Is this a good deal?

[kred47]

Hi, so I was scrolling Facebook marketplace out of boredom and stumbled upon a 40 gallon breeder with a stand and sub already plumbed. I sent the guy a message out of curiosity and he said 200 bucks and the tank is good no cracks or leaks, just might need a bead of silicone on the front trim. I have a 28 gallon cube tank already (bought it used, dirt cheap mostly for included equipment) but it is scratched to hell and I’m getting sick of looking through the scratches. So two questions:

1) is this worth 200 bucks (pics attached below)

2) how hard is it to transfer everything from my cube to the new tank? I have a few fish and corals

 

[3429810]

My first question would be why if the tank is all good it might need a bead of silicone? that would imply it is not all good. Other than that it seems like a good deal as long as you can get it cleaned up nice.

 

[aquaman3680]

Seems like a great deal to me, although if someone is telling you it "might need a bead of silicone", then the tank probably leaks. I would make sure you get it all cleaned up, fill it up with fresh water and do a thorough leak test of the tank before adding in saltwater to make sure it doesn't leak.

Swapping tanks isn't too difficult, get this tank set up next to the other one, let it run for a little bit, then make the transfer to keep things as easy as possible.

I hope that helps!

 

[FurrierTransform]

Is there a protein skimmer in the sump? Is there a return pump in the sump? If so, and you were to buy everything separately, it would be well above $200. Offer the seller $150 and see what happens. As for transferring, I'd fill the new tank and if possible, cycle it. Then treat your current livestock as if you had just brought them home and slowly introduce them to your new tank.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

If the silicon is for the trim ring it’s ok. Inspect the seams for air bubbles and separation in the silicon. It would be a nice upgrade.

 

[nereefpat]

The tank and sump aren't worth a lot. You can get a 40 breeder for 50 bucks at Petco.

Stands are sneaky expensive, so it might be worth it for that. Return pump and/or light might influence me too, if they are quality and are included.

Moving stuff over from a 28 is easy, and a 40 breeder is a great tank for size and dimensions.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I would pass.
D

 

[mdb_talon]

Seems a worthwhile deal to me assuming the "bead of slicone" is really just related to the trim piece.

 

[Dom]

Always be cautious with used tanks that are displayed in pictures with out water.

If I'm interested in this tank, I'm expressing concern that the tank is displayed without water and that it needs silicone. Then offer $125.

Understand that there is some labor involved with resealing the tank: It needs to be thoroughly cleaned. And, I would remove all silicon and reseal the entire tank.

 

[mdb_talon]

The tank and sump aren't worth a lot. You can get a 40 breeder for 50 bucks at Petco.

Lol I need to go to your petco cause they are $110 here and I think $70 something when on sale. Of course then you have to drill it or find someone to drill it. If you already have the tools it not a huge deal, but always some risk. If you dont then thats an extra cost. Then buy bulkheads and plumbing. Those costs add up really quick.

 

[aquaman3680]

Lol I need to go to your petco cause they are $110 here and I think $70 something when on sale. Of course then you have to drill it or find someone to drill it. If you already have the tools it not a huge deal, but always some risk. If you dont then thats an extra cost. Then buy bulkheads and plumbing. Those costs add up really quick.

I was thinking the exact same thing! Same price as you at my local PetCo.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I would rather spend the $300-$400 and make that set up new.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I can get 40b for $40 here yes.
D

 

[nereefpat]

Lol I need to go to your petco cause they are $110 here and I think $70 something when on sale.

They used to count for the $/gal sale, which is a bummer that they don't anymore. I bought mine on sale for 48$ I think, but that was a couple years ago.

When they have their $/gal sale, 40 breeder 55s & 75s are now half off, so I guess that would be 55 bucks now without any additional discounts.

Of course then you have to drill it or find someone to drill it. If you already have the tools it not a huge deal, but always some risk. If you dont then thats an extra cost. Then buy bulkheads and plumbing. Those costs add up really quick.

Overflows can be 1-200 bucks. The one pictured isn't worth that. I'd rather just have a standpipe compared to that big box.

A bulkhead costs five bucks. A 10' stick of 1" PVC at the hardware store is 10 bucks at most.

 

[mdb_talon]

Overflows can be 1-200 bucks. The one pictured isn't worth that. I'd rather just have a standpipe compared to that big box.

A bulkhead costs five bucks. A 10' stick of 1" PVC at the hardware store is 10 bucks at most.

Ya for sure a lot of it is personal preference. I think it is safe to say most of us prefer an overflow box rather than a couple standpipes sticking up the back of the tank though.

Then add in a gate valve and a couple unions and thats another 20 bucks. Add in a couple elbows at a dollar or two a piece. It adds up quickly.

 

[kred47]

If the silicon is for the trim ring it’s ok. Inspect the seams for air bubbles and separation in the silicon. It would be a nice upgrade.

He said it’s for the front and back because of the algae magnet. Not sure what that means, but would this most likely be the trim he is talking about?

 

[mdb_talon]

He said it’s for the front and back because of the algae magnet. Not sure what that means, but would this most likely be the trim he is talking about?

The reference to an algae magnet makes me think he is referencing the bead of silicone on the bottom or side seems getting chewed up and cut into from swiping the magnet which would concern me more

 

[Just John]

The reference to an algae magnet makes me think he is referencing the bead of silicone on the bottom or side seems getting chewed up and cut into from swiping the magnet which would concern me more

Means to me that he didn't take much care to do things right. If he continually hit the silicone on the bottom, then he continually got sand in the scraper and scratched the glass. If it were me, I would assume the tank needs replacing and be happily surprised if it doesn't.

 

[kred47]

The reference to an algae magnet makes me think he is referencing the bead of silicone on the bottom or side seems getting chewed up and cut into from swiping the magnet which would concern me more

This is what I thought as well. I’m going to look at it tomorrow, made no promises of buying it. Really hoping the glass isn’t scratched and the silicone isn’t beaten up to bad. He already said there’s a small scratch on the bottom but you wouldn’t notice unless you’re looking for it. I can live with that, since there’s no way I’m going to be able to find a 40 breeder, stand, sump, overflow box and plumbing for under 400 dollars. So in reality it’s either this tank still has some life to it or I’m stuck with my scratched beyond repair cube.

 

[kred47]

So I picked it up yesterday and Jesus was this weekend non stop work. Happy and proud to say the tanks setup though and I learned a ton.

-bulkhead was cracked so had to learn how to build a down flow from scratch. 4 feet of pvc and 4 trips to Home Depot for new fittings later got it built.

-had to learn how to adjust flow to change the level in the sump. Ya took a while

-had to learn how to transfer 12 animals from a tank to a new tank in a day. By far the most stressful thing I’ve done in the past year

- found out how hard it is to chip dried algae off a tank

-had to repaint the overflow. Was terrifying using spray paint (krylon fusion) inside of an aquarium

all in all I had a blast and am very happy with the new tank. Back is killing me but so what, I got a fantastic new tank. Everyone’s sitting in a bucket right now (feel terrible for them) with a heater, light and little pump. Can’t wait til the new tank comes up to temp and clears up a little, so they can enjoy it.

tons of pics below