CL setup.. any pointers/thoughts?

[crock921]

I found this biocube 29 setup on craigslist.

its a 4 year old oceanic biocube with the biocube skimmer and uv sterilizer. There are the 10,000k and actinic 36w. The stand comes with it as well.

The seller offered to throw in some LR for me to cycle. The tank has been unplugged and unused for about a year. I have attached a couple photos.

Asking price is $250. Any thoughts? Decent deal?

Anything I should check/look out for when I go to check it out? I don't really know the problem parts on these tanks, or what is bad news on LR.

I plan on setting it up as my first tank, so about 30lbs rock, 1" sand. Down the road I plan to add simple coral and a couple fish after the cuc has done it's work.

thanks for helping a newb!

 

[crock921]

ttt.

any help would be great. It seems to be a bargain. I went to multiple lfs today, and a new setup with stand is over $500, and that is without the uv and skimmer (although it isnt the greatest one out there).

 

[Moorepower]

I think 250 is a bit high. I got mine off CL and its a 75 gallon complete set up for $400

Also dried live rock= just plain old rock. So don't think it's an awesome deal because it saved you live rock. You can use normal rocks just get the bio live germs start up bottle.
I forget the name.

Problem parts check all pumps make sure they work even if you have to add water to the tank to test. If they have bio wheels make sure they spin freely and do not bind up. Make sure the skimmer makes lots of tiny bubbles and you can adjust the water flow rate (might be preset on bio cubes)

 

[Kairus]

I'd probably try to get him down on the price a little. The Biocube skimmer is an airstone based skimmer, so it's pretty hard to break one of them. The return pump can be upgraded to an MJ1200 for cheap as it's a better pump. You'll probably want to change the bulb on the UV sterilizer, it's most likely past its useful life.

 

[Sk8r]

THis is a nice 'first' tank, suitable for inverts, etc, or very small fishes like blennies, gobies, maybe a clown pair...nothing that grows beyond 3". That way when you ultimately get your 'big' tank you can move them with you. You might offer a little less and see what happens, but it looks clean...I take it since he has live rock, that he moved on to a larger tank. That might be a good relationship to cultivate: a local friend in the hobby is a great resource.

 

[crock921]

good call on the pumps.

i found the mj1200 for about $30. I want to add a koralia 420, which is another $20 or so.

I will see if I can get it for $200 with some rock. The seller is running a 55g now, so the rock is still "live". Does it need water movement, or can I leave it in filled water buckets for a few days without hurting it?

 

[crock921]

THis is a nice 'first' tank, suitable for inverts, etc, or very small fishes like blennies, gobies, maybe a clown pair...nothing that grows beyond 3". That way when you ultimately get your 'big' tank you can move them with you. You might offer a little less and see what happens, but it looks clean...I take it since he has live rock, that he moved on to a larger tank. That might be a good relationship to cultivate: a local friend in the hobby is a great resource.

Thanks!
I plan on it being primarily a reef tank, so yes, a clown or two, a gobie, and maybe one other small fish would be about all the fish I would be adding. Like you said, primarily inverts such as shrimp, crabs, snails, and an urchin or starfish along with the soft coral that I can grow.

 

[Stepho725]

Thats a bit high without any upgrades or mods honestly. But guess it depends where you are located....a brand new one is only $400 with stand and this is the older version so honestly not a great price but...less expensive than new. Good luck.

 

[Stepho725]

Live rock would need warmth, movement & light to remain live I believe btw.

 

[Stepho725]

Oh yes, $200 is more fair with stand included. If you feel like you can wait I bet you would be able to find one inexpensive with some modifications/upgrades.

 

[ReefNole]

Check around the other ads on CL. If there are bigger setups for around the same price point, you can use that as leverage. There are plenty of people on here with similar tanks if you want to get a feel for what you can do with a tank of that size. But as always with CL, don't take the first offer without trying to go lower. Oh, and if he's giving you live rock out of his 55, I'd try to get as much as he's willing to give (he may negotiate this if not $$). Good luck!

 

[crock921]

being in wisconsin, pickings are slim. I will work the price as much as i can! I thought about a new one, but would rather put the 200-300 into upgrades.

 

[crock921]

So I can get a brand new one on sale for 235 right now. Basically, for the extra $15 I get a stand, corallife skimmer and sterilizer. Are the led light upgrades and hinge feature of the new tanks worth it?

 

[R20]

In my opinion corallife skimmers are junk and you dont need to run a sterilizer if the new tank has leds go with the new one leds are a lot better than florescent. florescent will work but they are not as good depends on how bad you want the stand. another thing to consider is the bulbs are probably old and need to be replaced and they cost 30 bucks or more i bet and the return pump is used also. New the pump is new the lights are better if led or at least new if florescent and a new ballast and no need to have to clean it.

 

[TigeBell]

IMO, you don't need a skimmer on the biocube. Just do weekly water changes and you will be perfectly fine. I have had mine for 2.5 years and things are good My only complaint would be that the light isn't strong enough for what I want to put into the tank (example: Magnifica Anenome).

 

[crock921]

Yeah, I found a diy on here for a stand. I'll do that so I can match the rest of the furniture color. Makes for less to sell if I ever want to upgrade! Plus being that it's 4 years old, I could start to have failing parts

 

[davocean]

Yeah, I found a diy on here for a stand. I'll do that so I can match the rest of the furniture color. Makes for less to sell if I ever want to upgrade! Plus being that it's 4 years old, I could start to have failing parts

Agree on that, I'm not a fan of MDF stands at all, not meant to last.

 

[crock921]

I built a beast of a stand! It is only framed out right now, but I will post in the nano boards. Also only about $30 and my qt will fit underneath!