Has there been a case where a used tank failed you?

[MhysaPizza]

I've been interested in a reef tank for a long time and with a hefty salary increase, big tax returns, and a bonus, I can finally buy one. I still want to save money since corals seem to be insanely expensive. Went to the store today and saw nickel sized frags that were worth over $100.

I'm tempted to buy a used Red Sea tank. I think it's the 250 (need clarification but pics look like the 250). I can save a good $400 if I buy used. The pics on Craigslist look good, seller seems cool, and tanks been used for a year.

Before I found this, I was going to get the SCA 50 PNP setup. It's smaller but I think it can fit all of the fish I like. A flame, 2 clownfish, hawkfish, diamond goby, Midas blenny, firefish, and a wrasse. So why get the smaller 50 gallon? It's new.

It looks like many people get used tanks but it's hard for me to get over the fear of a leak or flood. Should I just suck it up and get the used Red Sea tank or go with the new one? If anything, I can just throw $400 at a new Red Sea but $400 isn't chump change.

 

[HB AL]

25 years ago I bought a used acrylic tank, 6 months later, I came home to an empty tank from a full blowout of a seam. I never bought a used tank again and never had a failure. If the tank is clean and not that old it would probably be just fine.

 

[JoshH]

Only used a year? I wouldn't sweat it, just have an eye on the seams when checking the tank out. One advantage the SCA has over the 250 is it's plumbed for a sump which makes equipment options much bigger than an AIO. What's the price on the 250 If you don't mind me asking?

 

[MhysaPizza]

25 years ago I bought a used acrylic tank, 6 months later, I came home to an empty tank from a full blowout of a seam. I never bought a used tank again and never had a failure. If the tank is clean and not that old it would probably be just fine.

Well then. That is scary. Is the fact that your tank was acrylic make a big difference?

 

[MhysaPizza]

Only used a year? I wouldn't sweat it, just have an eye on the seams when checking the tank out. One advantage the SCA has over the 250 is it's plumbed for a sump which makes equipment options much bigger than an AIO. What's the price on the 250 If you don't mind me asking?

Yea 1 year. I think the Red Sea is the one with the sump. Pretty sure it's not the AIO. It's $725 for the white.

 

[cmcoker]

I say the warranty is worth the extra expense. My reefer 250 developed a pin hole leak in the seam about 6 months after setup. A few pics and phone calls and I had a new tank delivered to my door in less than 10 days from the start of the leak.

Red Seas customer support was easy to deal with and made the experience as painless as it could be considering the circumstances.

 

[Palyzoa]

I bought a used tank a year ago and set up, just the other day I found a leak and had to tear it down. $400 is worth the piece of mind A used tank can be a great deal but pay attention to seems or flaking silicon.

 

[tangtime]

A year old tank, no sweat. Every tank I’ve owned has been used and my current 180 was built in 1996 [emoji106]

 

[NinnJinn]

If the tank is already torn down the seller might get upset, but have him do a water test in front of you. And if it is torn down be sure to check the silicone seams and make sure they're nice and tight. Rub the silicone and make sure none of the silicone is peeling away from the tank. If it is then run away.

 

[Palyzoa]

Also, when ever you handle or move a tank you risk popping a seem, more so with used tanks because the silicon is old. So just because it holds water before you buy it, it might not by the time you get it home and set up.

 

[YellowFinsReef]

It's always a gamble for used fish equipment. I've bought used tanks that were in horrible condition but lasted my hobby until I tossed it. I've also bought used tanks in perfect condition and it completely shattered in a matter of a few months.

I'd say that if that's affordable for you, do it. Nowadays, I tend to stay away from used equipments because whatever the previous owner(s) have done to the equipment, I always end up feeling the effects of it.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I would get a new tank. Have you looked into the extra equipment that you will need such as a skimmer, lights, return pump and powerheads, rock, sand, test kits, salt, water or an RO/DI filter? After all is said and done, you will have spent over $2500 for your easily for your tank without putting a fish in it. I think it is better to spend a little more up front than to wish you had different equipment later.

 

[tangtime]

I would get a new tank. Have you looked into the extra equipment that you will need such as a skimmer, lights, return pump and powerheads, rock, sand, test kits, salt, water or an RO/DI filter? After all is said and done, you will have spent over $2500 for your easily for your tank without putting a fish in it. I think it is better to spend a little more up front than to wish you had different equipment later.

