Help with purchase of 125

[1BadHawk]

I have a 90g thats been up and running for 4-5 yrs now. Im ready to upgrade but dont want anything too obsecenely large. I like the convenient size of the 90 since Im not too restricted as to where I can place the tank and stand in the house.

My question is this. Im getting ready to buy a 125g used, tank only, possibly with a 10g sump and maybe a pump or two. The tank has "
3 sections" according to the seller, and the only damage is a scratch on the front glass near the bottom. A deep 4" sand bed should hide it.

Its pre drilled for a closed loop system, 2 intakes and 4 returns. Bulkheads included. Built in dual corner over flows. Is $200.00 a decent buy for this?

I looked last week at the lfs and there 125s, tank only run between 330.00 and 400.00. No holes.

[dattack]

Well. Can't really tell without the photo. Might want to check on how deep that scratch is too.

Moreso, did you want to run a close loop? Which BTW means you will need a good external pump.

[tendar]

The price doesnt sound to bad depending on the condition of the tank and how old it is. You would want to run a bigger sump though because a 10 gallon will not big enough to hold water run back when the power goes out. You have to step up to a 29 gall.

[1BadHawk]

I looked at the tank last night. I couldnt eve see the scratch he was talking about. For the most part the tank looked prety good. Though was hard to tell since it hasnt been cleaned. He bought it used about 6 mo ago to set up a second 125. WHich BTW his other 125 looks really nice. Counted 45+ corals. 3 MH 250's, with VHO actinics, a 55g sump. and much more. All in all a nice setup.

Anyway, the tank wasnt cleaned from when he bought it. There werent any obvious scratches, nicks, or crack. There was still some light coraline buildup on the overflows and glass. THe holes for the closed loop are about 2" in dia. THeres 6 total.

He has all the pvc plumbing for the closed loop as well as the overflows. But didnt have the right size bulk heads. I told him to get the right ones and then call me back. (Didnt want to get stuck with a tank with holes and not be able to find fitting bulkheads)

What size external pump would I need for a system like this? and couldnt I just plug the holes if I chose not to use a closed loop at this time. Atleast they would always be there at a later date if I chose to?

Of course I was going to have him fill it with tap water prior to takeing it, just to ensure no leaks.

[tendar]

So the guy you are buing it from has not ever put water in it to see if it is good then I take it.
I am always a little leary of buying used tanks that dont have water in them expecially if it has been sitting for while.
That is just me though.

[1BadHawk]

tender: Thats correct. And I feel the same. I was going to ask him to fill it with the garden hose just to be sure, but then he said he didnt have the right size bulkheads for the closed loop. I said order them and when you do have'm call me. Then I will ask him to fill it.