Best time to buy reefing equipment?

Michael W. · Oct 25, 2018

I am getting ready to start my first saltwater tank but since my funds are sort of limited I'm wondering if there are any good times to purchase stuff for aquariums (or the aquariums themselves). I'm looking at Innovative Marine aquariums (mainly the 20 fusion and 30L) and they are pretty expensive but they have the looks I want and the features. I know some people here may recommend looking at used aquariums or less costly brands but for this thread, let's just assume I have my heart set on these aquariums. With the holidays coming up I was thinking online retailers may drop their prices (Black friday, after holidays) and I'm willing to wait and save money until even after the holidays have finished if it means saving a couple bucks. Anyone have any knowledge on good times to buy?

don_chuwish · Oct 25, 2018

November Bulk Reef Supply 'Black Friday' sales are hard to beat. Can't say if the IM tanks will have any price breaks but a lot of other stuff does.

Dramad1 · Oct 25, 2018

Around the holidays is always a good time to get a deal. Before or during aquarium related events (macna, rap,max etc). Used equipment on the forums.

DougBouma · Oct 25, 2018

Right before a major show when everyone needs money to participate. Before MCNA and Reefapalooza you could find crazy deals from people that were going.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 25, 2018

During major trade shows and holidays

Ron Reefman · Oct 25, 2018

Buying used in the days and even up to 2 or 3 months after the holidays. People get new aquariums for Christmas and then decide for whatever reason they don't want them. Or they get new and the sell off the old. The used market is where the serious deals are. If you can search regularly on Craigslist, any local club website or even here at R2R, and be patience until the deal you want comes along, you can be rewarded with a killer deal.

siggy · Oct 25, 2018

Black Friday is huge, In fact the sales got me back in after a 10 year Hiatus. I bought a years worth of salt last year and I have 1 maybe 2 WC left ...Perfect timing its almost here!

don_chuwish · Oct 25, 2018

I continue to be amazed at what prices some things demand even ‘used’. Very often I’ve hunted the listings only to find at best 20% off new. Might as well wait for a 10% or 15% off new sale to come along at that point. But other buyers scoop them up. Can’t argue with market forces!

Billldg · Oct 25, 2018

In about 3 weeks, Black Friday for BRS starts early and runs for several days. Map items usually go on sale also during this time.

Porpoise Hork · Oct 25, 2018

If you're up to buying used equipment, the best time to look for them is right at the end of winter beginning of spring. You can usually score some sweet deals on Craigslist or the local for sale apps.

Oddly people will decide over the winter that they are done with the hobby and tend to shut their systems down, then when spring hits they don't want to mess with it any more and sell the equipment for cheap.

Ron Reefman · Oct 25, 2018

don_chuwish said:
I continue to be amazed at what prices some things demand even ‘used’. Very often I’ve hunted the listings only to find at best 20% off new. Might as well wait for a 10% or 15% off new sale to come along at that point. But other buyers scoop them up. Can’t argue with market forces!

That's amazing because here in SW Florida you could buy a new Red Sea system and never unpack it. Try and sell it two months later and you'd be lucky to get 60% of what it cost new!

HB AL · Oct 25, 2018

I bought my current tank a few years back on Black Friday at my lfs, a 92g Cadlights, stand, sump, return pump for $699, went in to just get some frags and ended up buying a new tank, the deal was just to good to pass up.

Pbh-reef · Oct 25, 2018

Live aquaria and Forster and smith website often have 15-25% off coupons

Katrina71 · Oct 25, 2018

When your husband isn't home.

Florida Sunshine · Oct 25, 2018

That's how I got my 90.

toti21 · Oct 25, 2018

Best time to buy reefing equipment is when you really need it and not if you really want it.

Oshengems · Oct 25, 2018

Used- summer time on CL local reef forums and sale trade forums, also picked up a Kessil A160 on the letgo app, new I seen specials now during the holidays Black Friday

Michael W. · Oct 25, 2018

don_chuwish said:
I continue to be amazed at what prices some things demand even ‘used’. Very often I’ve hunted the listings only to find at best 20% off new. Might as well wait for a 10% or 15% off new sale to come along at that point. But other buyers scoop them up. Can’t argue with market forces!

I still think %15-20 off is pretty good. I was looking for anything other than retail cause saving a few bucks in this hobby every here and there can build up.

Imran Sid’s · Oct 26, 2018

I have been looking Black Friday deal for years now days there is not much difference on equipment price but you can sure look for whole setup deals on craglist and u will sure get it

Michael W. · Oct 26, 2018

Imran Sid’s said:
I have been looking Black Friday deal for years now days there is not much difference on equipment price but you can sure look for whole setup deals on craglist and u will sure get it

I'm looking more for deals on tank and stand (and maybe lights) if that's what you're referring to.