Pros and cons to buying a new or used tank?

[Rudedog1212]

I really would love to buy a new tank so there are no questions to the quality of the tank and stand. But I'm on a budget and if I buy new I know starfire glass will be out of the question and also when you buy used there are usually extras with the purchase. I would like to know stories good and bad of buying new and used tanks. So far I have been lucky and have not had any bad tank purchases out of the 4 tanks I have purchased in the past but I always worry about the strength of the tank and I worry that my tank will leak. And with used purchases there always seems to be some scratches, chips or discolored wood in the stand or canopy that you just live with. I have a 72 bow front that I just have gotten tired of the distortion from the bowed glass. I'm not in the market to buy just yet, im going to frag corals to help fund the cause but with all the experience on this fourm I just want to know what everyone thinks about buying new or used. Thanks in advance. Rudy...

Ps. Yes I will be putting a ton of raffle tickets into the tank and stand bag at the swap.

 

[Jet Black]

I've personally only bought a tank used once. Sadly it got ran into by a car pulling into the garage but in the end I'm glad that it happened. I'd say to only buy used if it is the exact tank that you want and it comes from someone reputable. I don't think anyone here would try and sell you a broken tank but it helps if they know the history of the tank and made sure it was well maintained.

 

[Rudedog1212]

If I were to buy used from someone on this fourm I would feel more comfortable with the purchase than a craigslist purchase for sure.

 

[Saltwaternooby]

I bought a 200+ gallon starfire from CL San Jose and transferred it up here. It developed a crack(not 100% through the glass) during transport and sits outside now(until i sell it). Wasn't there prior, or it might have been a deeper scratch. Either way i went and bought a new one at YR.

 

[toky916]

Just depending if you know the person some times even when they say scratches it's a lot more than was told.

You will not notice everything when you first look at it you really find out when you get it home and set it up you notice a lot more flaws.

This is a gamble if you find someone that is we'll known the tank can be wonderful. But it can go anyway. some prople just trying to get rid of it and will not point out all the flaws.

Just make sure you examine it very well.

 

[psykobowler]

My rule is simple. If it is the main display tank I would buy it new 100% all the time. If it is the sump, ro/di reservoir, frag tank, refugium or anything auxiliary to the main display I would not hesitate to buy it used.

 

[muttley101]

Just an opinion, but I think the tank is a drop in the bucket compared to lights, skimmers, and livestock..... especially signature corals

-Mutt

 

[Tweakes182]

Just an opinion, but I think the tank is a drop in the bucket compared to lights, skimmers, and livestock..... especially signature corals

-Mutt

+1

Go big on the tank. Meaning get the biggest or nicest one you can find that you want. Because it wont even compare in cost to everything else.

 

[toky916]

I bought a 200+ gallon starfire from CL San Jose and transferred it up here. It developed a crack(not 100% through the glass) during transport and sits outside now(until i sell it). Wasn't there prior, or it might have been a deeper scratch. Either way i went and bought a new one at YR.

Agreed new for the display is what I regret after 2 years just even going bigger.
Just save up if it's a hobby you enjoy just save up and get something nice I paid more for my skimmer than my display hehe good deal on the display can't compalin. Just depends what your looking for.

 

[Rudedog1212]

Yea that is true but I have came into this hobby through Craig's list. T5s used, tank stand used the only thing I purchased new is the hob skimmer. I don't have a sump. I totally understand about having the display new and I'm leaning towards that.

 

[79chopperdr]

I've bought 90% of my equipment used. Spend some time looking at the tank, if it's dry ask to fill it before you take it.

IMHO...some people put alittle too much superstition into this stuff. It's a sealed box. Deep scratches and chips are red flags. Look close at the sealant, torn and loose or bubbles in seams are warning signs.

The equipment depreciates worse than new cars. I prefer to save my $$ for the live stuff.
Good luck and ultimately do what you are comfortable with!

 

[psykobowler]

Everything in this hobby takes time and money. Take the time and save the money and you will be glad you did. Everything else can be bought used. If you have space, you can always repurpose the old display aquariums you already own. My sumps, refugium, ato reservoir were my display tanks at some point in time. Instead of getting fancy with all these trigger sump, two part reservoire etc, get the right display tank with no scratches and sell off stuff you don't need.

Yup, Jeff is right about the depreciation in reef equipment.

 

[psykobowler]

I've bought 90% of my equipment used. Spend some time looking at the tank, if it's dry ask to fill it before you take it.

IMHO...some people put alittle too much superstition into this stuff. It's a sealed box. Deep scratches and chips are red flags. Look close at the sealant, torn and loose or bubbles in seams are warning signs.

The equipment depreciates worse than new cars. I prefer to save my $$ for the live stuff.
Good luck and ultimately do what you are comfortable with!

Jeff, you got a sweet tank and stand combo. 7 foot peninsula. That does not come up for sale that often.

The other great tank that was sold here was the one that was owned by Jeremy Tarmage who left for hawaii. 6 foot peninsula. Had some sweet dimension and well built. Good tanks do pop up for sale once in a while but not often.

If I had to do it over again I would pick a 6 foot tank and at least 4 feet wide peninsula. I could get away with all the powerheads/wavemakers in the back of the tank.

 

[mng777777]

I've bought new and used and found about the same across the board. My first was a craigslist special and it was plastic. No issues. Second came on referral through lfs from a local reefer. Third came new from same lfs on trade for tank 2. The new tank wound up with a scratch during a move. It's small and nobody knows it's there... but I do. If you buy new and fill it, it's no longer new. A new tank can be damaged in shipping/transport just as easily as used, and both can develop defects. Either way you go, buy the tank you really want and inspect it carefully before stocking.

 

[Rudedog1212]

Thanks

 

[DOGGIE750]

Simple man, Dinero and time will dictate! I bought mine used coz I don't have much cash to burn. I like DIY stuff if time permits but if I got the cash then I would have purchased all new. Cheers.

 

[Rudedog1212]

I purchased a used tank and the stand looks like the person I purchased it from spent some money on it. It is an older stand for a glass aquarium but there is not support for the entire bottom of the tank. It looks like only the ends are supported and now I'm afraid that the tank is not supported properly. It is obvious the tank and stand was used but I'm wondering if I need to do some extra work to support the entire bottom of the tank.

 

[jthao]

most my used tanks i bought cost more than most new tanks i see at a store. fft.
so used don't mean cheap. also they're built wayyyy better than any tank i've seen any store sell.
it's preference, if you got $2000, you can get a nice new tank set up, or an insanely awesome used tank set up.
2015 honda accord, or 2009 mercedes e63... hmmmmmm, i'll take the e63 thank you. lol.

 

[Unarce]

Totally agree, Josh!

However, German cars have awfully aggressive depreciation slopes. Not as bad as British cars, but the Honda's gonna hold it's value far longer.

Just sayin'

 

[jthao]

Totally agree, Josh!

However, German cars have awfully aggressive depreciation slopes. Not as bad as British cars, but the Honda's gonna hold it's value far longer.

Just sayin'

I should've said: all of the maintenance costs, depreciation value, gas consumption costs, and everything car related costs aside, then it's a more equal comparison to fish tanks. Unlike cars, wether it be an AGA tank or an elos, cost to run it is same for same size tanks (if running same equipment of course.)