Is buying a messy tank worth the effort?

rknott · Jan 29, 2019

I have had a 14 gal bio cube for the last 5+ years and I am thinking about making the jump to a much bigger tank. I am thinking about going used to save thousands. I found a tank that is working, but appears to be filled with slime algae and who knows what else I will find when I look in person. My question is: how much effort will I be putting in to get this thing functional. Will I be strapped with nasty diseases forever and will it be worth the "savings"? Link to tank: https://offerup.com/item/detail/564834272/ I have learned from research it is an Aqueon 72. Not sure what all was done to get to functional for salt or if the lighting will suffice. I assume it will.

Will be interesting if this tank that been for sale for over 3 months sells "all of the sudden"

MSB123 · Jan 29, 2019

That setup isn’t worth $300. Looks like old, cheap gear.
I would keep looking or take the plunge and spend the $.

Hemmdog · Jan 29, 2019

Check out my build thread. There’s diamonds in the rough.

kichimark · Jan 29, 2019

Not sure about 300...I would make a lower offer. Regarding work, yeah you will be putting some elbow grease in there for sure. You can acid bath the rock and I would probably replace the sand. Now that I think about it, probably keep an eye out for another sale haha. I am just thinking since I am sure you will upgrade the light and other equipment.

rknott · Jan 29, 2019

For sure I was going to offer less. You don't get much for $200 in this hobby though. I figured with the stand, rock, pumps . . . . . . . I was good. As for lighting I have a question. I really want an enclosed system similar to my 14g bio cube. Given we watch movies in this room and I don't want a giant light hanging from the ceiling lighting up the room. However, lighting was always a struggle. I ended up doing a retrofit and ripped apart my hood to do it. However, the light ended up being overly hot and I burt a hole in the light shield. Will I end up with the same problem here? No good lighting solution?

Hemmdog · Jan 29, 2019

rknott said:
For sure I was going to offer less. You don't get much for $200 in this hobby though. I figured with the stand, rock, pumps . . . . . . . I was good. As for lighting I have a question. I really want an enclosed system similar to my 14g bio cube. Given we watch movies in this room and I don't want a giant light hanging from the ceiling lighting up the room. However, lighting was always a struggle. I ended up doing a retrofit and ripped apart my hood to do it. However, the light ended up being overly hot and I burt a hole in the light shield. Will I end up with the same problem here? No good lighting solution?

I do goosenecks on Kessil 360’s if I don’t hang lights. AI and ecotech also make goosenecks.

Biocube hood type set up doesent work well. Lights need height so their colors blend better and you get better spread.

Hemmdog · Jan 29, 2019

Hemmdog said:
I do goosenecks on Kessil 360’s if I don’t hang lights. AI and ecotech also make goosenecks.

Old pic but you get the idea

resortez · Jan 29, 2019

It’s a decent &very basic setup, just looks like it has never been given proper maintenance by the amount of cyano bacteria in the main display. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty & enjoy DYI projects, that setup will work & I would make a fair offer. In my opinion, that bow front glass tank with its curved stand makes it worth while. Few things I would check, is if that skimmer is functinal. It’s hard to tell in the pictures if it’s running. I would ask if it comes with the glass covers, which are not present in the pics. Another thing that must be considered, is replacing existing bulk heads. Baffles can be made out of acrylic to improve filtration. Be prepared if you consider making the purchase. I’ve been in this hobby way too long, long enough to have participated in frag swaps where fellow reefers brought their frags in coolers to parking lots & can only be viewed under natural sunlight. These were the projects that I always loved because they were the projects that taught me the most & if you’re up for the challenge, it can turn into a great reef tank. Good luck.

Daniel@R2R · Jan 29, 2019

Interesting question. I added a poll.

Ronny Bello · Jan 29, 2019

Why not if your willing to put work in and time. Get cheap gear to start off and save money to get the good stuff. Nothing wrong with a poor man tank.

Brian W · Jan 29, 2019

Yes. All of my tanks are "Messy" tanks. Well except the Petco 10, 20 & 40 gallon $1 per gallon sale tanks.

andrewkw · Jan 29, 2019

Since it's your first big tank I'd go with a new tank, that way you don't have to redo plumbing that has already been done. Start from scratch (with a tank that 100% is not scratched) ect. The tank may be an okay deal but it looks like it's a real mess, and no guarantee it will clean up to like new condition. You can certainly piece together a used system, but getting everything in one shot like this does not seem ideal for someone in your situation at least in my opinion.

Stephen Reed · Jan 29, 2019

Id say its worth it. the cheaper you can get it the better, are you planing on "saving" the tank or tear down an cleaning everything?

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Jan 29, 2019

Going to get mixed opinions. Can this work? Yes, with a good vinegar bath and acid wash. It will take time and effort, but could work. Is it worth $300, no. I would agree with the above comments of looking for something newer. This isn't a cheap hobby and you will regret taking that route in the end. If your cube is running good, i'd start saving for a good build and not rush into a bigger tank like the one you mention.

Geebs19 · Jan 29, 2019

My tank was a messy tank when I bought mine. Had to put in some work to get it into good shape, but it was worth it.

vlangel · Jan 29, 2019

I used to be an aquarium tech and at times was faced with reclaiming a tank like that. If the glass is not all scratched up and if the center brace is the newer reinforced (they used to be just the standard center brace then they added more bracing at the bowfront side because the added pressure of the water against the bowed glass was causing the glass to pull away from the bracing), I would definitely try to get a good deal and make an offer.

I scrubbed tanks like that out with bleach. It kills all disease and it rinses without any residue. It appears to be soft plumbed which is pretty easy to redo. That has the potential to be a great tank and I would not be afraid of it..

sde1500 · Jan 29, 2019

I wouldn't go $300, maybe toss them on offer for half that. That price point would certainly be worth it, and as nasty as that looks, not something that can't be overcome with a lot of elbow grease.

ubasu · Jan 29, 2019

Also you can blame all your future problems on the previous owner instead of yourself.... So thats a win =)

cmcimino · Jan 29, 2019

That's not worth $300, but I would buy and have bought a messy tank for cheap! My first tank was a 28 gallon nanocube. Got it with an old metal halide light, reefkeeper two that needed new probes, and the return pumps. I paid $20 bucks for it. I had to put some money back in it to get it up and running, but it was a great way to get in the hobby. Sometimes I wish I still had that tank.