Seeking Honest advice

SerenityDreamer · Jul 21, 2016

Hi all,

I used to have a tank, then I woke up one day and decided that I had to get rid of it ASAP. So, I did and now I regret it .

I feel that it is the right time to become a tank owner again. Now I am facing a few dilemmas and I need honest advice.

I cannot decide wether to purchase a new tank & stand and all else. (And reuse some of my equipment that hopefully still work, trickle filter, protein skimmer)

Or to purchase a used (what I think is a JBL )nano Cube 28g which comes with a chiller and more (please see picture for what this person is selling tank with) They are asking $300 for all which I think is a good price..

Please give me your honest advice on what is best to do..

If I purchase a new one I was looking at purchasing the 30g tank and stand at Petco.

BRB · Jul 21, 2016

the tank new is like what $200?
sand and fish and rock easily another $100+++
skimmer, filter, heater, powerhead, lights, etc easily another $200++

Kungpaoshizi · Jul 21, 2016

After getting burned once, I'll never buy a used tank again. And if I were in your shoes, I would get a 40 breeder.

jaws789832 · Jul 21, 2016

Thats a pretty good deal. Tank is about 400 new. 700 for the professional (has a better light). Sounds like you will have to replace the light so that will run you a couple of hundred at least. You can get a DIY retrofit for the light probably a little cheaper. The question you have to ask yourself is do you want a tank that is fully stocked right from the get go, or do you want to build your own and stock it as you choose? My jbj 28 intermediate cost me over 1000 when it was all said and done, not including livestock.

BRB · Jul 21, 2016

Kungpaoshizi said:
After getting burned once, I'll never buy a used tank again. And if I were in your shoes, I would get a 40 breeder.

what did they do to you?

BummersReef · Jul 21, 2016

IMO $300 is a lot for such a small tank. It all depends on the condition of the equipment! if the skimmer, lights, powerhead, etc are in VERY GOOD condition, I would said it is worth considering. (does it have a stand? you should get a stand for that price) But you need a white light so you are gonna have to buy that new. Regardless, I would strongly consider not taking the livestock, especially the live sand (I have heard never get used sand). If you can see the stuff in person and it looks clean and appears relatively new, I'd offer $175 for everything minus the livestock and rock. But only if you have confidence it truly is in great condition. I'd want to see it up and running. (It won't cost much to put your own rock and sand in and used rock and sand can hold all kinds of things you didn't bargain for). But if you do go new, I agree with kungpao ... go bigger and get the 40 breeder. they are very popular and will give you much more room to work with.
we bought used with our 125 tank and stand and overpaid but all in all, glad we went used as all the other stuff that we wanted new is so expensive. Go used for the tank and put your money in really good light ....

Robink · Jul 21, 2016

Yes, were you looking for a small tank? Because I think once you had it going you'd want a bigger one anyway...
and if you still have good equipment it should be ok to use.

Robink · Jul 21, 2016

Oops I was reading too fast and just saw you want a 30 gallon.

Kungpaoshizi · Jul 21, 2016

BRB said:
what did they do to you?

After pics looked ok, got to see the tank after driving 4 hours. Silicone was falling apart. Of course the pics looked a little different and they thought it was just fine.

jaws789832 · Jul 21, 2016

There is a lot to consider there. The jbj 28 nano cube is an all in one tank. its well built and works great. If you go with a 40 (or any tank that isn't a all in one) you have to think about things like do you want a sump? are you going to drill it (preferred) or use a syphon overflow (can lead to problems). You will need a sump tank (DIY or premade). Skimmer, heater, return pump, powerheads, chiller or fans to cool it, live rock, sand, that's not to mention the biggie, the light for it. Money wise that will add up fast.

Tanked_Life · Jul 21, 2016

@SerenityDreamer Speaking from experience, and since you already have experience with tanks, I am sure you would agree with me that If you are going to drop some money on a reef tank then you should buy all new and get the CORRECT set up from the start. As we all know, a bad tank is nothing but a black hole that sucks up every penny you own. If you spend the extra bucks in the beginning, the cost later on will be reduced substantially.

Brian Treadwell · Jul 21, 2016

I purchased a used and stock 90 gallon with live stock , sump and all the equipment you needed to have a tank up and going , do not reuse the substrate I did and fighting that battle everyday , I only paid 600.00 hundred for everything. You will replace equipment I did and now have about 2 thousand into it now that is including the purchase. Used is a good way to go but be very careful , because do you Want to start with someone else's idea of a reef are your own.

Taso1 · Jul 21, 2016

never buy used tank & supplies. If it is ONE thing, maybe a used skimmer, or a light that you test, MAYBE. I'd never buy a used tank.

FMF0331 · Jul 21, 2016

I would go with a new tank and new everything else .. it's a peace of mind in the long run. Nothing in this hobby is cheap, but I'm sure you're aware of that.

SerenityDreamer · Jul 21, 2016

jaws789832 said:
Thats a pretty good deal. Tank is about 400 new. 700 for the professional (has a better light). Sounds like you will have to replace the light so that will run you a couple of hundred at least. You can get a DIY retrofit for the light probably a little cheaper. The question you have to ask yourself is do you want a tank that is fully stocked right from the get go, or do you want to build your own and stock it as you choose? My jbj 28 intermediate cost me over 1000 when it was all said and done, not including livestock.

Kungpaoshizi said:
After getting burned once, I'll never buy a used tank again. And if I were in your shoes, I would get a 40 breeder.

thats something i am worried about.....
I can't see it. Is a final sale "as is"
And those are the questions i had.... Maybe i want to start from scratch

SerenityDreamer · Jul 21, 2016

FMF0331 said:
I would go with a new tank and new everything else .. it's a peace of mind in the long run. Nothing in this hobby is cheap, but I'm sure you're aware of that.

Yes.... I know it can get expensive

But i Also know it is more rewarding when you see your work

SerenityDreamer · Jul 21, 2016

Kungpaoshizi said:
After getting burned once, I'll never buy a used tank again. And if I were in your shoes, I would get a 40 breeder.

That is not a bad idea....

BummersReef · Jul 22, 2016

Serenity - lol as you can see there are lots of differing honest opinions here at R2R ... But these people are great and always willing to help and advise. The new vs used debate will always be there. But you can find good used tanks and as tanks are so expensive new it can make sense to buy it used as long as you can be assured it doesn't leak.
Here is our 125 gallon drilled acrylic tank and oak stand that we got used for 800. An un-drilled acrylic of same size sells for over $1,000 not to even mention an oak stand and canopy - the whole thing would have been well over 3,000 new. But we saw it up and working before we got it.

donnievaz · Jul 22, 2016

Taso1 said:
never buy used tank & supplies. If it is ONE thing, maybe a used skimmer, or a light that you test, MAYBE. I'd never buy a used tank.

I feel the exact opposite. There are so many good deals to be had on used tanks out there from people that upgrade or leave the hobby that it's crazy to pay for brand new equipment. The key is to know what you're looking for and have patience. Don't just jump on the first thing you see on Craigslist.