potential purchase of used aqarium - need expert opinions pls! (info & pics)

[Keith Perkins]

Yea, with Craigslist you can occasionally find some great steals. Bill's right, don't jump the gun. Research what tanks usually go for in your area, then visit the site a lot and jump quickly when one of the steals comes along. I agree with Bill too that tanks in the 70 gallon range are a good size to work with.

[Dennis The Mennis]

A garden hose is all I have ever used. Should I switch to something else?

Chris, never use a garden hose...only a potable water hose. There are anti-mold and anti-bacteria treatments in the garden hose which can kill your fish.

Thank God for spell checkers this late at night....especially after wine.

[Second Hand Pat]

Dennis, the anti-mold and anti-bacteria treatments in garden hoses can kill your fish. I would suggest potable hoses used for RVs and such and are used for drinking water.

[Keith Perkins]

A big +1 on the potable water hose. You might be fine with a cheap garden hose, but for about $10 this time of year it's really really cheap insurance to use a potable water hose instead.

[Dennis The Mennis]

I havn't seen them in anything longer than 25' locally. I guess I'll have to look online.

I need 100' hose and I prefer 3/4" hoses. This is the only one I found with an acceptable review. Dang, these things are pricey.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ML7Q76?tag=260954-20

[TNT77]

I havn't seen them in anything longer than 25' locally. I guess I'll have to look online.

Really easy to get hose fittings and put 2 or more together.

[chrisb01]

I need 100' hose...

What?
Do you keep your tanks at the neighbor's garage?

Hahaha... :-) Just joking with you buddy...

[zman78]

Hi there, I can give you my recent experience on buying a used 125 gallon tank. I bought the tank used which included the stand (which needed work) and two Eheim 2217 filters, also a homemade light fixture which I tossed, all for $400. After a month the top corner of the seal blew out on me. Luckily it was the top 2-3 inches so it was only a small problem that could have well been a disaster. It was an older tank that needed the inside resealed but after inspection it was the seal between the panels that failed. After that I replaced it with a brand new 150 gallon. Maybe it's just my bad luck but I will never buy a used (large) tank again, for me it's just not worth the stress, just my 2 cents worth, good luck.

[shoveltrash]

I can give you my recent experience on buying a used 125 gallon tank.

hmmmm......thanks for sharing that!

And while you're hunting that 75, you can help me load a 180 next Monday..at 62, they're getting heavier by the month!

why SURE! 'just need driving directions to the "farthest outpost".......and, um, exactlywhere is the farthest outpost???

hey Dennis, DON'T order a $100 hose! check out WalMart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-50-F...-Hose/14504302

tons of great info here!
I need to make a "new tank list" of all the things I'll need! a trip to our local big LFS is in order, just to look at a wide assortment of large tanks, really eyeball bowfronts vs traditional, etc.

[TURQ64]

I'm in Hartford Beach State Park on Big Stone Lake in Northeast South Dakota..The tank's somewhere in metro Minneapolis...200 miles each way, but it's where I shop for most of my tanks..

[shoveltrash]

according to my calculations, you're only about 1400 miles away......perhaps I can get there in 20 hours?

[ericatdallas]

I just found a 90G pre-drilled w/ stand and glass tops (nothing else) for $100. I think that's a pretty good deal.

[shoveltrash]

jealous...................!

[ericatdallas]

jealous...................!

Jsut be patient. I might see a deal like this once every 2-3 months. Check your aquarium club sites (reef, general, and aquarium). Summer is prime time because kids moving out to go to college. Near Military bases and universities are good too.

[Discus PB]

And while you're hunting that 75, you can help me load a 180 next Monday..at 62, they're getting heavier by the month!..cheap[ transfer pump; under 80.00 and usually has a spare impellor..

I found a 180 in Lincoln but the guy gave me his number and never told me what he wanted for it. I haven't called yet because I don't want to hear a sales pitch. Plus I am waiting for the dream deal to pop up on a 100 or bigger.
I did scored a 45 gallon hex with everything for $50. I am planning on making it a bare bottom tank. I was just happy it had the stand, top and light. Everything else that came with it is going to be sold or junked. Nice thing is I don't have to pick it up for a while since my buddy is selling it to me.