Brand new, need help

awrig · Jun 15, 2023

I posted yesterday in the meet and greet and was impressed at the amount of support! I’m brand new to this. I had a small freshwater aquarium growing up but I want to build a saltwater tank with some coral and fish for my kids and have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to build a bigger tank from the beginning I think. I was wondering if this might be a decent deal to start with? Any thoughts are appreciated!

125gal Aquarium Reef - general for sale - by owner

Located Near here 11002 S Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77031 United 125gal Reef Aquarium Includes: * 125gal custom reef ready trimmless Aquarium! 82” x 18 x 21” * Black Background * Crushed Coral...

houston.craigslist.org

KrisReef · Jun 15, 2023

I think that tank for free would be a bad deal, but I would take the rock and throw the rest away.

For clarity, the tank isn't growing coral, the light is too old and dysfunctional to count for anything, etc.

Used is cool, but look for a set up that is working now, with someone who needs to let it go now. The CL tank you posted isn't working. YOu would be better off buying new to start, with the extra cost but a real chance of having a successful tank when you are done.

Bottom line, don't buy other peoples junk, buy "THe working Goods"

HTH.

Kristopher Conlin · Jun 15, 2023

I agree with krisreef. Buying someone else's failed project can make your first tank a lot harder.

Buying a just a used empty tank can be good but buying used and especially still wet sand, substrate or rock can be very messy and lead to a lot of issues.

If you were to buy the rock you would want to cure it for a while before setting up the tank to get rid of any dead and decaying organics from the old tank. This is usually done by keeping the rock in something like a gray brute container with heated saltwater and water movement for a couple months.

awrig · Jun 15, 2023

KrisReef said:
I think that tank for free would be a bad deal, but I would take the rock and throw the rest away.

For clarity, the tank isn't growing coral, the light is too old and dysfunctional to count for anything, etc.

Used is cool, but look for a set up that is working now, with someone who needs to let it go now. The CL tank you posted isn't working. YOu would be better off buying new to start, with the extra cost but a real chance of having a successful tank when you are done.

Bottom line, don't buy other peoples junk, buy "THe working Goods"

HTH.

Oh wow thanks so much! I will definitely avoid this! I think you saved me a big headache. Honestly I’ve thought about just buying everything brand new but I’m not sure. I’ll keep looking and be patient!

awrig · Jun 15, 2023

Kristopher Conlin said:
I agree with krisreef. Buying someone else's failed project can make your first tank a lot harder.

Buying a just a used empty tank can be good but buying used and especially still wet sand, substrate or rock can be very messy and lead to a lot of issues.

If you were to buy the rock you would want to cure it for a while before setting up the tank to get rid of any dead and decaying organics from the old tank. This is usually done by keeping the rock in something like a gray brute container with heated saltwater and water movement for a couple months.

Thank you so much for the info!

Kristopher Conlin · Jun 15, 2023

awrig said:
Oh wow thanks so much! I will definitely avoid this! I think you saved me a big headache. Honestly I’ve thought about just buying everything brand new but I’m not sure. I’ll keep looking and be patient!

Being patient is the most important thing in this hobby. So that's a very good idea. Just keep on eye on different used marketplaces and I'm sure you will find some good deals! Reef2Reef has a good marketplace as well you should check out.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jun 15, 2023

awrig said:
Thank you so much for the info!

I see you're in Houston... Lots of good tank deals to be had here. Let me know if you need any help

awrig · Jun 17, 2023

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So I found this one but I’m not sure what any of the equipment is or if this might be a good deal for this price? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Dan_P · Jun 17, 2023

awrig said:
I posted yesterday in the meet and greet and was impressed at the amount of support! I’m brand new to this. I had a small freshwater aquarium growing up but I want to build a saltwater tank with some coral and fish for my kids and have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to build a bigger tank from the beginning I think. I was wondering if this might be a decent deal to start with? Any thoughts are appreciated!

125gal Aquarium Reef - general for sale - by owner

Located Near here 11002 S Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77031 United 125gal Reef Aquarium Includes: * 125gal custom reef ready trimmless Aquarium! 82” x 18 x 21” * Black Background * Crushed Coral...

houston.craigslist.org

Go smaller and brand new if you are new to saltwater. You will have a steep learning curve and you don’t need to add dealing with old equipment. $1200 seems too steep anyway.

