Is this kit a good deal ?

[Spycee]

I am offered this kit, I will go see it tonight the guy asks around 350$USD for it.

It includes everything. Rocks, fish (2 clowns, 1 blue tang, damsels), shrimps (2 cleaner), anemone, sump, skimmer.

One thing that worries me is the rust on the plumbing... Another thing is the anemone, I never had one and I don't want one, I was always said its not a good idea in an aquarium.

The lighting is supposed to be... Razer ? Don't know that. The tank is supposed to be 5 years old, but the guy only has it since last year. No idea about the skimmer and the rest.

What should I check ?
What should I ask ?

It is still in function, so I must empty it and return home with it. I want to bring back some water too, if not all.

My plan :
Bring back everything
Put a couple rocks and live stock in the sump (something like 65g ?) with the water I brought.
Keep the rest of the rocks in a Rubbermaid bin with a small water pump.
Possibly change the plumbing to get better pipes.
Add new RO water and mix salt directly in the tank.
When I have enough water and identical salinity mix the old water with the new with the rocks and livestock

Is it realist ? Is it too much stress on the livestock ? I don't know someone who could keep the fish while I setup everything.

Or should I just bring back all the water with like 15 Rubbermaid bins and start with it the same day without doing anything ?

I never bought a used kit, and I don't want to miss something important. If it's too complicated I'll just pass but it seems a good deal.

 

[Spycee]

Well ... I never took the time to evaluate if my floor could support a big tank, and I checked it a couple of minutes ago. It would surprise me that it could withstand the weight of 150g + 65g + extras ... So the case is closed I'll check for a smaller tank, and try to reinforce my floor for a bigger tank someday.

I'd delete this useless thread but it seems I can't, so sorry for the waste of space !

 

[Sk8r]

If the floor supports you and a couple of friends sitting in chairs and talking, it probably shouldn't cave in over 150 pounds. Fridges top that easily---what kind of flooring?
The skimmer at least is a good cone type; rust on pipes? WHy is there metal involved? You can't use metal with salt water. Sure it's not just a hose clamp rusting?

 

[ssick92]

If the floor supports you and a couple of friends sitting in chairs and talking, it probably shouldn't cave in over 150 pounds. Fridges top that easily---what kind of flooring?
The skimmer at least is a good cone type; rust on pipes? WHy is there metal involved? You can't use metal with salt water. Sure it's not just a hose clamp rusting?

He said 150g, that is 1250 lbs just in the weight of water... Add in the actual tank, sump, stand, rock, sand, etc. and you are over 2000 lbs.

A tank that big should always have the floor reinforced, especially if on a 2nd floor. Buildings are not designed to have that much load in 1 spot. Spread over a large footprint would be no problem though...

 

[Sk8r]

Ah. 8lbs per gallon x 150---yep. Double fridge---you're right. If you're on concrete or slab, that's not a problem. On wooden subfloor it could be.

 

[Spycee]

If the floor supports you and a couple of friends sitting in chairs and talking, it probably shouldn't cave in over 150 pounds. Fridges top that easily---what kind of flooring?
The skimmer at least is a good cone type; rust on pipes? WHy is there metal involved? You can't use metal with salt water. Sure it's not just a hose clamp rusting?

Like ssick92 said, it's probably over 2000 lb (150g + 65g sump). I'm in the basement, but curiously the wood floor is 6" over the cement foundation, and is kind of badly supported by a couple of 2x4 and some shims. The location I want the tank is parallel with the floor support, which is relatively very spaced. If the tank is on this support there's only the wood floor (1" or less thick ?), nothing under.

Here are some pictures. We can see the wood floor from under and the support which seems to be something like a 3x3.

The rust is seen on the second picture, on the pipes junctions over the sump. Maybe not important, but I noted that from the picture.

 

[Sk8r]

That's kind of strange, at least in structures I'm familiar with, and a little scary where they inserted that half-inch bit to finish off. Got a carpenter friend? I'm wondering if some cement blocks, 2x2s and jack screws might make that more secure and add strength enough. But it's not something I'd feel secure DIYing.

 

[Reef908]

Those razor led lights alone would probably be worth the price. The 20 inch model is $400+ for the current model last I looked. Based on the pic it looks like there are two....that alone is a deal. If the equipment looks to be in good shape along with the tank and stand, I would give it a try and then upgrade the pumps and sump. Maybe bring the livestock to a LFS for store credit while you get set up??

 

[Sk8r]

The cone skimmer might be, too, depending on brand: about 300.00 for some such new, but I can't tell brand or condition.

The floor bracing might be doable, granted that IS concrete down there. But again, I'd ask a carpenter.

 

[SFish]

It looks like a reef octopus but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Ztous]

If I were gonna pick that tank up I would have water mixed and ready to go for when I get it home. A rubber made or trash can full. I would probably chuck 80-90% of the sand and start with a fresh sand bed. The tank looks neglected so the sand is probably filthy.

If you don't want the anemone a LFS will generally give half the price as store credit were you to bring it in. It looks like a decent deal to me.

 

[Spycee]

It's weird, I posted a message here yesterday and it disappeared ! Does it happen often ? I "lost" 2 messages like that yesterday. It is visible for a couple of hours then poof !

Here are pictures from under my wood floor. You can see the wood floor directly (1" or less thick). The support is something that looks like 3x3 and all is supported by 2x4.

 

[Spycee]

The cone skimmer might be, too, depending on brand: about 300.00 for some such new, but I can't tell brand or condition.

The floor bracing might be doable, granted that IS concrete down there. But again, I'd ask a carpenter.

It's concrete, and I would place it on it with total confidence. We build solid houses here But solidify the wood floor would probably require to remove it partially, and it's out of question. The picture was taken in a small trap to access a drain, it's the only way to view the floor from under.

 

[rocsec1]

That looks like a good. If nothing else but for the equipment and sell the tank.

 

[Spycee]

Ok, what is happening here !?!? My messages disappears and reappears ... Weird ! I posted my floor pictures 2 times and it disappeared 2 times. I wrote it back a third time, and then the first and second ones reappeared !?

 

[urbanknight]

That looks like a good. If nothing else but for the equipment and sell the tank.

That's my thought....Buy it all and sell what you don"t want. Looks like a great deal to me!