used tanks and equipment?

Do you recommend buying used tanks?

  • Yes, the low price is worth it.

    Votes: 48 78.7%

  • No, it's too risky.

    Votes: 13 21.3%
  • Total voters
    61
plah831

plah831

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Apr 29, 2006
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Monterey Bay, CA
I've noticed a lot of people advocating using Craigslist to find used tanks and supplies. The low prices are tempting, but I'm wary of the possibility that they may have used copper meds. It kind of feels like buying used underwear to me: a fish tank is intimate.

So I'm wondering what you guys think. Buy used and risk it, or go all new and pay the full price?

Also, are there any other concerns I should be worried about with used tanks?

If you would like to discuss the safety of a used tank as opposed to used accessories (filters, canopies, etc.), please elaborate because I want to know that, too. For example, are used filters OK, but used tanks not?
 
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I have bought a few used tanks from craigs list, and I have never had any problems.

And as the person above me said, Most of the time under 1$ a gallon you cant beat it.
 
I always pick up used tanks, and have never had a problem with any of them. I do leave the ones that you can tell were used for "other than fish" tanks. You never know what could be in those tanks. It's usually easy to tell them apart. Usually they have the plastic rim chewed and there always seems to be some left over wood shavings in the tank. Those are usually 10gal tanks too so it's no big deal to pass them up because a new 10gal is only like $7 around me. Just last week I picked up 5 20gal and 3 10gal tanks for $16.
 
Used stuff rocks! They're dirt cheap, and occassionally free.

I have no qualms about it, but I do suggest making sure all equipment works, and checking that the tank doesn't leak.

I got a 55 with all equipment (including a stand) for only $70! The filter leaked however, but it was nothing a little DIY couldn't fix. ;)

Heaters are the equipment that don't work the most often, it may be a good idea not buying used heaters.
 
All but one of my tanks and most of the equipment I use on them came used, and I haven't expierienced any major problems with them. Just like Mgamer, I most likely wouldn't be able to afford all my tanks and equipment if I bought it new. However, there is a few things you should be woried about:

1) unwanted objects in the substrate: make sure you rinse and sort through the gravel/decor to remove any unwanted/harmfull objects. WIth most tanks, I found that this wasn't really nessisary, but the one time I didn't do it, I found a beer-bottle cap in the gravel when I redid the tank 1-2 months later becuase of planaria (I was slacking off on the water changes a bit back then).

2) The tank leaks, equipment doesn't work,ect... : obviouly it's a good idea to make sure everything works, and if not take that into consideration when deciding wether or not it's a good deal.

3) copper: this hasn't been a problem with any of my used tanks (I think I've gotten my hands on 6-8 used tanks), but the possibility is always there. A good way to determine wether or not the tank is safe for inverts/copper free is to set up the tank and through in some snails. Wait a few days - if the snails die, it's unsafe, if they live, it's safe. However, I personally haven't done this - I'm usually to anxious to set the tank up and give the fish in a smaller tank an uprgade - however I keep snails in all my tanks, so I'll know if it's OK after a few days.
 
Thanks so much for the input, DF! I was thinking to test for copper, that I'd use some ghost shrimp and see how they react.

Well, I think that settles it. My next tank will be used.

As for testing for leaks, etc. Is it rude if I ask to do that in the presence of the seller, so I don't walk off with a leaky tank?
 
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