Used tank prices....

[brewmaster15]

I have always used as a guideline $1 per gal for used fish tanks when I sell them. When I buy them I do the same. Anything below $1 per gal is a good price if the tank is in decent shape in my mind.I have scored quite a few on craigslist and facebook market place for less, some even free.

For new I wait for petco sales like the one going on now..50% off their inflated prices gives you a 29 gal breeder for $44. 55 gal is $89 and 75 gal is $144. Still decent prices but definitely higher than the last few years.

The above is for glass tanks.. For some reason acrylic are rare in my area used.

So whats your guidelines when buying tanks?

[Second Hand Pat]

Depends on what comes with it Al. Since I do not have racks (except where Tom built me a rack to hold two 40 breeders) I need a stand and I tend to have tanks in various rooms of the house. The last tank I bought was the 230 and I have no clue what I paid for it. OK, not helpful with your thread lol.
Pat

[jeep]

Most people in my area think aquariums don't depreciate. Just last week I saw someone selling a 10g with an HOB, light and cheap stand for $300 and claimed it was a great price, lol...

The $1 per gallon is a good rule for people who know the hobby. I tend to be very cautious about used tanks. I have hardwood floors and I don't trust them unless I see them holding water, but most people have already torn them down and they've been sitting empty and won't fill them for proof that they don't leak. All but one of my tanks were purchased new.

The price of glass has skyrocketed in the last few years. I bought a 75g from Petco 3 years ago for right at $100. They didn't sell the correct glass top so I got a quote from a glass company and they wanted $100 so I made a temporary lid out of 1" thick polystyrene and sealed it. I'll wait until I replace my living room picture window and cut my own, lol...

[Charlyc11]

Brian
You are correct if you are going for a used tank you expect a large depreciation not almost retail. I look on the FB marketplace all the time and some prices are unreal. I have sold a few tanks that I did not need and even when you price them for a quick sale everybody want's to give you half that anyway. My last tank I bought used is my 90 acrylic and I got a great deal with very little wear and in great shape. I look for the acrylics now to replace my glass tanks since I cut my palm with a glass lid. That little incident cost me in emergency room and stitches more than an 200 gallon acrylic tank would cost new. Not for the faint of heart or I would post the picture of my palm.
Chuck

[Discus-n00b]

Really depends on who I'm buying it from and generally would only buy used from those I trust. I'm of the opinion they don't really depreciate as long as I trust that person. I guess they all can have a catastrophic failure, but generally as long as the tank is cared for the silicone isn't chipped or gashed too crazy, no big hard water stains or scratches, etc then a tank bought 10-15 years ago is still the same tank today in my mind. Also kind of knowing what that person did with it, knowing its not laced with copper for inverts or knowing they haven't modified the bracing, something like that.

I would rather pay a retail markup an get the warranty than rely on a random I don't know unless the tank breaking won't cause damage to the floor like in a concrete fishroom vs wood floors or I can inspect the tank in person in detail before buying. I think $1 a gallon is generally fair on used prices, generally the ones offering $1 a gallon I trust more because I feel like they are actually hobbyist and get it. Also they know it's going to be easier to move at $1 a gallon than stacking tanks up for who knows how long in a corner somewhere.

There have been many times I've just given old tanks away for free because I didn't want to store them or it was someone I liked that needed a tank. Sent my brother home with a 10gal and 20gal long the other month when he visited to help fill out his garage fishroom he's building out and they were doing nothing at my place but sitting dry and taking up space. Now I find myself in need of a 20gal Long lol. $30 at Petco right now is not bad at all, I have no problem paying $1.50 a gallon.

[Willie]

In the Twin Cities, 10-Gal tanks will go as low as $4. 2.5 and 5-Gal tanks will go for more, $7 - $8. 20L get more money than 20H's. 55-Gal tanks go as low as $20, but 40G longs are prized. So there's no hard and fast rule. Note that these tanks are generally indestructible. Pricing on more fragile tanks are much more dependent on the condition of the tank.

I avoid any tank with crazing and haze on the side. Many neighborhoods here have hard water and the mineral deposits will etch the glass.

[jwcarlson]

I just gave all of mine away as no one was interested even at less than $1 per gallon including stands, lids, lights, filters, plus other stuff.
I suppose I could have waited for someone to bite but one guy picking it all up was quite nice.

[Iminit]

I’ve bought a lot of used tanks. All I buy is acrylic. Yes people put them up for outrageous prices. I don’t get it nobody buys for those prices. I usually wait till they’re down to a hundred or less than I buy. I’ve bought 7 now and resold 2. Think I’m pretty close to breaking even. For me I’m thinking with all the tanks bought during Covid there will be an abundance of tank available soon.

[Vanman]

Living in the sticks has advantages. Buying cheap used tanks is not one of them.

[brewmaster15]

I do think Location is important like Gary implied.When I search used tanks theres not alot near me at decent prices .. Im about 2 hours from Tom and when I widen the search parameters to include the New York City/Long Island area I am.blown away by all the tanks and the low prices.

2 hours drive may not seem alot and I have made the trip before many times but with traffic Along I-95 Between me and There... 2 hours can easily be 4-5 hours at times! No Thanks!

[Charlyc11]

I guess taking the ferry across defeats the purpose of a cheap tank? Lol

[brewmaster15]

I guess taking the ferry across defeats the purpose of a cheap tank? Lol

Lmao, yes that does make it a bit more expensive!