What to do with old tank?

Lalaallieu · Dec 22, 2020

I'm upgrading to a 75 in just a few weeks. That means my Fluval in a few weeks will be empty. What do you all do with old tanks? Store them? Resell? I don't think my LFS will give me literally anything for it. I don't feel like there's a very big demand for tanks here, so outside of storing it or putting it on marketplace I am unsure what to do with the old tank once I switch to the new.

vetteguy53081 · Dec 22, 2020

Lalaallieu said:
I'm upgrading to a 75 in just a few weeks. That means my Fluval in a few weeks will be empty. What do you all do with old tanks? Store them? Resell? I don't think my LFS will give me literally anything for it. I don't feel like there's a very big demand for tanks here, so outside of storing it or putting it on marketplace I am unsure what to do with the old tank once I switch to the new.

Now is perfect opportunity to maitain a quarantine tank thats already mature

ApoIsland · Dec 22, 2020

I have kept my old tank in the closet/storage in case of emergency. Never had to use it but nice knowing it’s there.

Lalaallieu · Dec 22, 2020

Would it matter that the QT tank is 13.5 gallons? Not big enough for some fish?

terraincognita · Dec 22, 2020

You can do a lot of things.

1. resell on this forum for a good price. This could help new or reefers wanting to get back in get into the hobby at a decent price point which karma will always pay it forward.

2. start up a species specific tank. A lot of reefers after awhile will end up finding some nifty invert, or fish they want to take care of that needs specific living requirements, little tanks like this make great options for something like that, like a mantis shrimp.

3. QT/Hospital tank

4. frag tank

terraincognita · Dec 22, 2020

Lalaallieu said:
Would it matter that the QT tank is 13.5 gallons? Not big enough for some fish?

Unless you’re buying full grown or young adult fish a 13.5 is fine for any QT of fish. I wouldn’t put more than 2 or 3.

but you could QT almost any Juvi fish in here just fine. It’s very temporary.

not ideal but 100% okay

Udest · Dec 22, 2020

again with the species tank , you could keep a nifty hitch hiker tank too stuff like mantis shrimp and majano's come to mind.

Peace River · Dec 22, 2020

terraincognita said:
You can do a lot of things.

1. resell on this forum for a good price. This could help new or reefers wanting to get back in get into the hobby at a decent price point which karma will always pay it forward.

2. start up a species specific tank. A lot of reefers after awhile will end up finding some nifty invert, or fish they want to take care of that needs specific living requirements, little tanks like this make great options for something like that, like a mantis shrimp.

3. QT/Hospital tank

4. frag tank

All good options! Another thought is simply to have two tanks...then three...then...well you get the point!

Multiple Tanks Syndrome (MTS) is real!

Devaji · Dec 22, 2020

ask your self this...do you have the time to take care of another tank?
if so then use it as a QT tank to stock the new one...congrats on the upgrade BTW

then do something fun with the little guy like a macro tank or dwarf sea horse ( if you have tons of time) or evern a planted FW tank.

if the answer is no...use as a QT tank then store if you have the space for hospital tank or if the 75 leaks

OR could always do a raffel for new people getting in...someone could get a tank and you might get a few bucks to help stock the new one.

Daniel@R2R · Dec 23, 2020

Hoard it like the rest of us. ;Hilarious

tautog83 · Dec 23, 2020

Make a simple freshwater shrimp tank lol ... did I just say that on here ...gtg

Cell · Dec 23, 2020

If you dont want it and dont want to store it, sell it, or better yet, frag it forward!
Otherwise great suggestions already given, QT tank, phyto/rotifer tank, small frag tank etc...

Fish man · Dec 30, 2020

It'll come in handy some time. I had an old 20 gal that I made into my sump. I have a 5 gal that I keep live feeders in for my dwarf lion. I have a 10 gal with a HOB filter that I can set up in about 15 minutes for a QT. I keep some live rock in my sump so when I need a QT I do a 10 gal water change from my DT, use that water and the rock from the sump for an instant QT. I kept my 55 gal from when I did an upgrade that I'm thinking of doing a planted FW.

Super Fly · Dec 30, 2020

If it was me, I'd use the fluval as an ATO container for the 75 G

leptang · Dec 30, 2020

I have a few old tanks im planning on taking them apart and using the glass as baffles in a sump build im about to do.

Kris 2020 · Dec 30, 2020

Last tank I sold at a steep discount to a veteran who was wanting back into the hobby after returning from overseas. Great hobby for ptsd.

zalick · Dec 30, 2020

I keep a couple old tanks in attic for quarantine tanks.

X-37B · Dec 30, 2020

I gave my 18" cubed nano to someone wanting to get into the hobby. It helped them get started and the money they were saving for a tank went to getting the tank up and running the right way from the start.

zalick · Dec 30, 2020

90's reefer said:
I gave my 18" cubed nano to someone wanting to get into the hobby. It helped them get started and the money they were saving for a tank went to getting the tank up and running the right way from the start.

Love this. Ive given away a few tanks and equipment over the years in similar fashion. Great way to help beginners get involved!