Need help with used tank purchase

R

Rebgen

AC Members
Jan 26, 2005
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Des Moines, IA
Can anyone help me sort out what a fair price is for a used tank setup I'm thinking about? I have spent hours around the forums here in ther last few days and have learned much. Instead of springing for a new larger (55-75gal) tank, I'm leaning towards checking the classifieds out. I just talked to someone selling the following setup. Can anyone offer some guidance on price I should offer...etc?

75 gal. glass tank (eight-years-old) Empty and in good condition.
Two submersible heaters (brand unknown)
Hood/fluorescent light
60lbs. gravel
Wood stand (forgot to ask any questions about this)
UGF (I'll probably shelf this in favor of a cannister filter instead)

*Asking $300

What do think a fair price is based on what I've learned? Anything I need to ask or look for before buying this?

Thanks in advance for the help....this place is a goldmine of helpful information!
 
Way more than I would pay. Used tanks, figure about $.75-$100 per gallon. Heaters--without a brand it's hard to say--I wouldn't buy them, simply because I wouldn't trust them and would buy new instead (heaters just are not the place to save money IMO). The light/hood--depends on what it is. Normal output--about 50% of what you can get them new for, less what you'll pay to replace the bulbs. Gravel--not even worth it--bigger pain to clean and trust than to buy new. Stand--up to you--if it's well done and attractive, it's worth more. If it's one they purchased--check what the price is new, and ask if it's gotten wet for any length of time. UGF--why pay for it if you won't use it?

All in all--with a good stand, good lights, the tank, I'd say maybe $150. I paid $70 for a 55 that came with a ton of fish (30+ bristlenose, 3 whiptails), gravel (trashed), decorations (hideous, also trashed), a 2 bulb 48" strip light, and a stand (also junk).
 
well, that all depends oriongirl. location plays a big factor in this. I'd probably want to get it around 200-250 myself here in Oklahoma because you don't see them much at all other than new. I do however see tons of cheap tanks like you mentioned in other parts of the country on ebay and such. It's just that shipping or taking a trip 800 miles away negates the low prices.
Rebgen, it's only worth what you or someone else is willing to pay. there is no book to go by and it's hard to compare tanks to eachother because you seldom find the same system in the same condition. Since it's been sitting for a while empty, you'll want to re-silicone the seams and also make sure everything works if you're planning to pay their $300. I would go price new stuff and figure what kind of savings you'll have. Then decide whether it's worth the price to you, not me or anyone else. Check around your area using a search on ebay, looking in the local papers, garage sales or bulletin boards at your LFS. Also, if you're in or have a local fish club, be sure and check with those people. I cringe seeing the cheap prices tanks and equipment go for on ebay around the country and wish I could be there to buy them all but I can't, I can only deal with what I have around here. For similar comparison, I recently purchased a 65 gallon (55 tall) fairly old just like this 75, Eheim 2203 canister filter, penguin 330 filter, wood stand, glass tops and single fluorescent lamp along with some miscellaneous things like nets, scrubbers, etc. I was tickled to get the tank for $165 on ebay. It had a couple chips in the glass covers, Eheim had a broken tab that was reglued, needed a new o'ring for the housing, tank is fairly scratched up as well. In your area it might have only brought $75 and it might have brought $300, it all depends. Kyle
 
Thanks for the advice so far. It helps a lot to hash it out with people who have some experience with this. I stopped by Petsmart this afternoon and they have a sale going on. One tank caught my eye a bit although it's a little smaller than i was originally looking at. It's a Top Fin 55 gal. (glass) 48x13x18 for $104....comes with double light hoods. I priced a black enclosed particle board stand for $120. I'm kicking around the idea of buying new if I don't get too many more replies. It'd be nice to buy some quality components as long as I can keep the budget from going out of whack too much.

BTW, after reading some of the topics on filtration, I'm leaning towards a XP2 so I get mechanical, chemical, and biologic filtration in one unit. I want live plants and the talk about bio wheels blowing off too much CO2 scared me off. I love my biowheel set up in my Eclipse 12.

Thanks again for any feedback you want to send my way. I'm coachable...LOL!
 
Well I think that for the Stand if it is in good condition It is probably worth well over 100-200 dollars, The tank would go for about 30-75 bucks depending on were you get it, I got my 35 gallon from a garage sale for 10 bucks.
 
You can get the tank only if they will let you have it only, but I would replace the silicone sealant and it is alot of work :eek: if you want to do it but you have to very careful when doing that and I would buy a new filter, heater, and strip lights if the current ones are not in good condition.
 
Good advice from all of you...thank you for the great help. This forum is addicting!

Based on what I've heard back so far, I'm thinking about buying new since I was going to buy new filtration, heating, and other components new anyway. Chances are that an eight-year-old tank might need some work plus the stand might not be too hot.

I mentioned yesterday that I found a 55gal. glass tank with hoods and lights for $104 on sale at Petsmart. They also have a decent particle board stand with cabinets (black) for $120. I'd just have to assemble it but that would give me something to do while I'm doing my first ever fishless cycle....hopefully it doesn't take me six weeks to put it together, lol.

If I end up buying that set up today I'll definitely be posting with more questions concerning the other components I'll need. Early favorites for a filter are the Filstar XP2, or would I need an XP3 for a 55 gal. with live plants? One 200 watt heater or two 100 watt units is something else I'm on the fence about. Thinking about Visi Therm, Jager, or Rena Cal submersibles(sp?).

Thanks for the help and please let me know if it looks like I'm on the right track with my thinking.
 
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UPDATE: I decided to take the plunge and just brought home a 55 gal glass tank from Petsmart. They were having a sale so I picked it up along with a nice stand that I'll have to assemble. I'm excited to get it up and running....especially since I'm a LOT smarter about cycling than a few short weeks ago.

Unfortunatley I started my Eclipse 12 back up from scratch before learning about this forum a few weeks ago. The good news is that I just did another water test after a PWC earlier today and it looks like my cycle is definitely complete...0 amonia, 0 nitrItes, and trace nitrAtes. I just wish the mollies, platy, oto's, and ADF didn't have to deal with my learning curve. Fortunatley, they are all doing great. Hopefully the platy will decide to release her fry soon.

As soon as I get the stand put together and I put in a big order to Big Al's, I'll be ready to start my first fishless cycle. I think I've read the sticky about five times.
 
Yeah I too was looking at buying second hand. Today I looked at the tank I wanted and the guy knocked me back wanting $600 AUS thats about $450 US I think. The tank was a 4x2x2 120Gal for those that havn't seen my torrent of related threads lately. I told him he must be mad as it was only fetching $350 AUS on Ebay and I can get a new one for $650 AUS.

The tank looked awesome but it didn't have a hood. To me that just isn't good enough.

Anyway, a friend of mine mentioned a pet shop in Newcastle (an hour and a half from Sydney). They only want $350 AUS for a cabinet, tank and hood 4x2x2. Awesome or what? Going up there ASAP to get it. Have to get my mate to drive me in his station wagon.

More importantly what should I make sure it has? I have checked the glass is 10mm and I have asked whether the base is tempered. Should/must the base be made of tempered glass? Also should the glass have extra support at the corners or is plain silicon ok? Should it have support across the center in the middle? etc etc

I will check the base has support in the middle so 6 legs not just 4. Any suggestions would be great.

Colt :D
 
I know its not the same size, but I bought a 60 gallon with stand on ebay for 100$, it was a good deal, but people are afraid of used, so they want it cheap!
Good luck
 
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