I started my first reef tank with all used equipment. Anybody else do this?

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So there's no doubt this hobby CAN BE expensive, but IMHO it doesn't have to be. I started off in the reef hobby with a 29g tank off of craigslist. I bought my first equipment all used. Now...there are some things I wouldn't buy used today, but there's no doubt that if I couldn't have started off cheap, I probably wouldn't have started at all. Anybody else have a similar story?

So...a few questions for this discussion:

1) How many of you started off in this hobby buying used equipment?
2) What are some things you would still buy used today?
3) What are some things you would NOT buy used today?

Btw, for anyone looking for some good deals on used stuff from other hobbyists, check out our R2R Marketplace forums!

Photo by @aquariumcarecenter

 

[aquariumcarecenter]

So there's no doubt this hobby CAN BE expensive, but IMHO it doesn't have to be. I started off in the reef hobby with a 29g tank off of craigslist. I bought my first equipment all used. Now...there are some things I wouldn't buy used today, but there's no doubt that if I couldn't have started off cheap, I probably wouldn't have started at all. Anybody else have a similar story?

So...a few questions for this discussion:

1) How many of you started off in this hobby buying used equipment?
2) What are some things you would still buy used today?
3) What are some things you would NOT buy used today?

Btw, for anyone looking for some good deals on used stuff from other hobbyists, check out our R2R Marketplace forums!

Photo by @aquariumcarecenter

So for what it is worth as a retailer trying to sell used equipment its very tough. We have so many cool things and we had Zero Interest. Its very difficult for us to get all of the details together its easier for us to sell really cheap to get rid of. Let me know if anyone needs cheap used stuff. We are doing another try again at the end of July.

 

[EugeneVan]

For me reef keeping is a very very expensive hobby. You have to do all the indepth research (live stocks and equipment) that you are going to use and do it right at the beginning. There are so many moving parts in this hobby If you keep trying to put out of the fire everyday, it will wear you out in no time. Good luck and happy reefing. I will only start with new equipment (with full warranty) but get them when they are on sale.

 

[Freddy0144]

So, I have no issue with some used gear, My tank is used (I have had issued with used tanks in the past) the current tank was only two years in service and the original LFS knew the guy that was selling the current tank.

As for everything else, SUMP, Lights, Skimmer, UV, Rock, Reactors, ATO system and pumps that was all recycled from my previous tank, which was all purchased new when I built the previous tank. Some of it will be replaced over time and some already has been replaced. With the new setup, I have replaced the heaters, return pumps, and ATO container.

I really dont mind used gear from tank breakdowns etc. as long as it is tested cleaned and does not look like it belongs in the dump. There is nothing wrong with getting a deal here and there. Other places like Sand, and test kits, I like new stuff.

 

[Saltysecondsreefing]

I started my first reef tank with all second hand equipment. and that was over 15 years ago. I just setup a new tank after 9 years and it was again mostly second hand. the tank, the lights, the power heads. the only thing new was the pump and the plumbing. now over time I will upgrade things as I see fit. But i always look at the used market first. I enjoy buying full systems and using the things I need and selling everything else. most of the time the things i keep cost me zero dollars because I make money on the deal.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

I started out with a 10 gallon with a little current USA two bulb t5 that my friend gave me in 2012. He had used them for a while and upgraded. I actually still use both of them. The little 10 gallon is a sump now and the t5 I use with with a kessil a80 for a nano! Still going strong.

 

[fish farmer]

1) How many of you started off in this hobby buying used equipment?

My first reef tank was actually my used SW from years past, used some of the dead coral and tufa rock for base. I have bought tanks and some basic supplies when I've been to store clean outs when I was younger. A lot of my original FW equipment was used by a friend who was a science teacher, slate bottomed tanks and 1970's era booklets.

2) What are some things you would still buy used today?

Probably certain sized tanks. Used tanks tend to find me, I've been given a couple of 55 gallon tanks before.

3) What are some things you would NOT buy used today?

Lights or anything electronic. I bought a used VHO setup at the LFS (it was in pieces, ballast, wires, end caps.) The ballast didn't work so I had to get a new one.

I did however maintain a used 0'Dell 120 gallon tank. When I set it up in 2000 it came with a couple of Little Giant pumps that worked for many years, an Amiracle sump and all the basic plumbing. It never leaked in the 20 years I was maintaining it. I did replace the lighting at one point with the VHO from above.

 

[Slocke]

I personally think that starting with a cheap and broken in system was a great way to learn and to experiment. My second tank is all new and has a specific goal that I formulated while experimenting with the used system.

 

[undermind]

Absolutely. I've always considered myself a master of finding deals (or at least in justifying expenses). But seriously, if it wasn't for good deals, it would have been tough to get a start in this hobby as a 19 y/o making minimum wage.

