Finding gently used tank and equipment.

[lstmysock11]

Is it possible and safe to try to get some used equipment/tank to try to save money on startup. Would have to be in my local area. See lots of tanks being sold on facebook market place but god knows what you will get. How can you find out if the tank does not leak? Ask that it be filled with at least tap water to find out?

Andrew

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've bought many small tanks from local online classifieds, never had an issue. Also, these days during pandemic all the meet ups are curbside, so hard to see it filled with water

 

[southerntnreefer]

My first tank was a standard 90 gallon i bought for 100 bucks off craigslist. Still was beautiful.... nothing wrong with used gear at all!

 

[mike550]

Absolutely possible to get started with used gear. As far as tanks go, I’d want to leak test it but as @LordofCinder points out I’m not sure how you do this with Covid. I’m seeing a lot of tanks and stands up for sale in Chicago through a local FB group. Some are selling complete systems that they‘re taking down for one reason or another.

Depending upon the size of tank you want to buy a lot of stores have tank sales like $1 / gallon.

 

[Deezill]

Is it possible and safe to try to get some used equipment/tank to try to save money on startup. Would have to be in my local area. See lots of tanks being sold on facebook market place but god knows what you will get. How can you find out if the tank does not leak? Ask that it be filled with at least tap water to find out?

Andrew

too bad you are not in Chicago I have a 150 reef ready tank with sump in my garage you could put some cash on the ground and haul it out cause it's taking up my parking space.

 

[Jekyl]

I was in that same thought starting out. I ended up buying my tank new. Better to be 100% sure on something holding that much water in my living room. Other areas I saved on. Ended up with a 90 gallon in wall tank for under $1000.

 

[lstmysock11]

too bad you are not in Chicago I have a 150 reef ready tank with sump in my garage you could put some cash on the ground and haul it out cause it's taking up my parking space.

Wish I was but from Virginia that is a tad bit far. Am looking for about a 50 gallon reed ready tank, Have been thinking about a SCA 50g pnp system but if I could find something for less even better.

 

[lstmysock11]

I was in that same thought starting out. I ended up buying my tank new. Better to be 100% sure on something holding that much water in my living room. Other areas I saved on. Ended up with a 90 gallon in wall tank for under $1000.

Well the tank will be in my room and that is in the basement on a concrete floor. So not worrying about messing up the floor but yes would be good if it does not leak.

 

[mdb_talon]

I have bought countless used tanks over the years and never ran into one that leaked. I leak test all of them outside just in case, but al least in my experience there is very little risk.

 

[Jekyl]

I looked all over the place for a 90 gallon used. The money I would have saved just wasn't justified in going used. Can't remember what people wanted but the new tank wasn't much more. I saved money on my initial hardware as well as building my own stand. Buying complete packages is the easy way but doing it yourself saves a lot

 

[Jekyl]

The SCA 50 costs just about what I spent on my entire 90 gallon initial setup.