Newbie...is this a good deal?

[mlovelace]

Hello, I first want to say this looks to be a great sight with a ton of information! I have been out of the fish game for about 10 years. My first wife hated my 100 gallon tank with an Oscar and Pacu and I eventually sold it (she hated the water on the carpet). I have a lot of experience with freshwater tanks, but this would be my first saltwater experience. I have been looking at the LPS, craigslist,----, and classifieds everywhere. I was wondering if someone could tell me if this is a good deal? It sounds like one, but I would need to drive 2.5 hours to pick up. From what is listed, could you tell me what the fair market price would be? I have seen pictures and the tank looks great, with a light oak stand and matching canopy. It is a 75 gallon tank. Here is the emails I have received from the seller. I have had other opportunities locally to purchase used 75g tank and stand, but not reef ready with supplies. I am thinking of going FLOWR, but may try the reef tank as well? I also understand the cost of liverock to get the tank started. These are emails from the seller to me. Here is the info below:

Complete Reef Ready 75 Gallon Aquarium Set Up
All you need is water. This system is complete with tank, stand, hood, lights, skimmer, sump, return pump, and sand. I recently upgraded to a 125 gallon system and so I am selling this one.

The tank is reef ready which means it is drilled in the overflows. The return pump is a Mag drive 7 and the sump is sized for a 75 gallon tank with compartments for the skimmer and return pump. The skimmer is a Euro-Reef sized for 125 tank max. The lighting fixture is 8 x 54 watt T-5 bulbs. I think I have had the system around 5 years. I moved up to it from a 55 gallon and am selling this one because I've moved up to a 125 gallon tank.

There are two holes drilled and the tank does not leak. I took the tank down in July. It was setup as a reef tank. I believe the Euroreef is the RS80. I have 80 pounds of unused substrate for the tank that you can have. You would need to get some salt and a couple powerheads for water movement. A good test kit to check your water chemistry and some timers for your lights. There is also a power strip that comes with the set up. You would also need a RO/DI unit to make your water. Tap water is not good for a saltwater tank.


My question for a experienced member, what price do you feel is fair for this if everything is in good working order?

[Parrothead]

What you need to do is,

Find out if the previous owner ever treated the tank with a copper or copper based meds, and before ever guessing at a price, some pics would be nice

[mlovelace]

Thank you parrothead, I will ask that question. Here is a link to their posting. They are asking 500 and it is firm, I asked them if they would take less. I would have to drive 2.5 hours to pick this up, so I was wondering if it is a good deal or average? There are pictures with the link. I am suppose to go next Sunday to look at it.

Pet Supplies : Complete Reef Ready 75 Gallon Aquarium Set Up : Classifieds : WRAL.com

[Parrothead]

As long as those aren't scratches in the glass???? If there not, it's a helluva good deal, the lights would cost you almost that much

[mlovelace]

I just went to my LFS and took them the same emails. They told me the most they would give is 400? They were telling me they didn't like the lighting system and the replacement bulbs were 23 each. That is one question they asked, when was the last time this person replaced the bulbs? Of course, they started pricing out a new one for me and it got expensive real quick. I told them If I purchased this, I would purchase the other items needed from them. I just don't know if they were talking smack because they wanted a new tank sale or what? They sell consignments, but didn't offer to try and sell me one of theirs?

Thank you, Mike

[Parrothead]

Mike,

The reason the said they would only pay 400 for the system is because they have to pay the rent, employess etc, they need to be able to turn most dry goods at a min. 50% + mark up to make it worthwhile, and yes T-5 bulbs run around 23.00 which is not bad compared to 60 - 70 + for pc or Mh's, it is a good deal, if I had the cash, I drive and get it. Your lfs is in business to make money, not help you save it buy buying elsewhere, do this, get ahold of the tanks owner, get the brand of that 8 Bulb t-5 fixture, google it, and see what it sells for by itself....Let me know what you find out

[mlovelace]

Thank you Parrothead for all the information and the patience with a newbie. I also received another email from him stating the following:

"One thing that I forgot to mention. The tank has starboard on the bottom for running a bare bottom tank. You can remove it or just cover it with sand like I did."