It has had the same effect on lots of hobbies and interests I've had over the years. I'm incredibly frugal and getting things at half cost make a big difference.

Now that a few years have gone by and I'm making a solid income, I think the "used" days are behind me though. I feel like people are a little more precious about their stuff now, and I find that the classifieds on most forums now have become kind of a frustrating experience (this forum included). My local craigslist is terrible, and FB Marketplace is a disaster. So I guess I feel lucky for getting what I've got in the past.

 

[Aspect]

Thankfully I make a good enough income that I didn't really have a budget, and I went way over the number I had in my head anyways. Everything new and oversized.

 

[Cool Ethan]

I recently bought a fully setup system and saved a ton of money. I never would have been able to afford the same size and tier of equipment otherwise. And the whole used market is very much in buyers favor. Obviously need to be prudent on the purchases, but some great deals to be made.

 

[Mperry622]

I started the hobby by buying a 55 acrylic and then a 65 acrylic refinishing both of them due to what looks to be a mad ex or revenge damage.. fast forward months. All the troubles I've had with my lights and pumps and everything else that I can't even list here and all of that would have been prevented if I would have just went big in the first place and bought new... Now I'm stuck with a 55 acrylic is 65 acrylic a sump a protein skimmer... Because I bought it used and it was already messed up I have no chance of reselling it... I tell you though my local fish store will never get another dime of mine he screwed me on so many different ways... And I totally lost all respect for him for wanting to sell me a puffer two weeks into having my tank set up.. cared more about money than the hobby.. got of topic.. forever always buy new

 

[Richsoar]

All of my Tanks are used. Two 72 gal were picked up at Auctions of Pet stores going out of business and my 45 gal was purchased at a garage sale. The old T20 lights I have were also used. Most everything else has been bought new.
Easier on the wallet.

 

[NashobaTek]

I started with all new stuff because it had been years since the last saltwater tank, and everything has changed.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I personally think that starting with a cheap and broken in system was a great way to learn and to experiment. My second tank is all new and has a specific goal that I formulated while experimenting with the used system.

I agree! Except for the part where you end up spending as much as you would have done so for a new one, and the fact that your old, broken system still ends up as old and broken. I swear I'm not speaking from experience.

 

[Tamberav]

I have a bunch of used equiptment

Used 6 bulb 48" sunpower = $200 (literally $400 saved right there) - going on 3 years, all parts are self replaceable too.

Used return pump (eheim) bought 7 years ago, still works like new ($?) - going on 7 years, duh

Used coated iron stand that someone had custom made ($75) - LFS sells some janky particle board stands for $300

Used Regal 200INT skimmer = $100 (saved a whopping $630 dollars not even including tax) - running flawlessly for a year now

Used kessil H160 Tuna flora fuge light (it was free! was posted up for free to anyone who would use it by another reefer) - had it 6 months

Used Apex orange model (I bought a full system and broke it down and kept the apex, the breakdown essentially made the apex cost almost nothing, it was just time and effort to sell everything part by part) - running 4 years


You really don't have to resort to off brands or chinese stuff. You just need to be patient and wait for the right deal to come along and you can build a set up of main stream products from very little. Ofc if you don't like waiting, then buy new imo! Nothing wrong with it.

You can try and tell me my stuff will end up old and broken but it hasn't happened yet. If I pay a fraction of the cost and get 1 less year out of it, big woop.

I am just a naturally frugal person and like a good deal. It isn't that I can't afford it, but If buying a $100 skimmer means $630 more dollars to go into my savings account or invest, then I did good imo!

My husband wants some office chair that costs like $1600 new. I pointed out to him that he can get one for $550 at the office furniture store here and the thing only has a few minor scratches.

Stuff I don't buy used are things like my bed and clothing but aquarium stuff with is essentially plastic/wiring? a real wood dresser someone kept in good shape vs ikea crap? sure!

 

[shakacuz]

everything i started with, with the exception of my tank and sump was new. moving forward to upgrading to a 75 from a 40, i’m trying to cut corners and save on some well kept used equipment. i’m still buying new here and there..

 

[Soilworker]

I started with new everything and that was the right approach for me. I didn't want to deal with inheriting someone else's problems.

 

[DeniseAndy]

My 29g JBJ was all new and this is technically how I started. However, within months, I bought a huge 210g system used with protein skimmer, sump, calcium reactor, pumps, tank, dry rock, etc.

Now, almost 20years on from that used purchase, the protein skimmer, calcium reactor, sump, rock and pumps are still going strong. I will take that for the $1300!

 

[ReefRondo]

I bought an entire running system with all old gear and it worked out fine for me. The inevitable upgrade then happened…a few times…ha ha! I did upgrade pretty much everything on my first system with better gear but not new gear.