Should I buy a used tank?

Larry G

Hello. I am new to this and need some advice. I found a used 125 gal Oceanic tank for sale with stand, lights,Gulfstream biofilter, magnum 250 canister filter, and python. The pump for the biofilter does not work. The tank is 11 years old. I went and lookeed at it and it looks to be in great shape. I inspected the silicone and could not find any signs of repair, or peeling or drying out. The owner has not had it filled for 3 years, said he did not have the time to maintain the tank properly. He is moving out of the country and needs to sell it. He wants $300 for it all. Should I take the risk of buying an 11 year old tank? Does it not being filled for 3 years affect the integrity of the silicone? This has been a dream of mine for many years to get a 125 but never have due to the cost of purchasing new. I would appreciate any help on this cause I am torn.

Thanks,
L.G.

aunt kymmie

I don't know the answer but my first thought would be to get him to fill it up with water and see if it leaks, before you buy it? I always buy used and haven't had a problem but the tanks are always full of water when I show up to inspect them.
Others will be along with better info than I have given you.
Welcome to TFK!

tanker

How difficult is it to reseal it, or how expensive would it be to have it done? If you can get it resealed without too much work or expense I'd do that, then you won't have to worry about the silicone having reached or being about to reach the end of its useful life. It'd be like getting a new tank for an incredibly good price.

JohnnyD44

I would try and see if he can fill it for you like Kymmie said. Have have drag it out back and let it sit full of water for a few days and then go check it out. see if it leaks or anything like it.

and....Welcome to TFK!!!

iamntbatman

125g tanks aren't cheap, so that's a decent price. Heck, even if it turns out that the thing leaks like crazy, $300 isn't too bad just for the filters, stand, lights and other items.

kitten_penang

go for it.if it does leak a bit who cares after a whole lot of scrubbing down you'll need to reseal some places anyway.silicon is cheap tanks aren't if i were you that tank will be in my place right now =)

OscarLoverJim

It's really not hard to replace the silicon. The old comes off rather easy and you just run a bead of new from a tube. You can even get it a lot cheaper at a hardware store as long as you make sure it's just silicon with no anti-mildew or other such additives. The silicon you get at the pet store is about 5X as much.

Larry G

Thank you everyone for your input. I am actually going to pick it up up in a couple of hours. The seller actually threw in an olympic weight set with a fully equiped workout bench that you would see in golds gym for $50. I could probably get at least $200 for the set. That would bring the cost of the tank setup to $150. I can't pass this up regardless of my worries of the tank.

Larry G.

LisaC144

Now you can work out while staring at your big beauitful fish tank!

kitten_penang

yeah after setting it up finally you'll be so happy to work out everyday