Cons

[Blossom112]

i baught all mine used ,i got a good deal ..............but in buying the LR and coral i see stuff that is not wanted but that can all be easily fixed .
I would pay less 50% for sure as you dont know what problems you will encounter .
Goodluck

 

[mandy21]

I'm buying my tank new. I'm not going to risk a 240g tank used with something wrong. Of course, there could be something wrong with a new one, but my thought is the chances are less. The same with the sand.

I'll probably buy new heaters because they are inexpensive. I'm definitely trying to find a used skimmer since something for that size is going to be expensive. I'm checking on other forums with people that have tanks that size that have the tendency to always want to upgrade their equipment. The upgrade, I'm trying to do as much used. I didn't know what I was doing when I bought the equipment for my 75g and now I do, so I'm more comfortable with what I'm looking for.

 

[CalBears]

Good stuff. Thanks for the replies. I'm looking to get into the hobby and I do not want to spend money on a used aquarium, only to have it be a bust. I am not planning on even buy any equipment until August, at the earliest. I plan on saving some money from each one of my paychecks in order to save enough money to buy everything I need. It seems like a good idea to my.

I want a tank that is 75 gallons or bigger and since this is my first time, I was not 100% sure if buying used was risk worth taking. Based on the replies that I have read, I am feeling like I want all new equipment. When I familiarize myself with how everything works and I need/want to upgrade, I will purchase used.

I will search around the LFS to see which one has some good deals for me and a tank that I like.

If anyone wants to add their two cents to this thread, please do so. I'd like to read more opinions from you all.

Thank you!

 

[cuticom]

I got my reef tank used and couldn't be happier, being a teenager if I hadn't been able to pick the whole set up so cheaply I wouldn't have a marine tank. I got MH and actinic lights built into the hood and wired professionally by an electrician, an entirely custom made, custom designed tank, hood and stand with a rather unique filtration system complete with a professional custom made filter and skimmer, as I said couldn't be happier, the guy also through in 20kg of cured live rock. I paid $250 for it and the equipment alone would be worth a grand, let alone the liverock.

I have no problems with used, but always ensure it is leak tested before you take, never take it just on the sayso of the owner, I always make em fill it with water and send me a pic before I pay...