Is starboard a good thing or bad thing? I researched it and it sounds like some kind of plastic on the bottom? Does it come in different amounts of thickness? Is starboard normally put in permanently or can you easily remove?

Thank you, MIke

[Parrothead]

Sounds like it's there to cushion the bottom glass in case of a rock slide, not a bad idea when you think about

[gregr]

Just wanted to pipe in on this thread because of what your local fish store people said. They had a chance to be honest and up front with you and chose an arguably underhanded way to deal with you. They could've told you it was a decent deal (better than decent imo) but you could be inheriting problems the seller might be hiding, design flaws in the tanks plumbing, scratches, etc.
Bad way to earn a customer's loyalty. Hopefully you have other local fish store options in the area.

[Parrothead]

Thats what I told him, if it isn't all scratched up its one helluva deal, the plumbing can always be redone, low cost fix, shoot, that looks like a nova extreme pro setting on top of it, the 8 bulb unit runs real close to the asking price by itself, and as far as bulb replacement goes in the reef tank world 20 - 25 per bulb is real good, I'm putting the 6 bulb fixture on my tank, only because I've got 13 inches instead of the 14 for the 8 bulb

[gregr]

Yeah- $23 is nothing compared to the cost of 250 metal halide bulbs that I use now. But-- I might be getting an LED fixture soon!!! No more bulb replacements woohoo!
Back to the topic at hand So many things to look out for when you're new to the hobby and don't know better... You're smart for asking here mlovelace.

[Parrothead]

Greg,

Like I mentioned a few post up, If I had the extra cash, and space. I'd be on the road to nc right now

[gregr]

[mlovelace]

I also found this one about the same distance away. Do you mind telling me which one sounds better to you? I don't know enough about the equipment to make a call. They are stating they have over 4000 invested in this one? I know there are several questions I would need to ask! I was originally wanting to setup as FOWLR, with an option for reef. I am going to ask them what they had running before they took it down and how old are the bulbs.

90 Gallon Saltwater Reef Aquarium with Solid Wood Stand and Canopy

[Parrothead]

Stick with the first one, the 90 has been medicated

Seachem. ParaGuard

MalachiteGreen

the second link is for an ingredient in the first product, based on this he has had ich in the tank, and may have treated it with a copper based med.

Run Forest, Run

[Parrothead]

VHO bulbs also run hotter than the T-5's, a wise reefer here told me a chiller or several fans would be needed. I gotta go out for a few hours, catch up with you later

[gregony]

The VHO's are obsolete. The 90 is a bigger tank and has some nicer equipment than the first one, with the exception of the lights. I personally think it would be a toss up except for the driving 2.5 hours part. Driving all that way. If he used way too much of the malachite green it might be a problem. That's one thing about malachite green though, its green. It turns everything green. If you look at the 90 and the silicone's green, you may never be able to get the copper out. If its not, then you probably would be able to clean it out enough where its not a problem. But that 2.5 hours just to find out, I just don't know. Remember whatever used tank you get, you want to run freshwater through it for at least a day first to check for leaks, and to help get impurities out. And to make sure everythings level. Nothing like throwing out 75 or 90 gallons of saltwater cause your tank isn't level once water is in it. Or better yet, it leaks.

[gregr]

My first impression on the 90: yuck, fake coral
Aside from what's already been said, not that you probably need anymore input on this... I like the look of the 75's stand and canopy much more. The black is boring to me. Personal preference I know.
Eheim return pump- they make great pumps but it seems kinda small to me. Regardless, remember that if you decide to do a reef tank you want lots and lots of flow.
ASM G2 skimmer- excellent. That's what I use on my 150. The 75g system has a good skimmer too though.
The 90 comes with two heaters (smart). Also comes with lots of accessories which are useful. The seven 5g water jugs alone will run you close to $50.
The medication issue kinda makes it a moot point now but it's not such a cut and dried decision aside from that.