$2500? You can setup a complete tank for much much less, if you want the latest and greatest sure, but it’s not necessary.

Noobs to the hobby spend ridiculous amounts of money on equipment to keep up with the “Jones’s”, again it’s an individual preference.

 

[JoshH]

Yea 1 year. I think the Red Sea is the one with the sump. Pretty sure it's not the AIO. It's $725 for the white.

Ohhh it's a reefer 250, thought it might be the max 250. I'd still say go for it. and if the seller is serious he won't mind filling it up for you or atleast he shouldn't mind.

 

[Pntbll687]

New and used tanks fail. It is a roll of the dice as to if it will fail.

I personally have a Deep Sea Aquatics 200g tank, got it used from my mother in law. She got it used from a supplier that had it set up at a trade show and didn't want to re-pack it and ship it out. The tank has a good size scallop taken out of one corner, but has been running for a total of 3 years with no problems, and has been moved multiple times.

I have a customer who ordered a 220g marineland reef ready tank, and it developed a leak along the bottom seam in less than a year. Marineland did send a replacement, and there have been no problems with the replacement tank.

If I were to build a new system, and wanted to save money, I would go with used equipment, but a new tank. The equipment is way easier to replace and usually will not cause much damage if it fails.

 

[dwolson]

I just bought a used RSM 250 myself. It was 4 years old and well established. I like the tank although it runs a little hot and the skimmer isn't the best. Otherwise, I'm happy with my choice.

All this said, you need to consider the condition it's in now. Did the user neglect it?

Dave

 

[SurfLife]

Just my opinion but if am going to take a chance with anything used I would not want it to be the most important and difficult item to replace.

 

[miPapareef]

Congratulations on the all the rewards your getting at work and welcome to the community.

For me, a year and a half into the hobby and after spending way more than 15 times the price of the tank on equipment, the only thing I wonder about is why I didn’t buy a better tank (meaning rimmless, bigger, better stand). I bought a new marineland 75 gallon tank and stand for $225 on sale. My advice is think hard about the size, shape, overflows, and stand because those are very hard to change.

I recommend you prioritize the decision and money towards the tank and stand. You can easily upgrade a used piece of equipment to a new one later, but not easily the tank and stand. Like you said, if it’s hard to get over a fear of used, then avoid that worry. Then about the tank size, just remembered it’s the one decision that’s not easily changed but effects all other decisions like the choices of fish and corals for years to come.

 

[Greybeard]

There are many threads about how expensive this hobby can be... Used gear can drastically reduce that cost, and with the failure rate in this hobby, there's LOTS of used gear around. I don't mind buying used... but I'm real cautious about what I buy used.

My new build, I did not only new, but custom tank. Why? That's what I wanted. If you're not going to be happy with what you are buying, why buy it?
Had a custom steel stand built. Easy, cheap, suited my design... I then spent MONTHS trimming it out the way I wanted it to look.
Bought a very nice, USED skimmer. Vertex 180i. Better than I would have bought, had I bought new. Great deal.
Bought a good USED 8x54 T5 light fixture for $80. Installed new ballasts and bulbs, got great looking, great quality light on the cheap.
Bought a USED 55g tank to use as a sump. Don't care if it's scratched, or what the silicone looks like, as long as it holds water. I did inspect for cracks and chips.

In the end, the glass box is really not going to be a major portion of the expense of a full blown reef aquarium setup. Even if you buy new... even if you buy custom. The other components are going to far exceed the price of that glass box. BUT... the impact that glass box has on the satisfaction you gain from maintaining your very own slice of reef is HUGE.

Folks with a chip in the rim, scratched up glass, ugly silicone job... you have to look at that EVERY TIME you look at your tank. Hey, if it doesn't bother you, fine... it'd bug the heck out of me.

My point is, used is good, but be picky about what components you buy used, and the quality and condition of those components.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have been lucky so far with my used tank. The person before me had it used and I have had it running 10 years no issues except now. It is a glass tank that is like 1" thick and built like a tank back in the 80s. Monster. So, I am going custom because I want to keep my stand and they do not make the dimensions of my tank anymore standard.

Do complete inspection of tank. Ask what was being run in the tank (in case of chemicals still residing). If it is what you always wanted, get it. If you really wanted something else and are settling, I would look on.