Most people looking for used tanks only want the basics..tank,filter,heater,hood/lighting and stand. I know when I search around for tanks I dont have any interest in the deco in the tank and if there are fish in it already it will all depend on what they are compared to the price I am paying to make it worth the hassle to try and transport live fish from point A to point B. The going rate most people on the forums go by is $1 a gallon for used tanks and equipment .... then I figure in alittle extra for a stand. So for a used 55g with basic equipment and stand I wouldnt give much over $75 for it..... unless it had some high dollar filters,lighting ect....then I might adjust alittle according to that.
How much are these setups worth?
- Thread starter boojumsnark25
- Start date
With the cooler weather not much of a demand in general.I`m see amazing deals on high quality setups where people say they are moving and will take almost anything.I would keep the sets together and try to sell seperately.
Expect to get 30-40% of new store prices.
Expect to get 30-40% of new store prices.
I agree you need to empty the tanks and sell them individually. But at 25% of what you paid for them new. Sorry but as soon as you bring a new tank home it loses 75% of it's value. I don't know about Southpaw's $1 a gallon rule. It might work in Tennessee but here in California there is a much stronger demand for them.
Buying a used tank is a risk (what if it cracks and leaks in a week) and there isn't any warranties.
Buying a used tank is a risk (what if it cracks and leaks in a week) and there isn't any warranties.
The 25% rule you are using works out to about my $1 a gallon rule... Example being you can get a decent 55g kit for around $200 and then put around $100 in a stand...This gives you a total of $300 and using the 25% rule it will get you paying $75 for a used tank/stand combo
1) 55 gallon full setup - I wouldn't pay more than $100
2) 33 Gallon Complete Setup - Wouldn't pay more than $70
3) 29 Gallon Complete Setup - Wouldn't pay more than $60
4) 55 Gallon species Tank - $100 tops
5) 55 Tank Only - $40
This is what i would pay for per tank.
All adds up to $370. You might be able to get away with selling for $400.
Problem is that people can find find really good deals (more liek steals) on craigslist, hence the $$ you would get for a tank (unless its 100+ gallons) isn't going to get the money back that you dished out to buy it in the first place
best of luck to you
2) 33 Gallon Complete Setup - Wouldn't pay more than $70
3) 29 Gallon Complete Setup - Wouldn't pay more than $60
4) 55 Gallon species Tank - $100 tops
5) 55 Tank Only - $40
This is what i would pay for per tank.
All adds up to $370. You might be able to get away with selling for $400.
Problem is that people can find find really good deals (more liek steals) on craigslist, hence the $$ you would get for a tank (unless its 100+ gallons) isn't going to get the money back that you dished out to buy it in the first place
best of luck to you
I wish things were so cheap in Oz!
I take it you are not near a major city. Makes it a bit harder. Have you tried the local papers and bulletin boards? They usually work quite well in small towns. Your next door neighbour may not be reading Craigslist. It was not obvious from that ad where you were.
I agree with the above posters that empty tanks are much more saleable. A dozen cichlids in a tank can be a big problem to someone who wants a guppy tank!
Good luck, Carla
I take it you are not near a major city. Makes it a bit harder. Have you tried the local papers and bulletin boards? They usually work quite well in small towns. Your next door neighbour may not be reading Craigslist. It was not obvious from that ad where you were.
I agree with the above posters that empty tanks are much more saleable. A dozen cichlids in a tank can be a big problem to someone who wants a guppy tank!
Good luck, Carla
With the prices around here, people would be jumping all over you to get the tanks at that price. My LFS, although expensive (4.99$ for neons), still has 29 gallons for 115$ +tax. Just the tank. In Halifax, where I do almost all of my fishy shopping, it can get worse (though not often).
Used tanks here (chicagoland) are usually $1.00 per gallon. If you have plain hoods for lighting throw them in as they are cheap. Filters are optional,most people who buy used tanks, already keep fish and have a filter preference. If it's an aqua clear throw it in. If it's a cannister filter, I'd sell it separate(on Ebay,craiglist, or list in our classifieds). When ever I buy a used tank they usually have Hobs, that I don't need. They just sit in a box. I do keep a few as backups, after a cleaning they are good as new. Decor and gravel most ppl don't want. Tanks 55 gallon and bigger are heavy enough empty. Not having a clean emptied tank, sometimes will cost you the sale. I've never kept any decor or gravel from any used tank I've bought. Tanks are personal, ppl want to setup their aquarium to their taste. If you don't want to take the time to empty and clean the tank, expect someone to come into your house with some sort of pump to empty your tank to take it. Or come over to view it and just think this is too much work. Tanks are easy to find usually every weekend someones got a good price on a tank, especially 55's they are by far the most listed in classified ads.
What I believe they are trying to say is that you had a vision for the tank including equipment and livestock. That might not match the buyer's desires and they are not going to be willing to pay high dollar for it. I do believe $600 is too high yes, and that there are many that won't want all 4 systems in one shot.
You'll make more money if you break it up as some have said. If you keep it together you need to do it bargin basement looking at $1 per gallon range.
