Risks with buying a used aquarium

[crawlerman]

I am in the market for a new (to me) aquarium that I want to set up as an SPS tank. I have been looking on craigslist and was wondering if there is a risk of problems if the tank was treated with copper or had other contaminants. Could it seep into the sealant and leach out causing problems. I am asking on here because it will house SPS and they are more sensitive.

 

[Rakie]

Yes.

Buy used from people here, I wouldn't trust a CL tank. Sadly I keep learning that not a single link in the chain can be weak, or the whole thing will come crashing down.

Sadly, by 'weak', I mean 'cheap'. If you can't afford a proper tank, just like I can't, you're in the wrong hobby! (I'm in the wrong hobby).

 

[crawlerman]

Thanks Rakie, there was a used 300 gallon marineland DD that was for sale tank only. Said it was used 4 months and looked brand new. It was still $1300 and would probably cost me another 4K to get up and running, possibly more. Hate to spend that much and start off with problems. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Hentz]

I'd be fine with purchasing smaller tanks (75 or less). If I were to ever buy a tank of 100+ used, I'd make sure it was a reputable person who was in the local reef club. Saving yourself hundreds or more on a used tank could end up being thousands in house repairs. But that can even be a brand new tank from a highly reputable manufacturer.

Life is a risk.

If buying used, just make sure to look at all seams. Maybe if you can ask the seller to fill it up for a few days to prove it holds water.

 

[pisanoal]

If you end up buying one, make sure it is clean and inspect closely for scratches... I made the mistake of buying a 125 used that still had the substrate in it and the background on it. Had a bunch of coralline still on it too (dead of course). Got it home, and A, it leaked, B, it had TONS of scratches. I asked if it had many scratches, and was told it was pristine. I inspected what I could, but lighting was poor, and I was in a hurry because the guy was 45 minutes late showing up to his own house to sell it to me and I had to be somewhere.

Long story short, that tank is now my QT and I bought a new 125 after spending some money on glass polishing supplies only to find more and more scratches that I didn't see.

 

[Rakie]

If you end up buying one, make sure it is clean and inspect closely for scratches... I made the mistake of buying a 125 used that still had the substrate in it and the background on it. Had a bunch of coralline still on it too (dead of course). Got it home, and A, it leaked, B, it had TONS of scratches. I asked if it had many scratches, and was told it was pristine. I inspected what I could, but lighting was poor, and I was in a hurry because the guy was 45 minutes late showing up to his own house to sell it to me and I had to be somewhere.

Long story short, that tank is now my QT and I bought a new 125 after spending some money on glass polishing supplies only to find more and more scratches that I didn't see.

Ouch!! Sad to say that's a great lesson for anyone reading. Sorry it happened to you, of course. That was most definitely outrageously frustrating to deal with -_-

 

[thepotoo]

Sheesh, comments here make it sound like CL is a terrible place. I've bought probably over 50 tanks off CL in the past few years, everything from 5 up to 150 gallons, and as long as you inspect the tanks carefully, you'll be fine.

If it's scratched, say that, complain that the seller is wasting your time, and offer them a stupidly low ball offer for it.

There is no demand for used tanks, so you should be able to get them for next to nothing. Worst comes to worst, take it to your LFS and flip it for store credit.

 

[LotsaTanks]

I bought a used 300 gallon acrylic and the seams failed during initial water test. Kept the stand and custom bought a new tank to fit. Tried again on used and bought a fire sale 300 gallon for a fish only a couple months ago. It was running and looked okay. Got it home, water tested it before set up, and found it has a slow leak a couple drops an hour from a bottom seam. Keeping the stand and may at some point buy a new tank to fit the stand. It wasn't too bad because it came with nice fish and equipment I needed anyway. Bought a couple used frag tanks and they were perfect. Bottom line is on any larger tank I'll buy new. For small ones I will take the risk.


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