Used Equipment Values and Equipment ID

starypotter · Jul 10, 2018

Hi everyone,
So I made a very bad impulse buy tonight getting a used 54 gallon corner setup. The pictures looked good and I measured it all out to go in a specific spot in the room. Measurements all checked out. When I got there the tank just seemed so so much smaller than I had imagined it. It was going to be something I was going to transfer/upgrade my current 29 gallon set up to because of a handful of size placement issues in the room and the current stand it's on. So between it being so much smaller than I had figured, learning that it didn't really mean that I could get any 'next level' fish (I'd been hoping it might mean I could get a yellow tang, I know now that they need length over gallons), and on top of it, it means that my light will no longer work for my setup so long story still long, I'm going to be cleaning up the tank and selling most of it to hopefully get some of my money back for getting a proper setup. No impulse buys this time.

I want to know the value of these items so I could know what I could sell it for and I'm not sure how much these things depreciate once they're used or in the condition they're in. So far I've been putting all of the items in an excel sheet with the prices everything is going for new since I'm not sure if it would be better to just do it as a group, or try to sell some things individually.

So I have...

54 Gallon Aqueon Tank, oak color trim, with build in overflow drilled bottom
- It has all the plumbing, but the return hose from the pipe is a bit split and the return comes out of two of those... black nozels with all of the joints
Oak stand (the only ones online now are made of pine from what I've found)
Glass top for the tank
Pro Clear Aquatic Systems model 75, 300 GPH wet/dry filter with bio balls
- This has a crack in the acrylic near where the pipe goes in, however it's above the water line so it doesn't leak and I could always add a smear of silicone to it for good measure if that'll make a difference
One Tetra 150 Watt Heater
- The black film from the outside has come off, how much of a difference would that make
One Rena Cal 200w Heater
- It's discontinued so I'm guessing that means old, any value there? Black film is also coming off
Coralife light fixture
- I do not know if it's T5 or hallide or anything like that, might just be fluorescent, I went with LED for my tank so I know NOTHING about any of those lights, there's no writing on the fixture other than the name. The bulbs look like this, and they do say 50/50 65 watt
- Fixture is 30" long. It takes two light bulbs each bulb with 2 bulbs of it's own. The bulbs are about 21 inches.
Coralife UV sterilizer 3x
- So uh... it doesn't seem to turn on? I've plugged it in and nothing.
There's also some chemicals and salt but he says the tank has been dry for a year so not so sure if I should just chuck those or not.

If you have any suggestions on ways to sell it, prices to sell it for, or what a good general rule for depreciation is please let me know.

DesertReefT4r · Jul 11, 2018

Pics help.

starypotter · Jul 11, 2018

This is all I have for now, everything is down outside or in the garage at the moment. These are the pictures I have from the online listing.

starypotter · Jul 11, 2018

TLO45 · Jul 11, 2018

Honestly, I think that might be a hard sell. Sorry. Appears to be a power compact lighting fixture which even in their day was not the best. Corner tanks IMO are far from ideal...heck a lot of tanks in general can be tough to sell or even give away. I think what I would do is either post on the sales forum for a price that is half of what you purchased for and go from there. Used equipment that is not “current in technology “ can be tough. If no one hits one it keep discounting it until you get a bite. I’ve dumped numerous tanks in the trash just because no one has interest...even for free. Just my $.02.

ca1ore · Jul 11, 2018

I rarely buy used gear anymore. Mostly the ‘great deals’ are an illusion and you either end up overpaying for crap or incurring the ire of clueless sellers as a ‘lowballer’. I hope you didn’t pay much for all that stuff. It’s mostly junk sorry to say and tanks are tough to sell.

leahfiish · Jul 11, 2018

Lots of people LOVE corner and unusual tank shapes. Clean it up with some vinegar, make it look new, and take good pictures of it in natural lighting, you'll have no problem selling it if you are in an area with a decent aquarium scene.

starypotter · Jul 12, 2018

Tanks do seem to move online where I am, as long as they're not crazy over priced, and there's a pretty big fish scene, well at least what I consider pretty big, LFS had a 9pm-12am 25% off sale the other week and the line was out the door for the whole time practically. I'm hoping that I'll be able to clean it up, I worked on it all afternoon today to make it look good, and hopefully I'll be able to sell it for what I got it for if I'm lucky.
@TLO45 you're making me wish I lived in Wisconsin, well maybe not, I don't exactly love the idea of all that cold. I just need to communicate more with the local fish keeper threads I guess.

Sarah24! · Jul 12, 2018

Hello,

I would honestly try lots of doctors offices and also some hospitals and or counseling places. Where I work and life here in Idaho, my lfs can’t keep used tanks for more than a week. Most of them are being bought by hospitals and counselors or private doctors. Good luck.

starypotter · Jul 12, 2018

Sarah24! said:
Hello,

I would honestly try lots of doctors offices and also some hospitals and or counseling places. Where I work and life here in Idaho, my lfs can’t keep used tanks for more than a week. Most of them are being bought by hospitals and counselors or private doctors. Good luck.

I think it's a great tank for an office, hopefully I'll be able to find something that's good to keep in mind. I think my saving factor is that I'm in the greater NYC area so lots of people and lots of people with the money to buy a fish tank.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 12, 2018

Your best bet is a "OBO" ad. Some of this equipment is outdated or would be suitable as a Hospital or quarantine system.

Forsaken77 · Jul 12, 2018

I'm in the NYC area as well. I think I saw one like that on Craigs List recently. You could always start there, and try eBay (local pickup).

You could also include some extra stuff you have lying around to make it appear more inclusive.

Will a local lfs place buy it or put it on sale on the floor for you for 10% fee?

Personally, you will have a better shot at recouping your money somewhere where people don't know about aquariums, like Craigs List or eBay. An aquarium hobby site will give you a tough time. You need the ignoramies

starypotter · Jul 13, 2018

Forsaken77 said:
I'm in the NYC area as well. I think I saw one like that on Craigs List recently. You could always start there, and try eBay (local pickup).

You could also include some extra stuff you have lying around to make it appear more inclusive.

Will a local lfs place buy it or put it on sale on the floor for you for 10% fee?

Personally, you will have a better shot at recouping your money somewhere where people don't know about aquariums, like Craigs List or eBay. An aquarium hobby site will give you a tough time. You need the ignoramies

That's exactly what I was thinking, I see you're on Long Island, I'm over in NJ. I got mine off facebook, I'm thinking of posting it on that or craigslist, or some of the local selling apps. Never heard of LFS doing it but I think I'd much rather try to find the less informed people. I posted the same question on my local reefing forum and one person was telling me that used tanks should only be $.5o a gallon. Nearly cried.