Uncle99 · Jun 17, 2023

awrig said:
I posted yesterday in the meet and greet and was impressed at the amount of support! I’m brand new to this. I had a small freshwater aquarium growing up but I want to build a saltwater tank with some coral and fish for my kids and have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to build a bigger tank from the beginning I think. I was wondering if this might be a decent deal to start with? Any thoughts are appreciated!

125gal Aquarium Reef - general for sale - by owner

Located Near here 11002 S Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77031 United 125gal Reef Aquarium Includes: * 125gal custom reef ready trimmless Aquarium! 82” x 18 x 21” * Black Background * Crushed Coral...

houston.craigslist.org

I like the tank and the stand and if seals look good and no cracks or big scratches, $500.

awrig · Jun 17, 2023

Dan_P said:
Go smaller and brand new if you are new to saltwater. You will have a steep learning curve and you don’t need to add dealing with old equipment. $1200 seems too steep anyway.

Thanks!

littlefoxx · Jun 17, 2023

awrig said:
I posted yesterday in the meet and greet and was impressed at the amount of support! I’m brand new to this. I had a small freshwater aquarium growing up but I want to build a saltwater tank with some coral and fish for my kids and have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to build a bigger tank from the beginning I think. I was wondering if this might be a decent deal to start with? Any thoughts are appreciated!

125gal Aquarium Reef - general for sale - by owner

Located Near here 11002 S Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77031 United 125gal Reef Aquarium Includes: * 125gal custom reef ready trimmless Aquarium! 82” x 18 x 21” * Black Background * Crushed Coral...

houston.craigslist.org

So it depends on what it comes with. I bought someones used 125 six foot tank. Came with everything! The tank itself is great. Always ask to see it before you buy. If its up and running thats the best test. However I would not use the rock or sand from the tank. The rocks I got were covered in pyramid snails that eat corals. Had to get rid of it all but still have some in the tank. I lost a lot of corals and the fish in the move from my guy too so just be aware of that part as it complicates things. I think if you go see it and it looks good might be worth jt. You might need to replace some parts or upgrade them but I dont think its horrible to buy a used tank

littlefoxx · Jun 17, 2023

littlefoxx said:
So it depends on what it comes with. I bought someones used 125 six foot tank. Came with everything! The tank itself is great. Always ask to see it before you buy. If its up and running thats the best test. However I would not use the rock or sand from the tank. The rocks I got were covered in pyramid snails that eat corals. Had to get rid of it all but still have some in the tank. I lost a lot of corals and the fish in the move from my guy too so just be aware of that part as it complicates things. I think if you go see it and it looks good might be worth jt. You might need to replace some parts or upgrade them but I dont think its horrible to buy a used tank

From the pictures it looks like you should replace the sump and need to get a protein skimmer. Always check the plumbing outlets or drilled holes for adding a sump. You will need good plumbing

vetteguy53081 · Jun 17, 2023

awrig said:
I posted yesterday in the meet and greet and was impressed at the amount of support! I’m brand new to this. I had a small freshwater aquarium growing up but I want to build a saltwater tank with some coral and fish for my kids and have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to build a bigger tank from the beginning I think. I was wondering if this might be a decent deal to start with? Any thoughts are appreciated!

125gal Aquarium Reef - general for sale - by owner

Located Near here 11002 S Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77031 United 125gal Reef Aquarium Includes: * 125gal custom reef ready trimmless Aquarium! 82” x 18 x 21” * Black Background * Crushed Coral...

houston.craigslist.org

Fair deal but 125g is 72" and not 82"

awrig · Jun 17, 2023

littlefoxx said:
So it depends on what it comes with. I bought someones used 125 six foot tank. Came with everything! The tank itself is great. Always ask to see it before you buy. If its up and running thats the best test. However I would not use the rock or sand from the tank. The rocks I got were covered in pyramid snails that eat corals. Had to get rid of it all but still have some in the tank. I lost a lot of corals and the fish in the move from my guy too so just be aware of that part as it complicates things. I think if you go see it and it looks good might be worth jt. You might need to replace some parts or upgrade them but I dont think its horrible to buy a used tank

Thanks so much!