Need help getting out responsibly

[Pete Paschall]

Hello all,
I've been away from R2R for some time, so I hope this post is okay as far as meeting requirements for the forum...

I have been keeping reef tanks for the better part of 20 years, but as you all know, it is a lot of work. For the past couple of years, I have been doing the work to keep a successful tank, but I am no longer loving the work. With that said, it is time for me to get out of the hobby. Here is where I need some advice - what is the best approach to breaking down a tank, with the primary focus being on being responsible to the inhabitants? Ideally, I would love to recoup some of the money I have put in, but that takes a back seat to doing it as efficiently and responsibly as possible. To be honest, I am pretty overwhelmed by the thought of breaking the tank down, and doing it piecemeal seems almost impossible. Is it worth trying to sell it as a total package (that seems like a pipe dream)? Should I try to sell the livestock as a lot and then the equipment separately, because I don't see being able to remove a few fish here or there without removing all of the rocks and corals also?

I have reached out to a couple of local(ish) LFSs to see if they would be interested in a What-a-deal on the livestock, but they don't seem all that enthusiastic about it. What are my options? I have even considered basically giving the livestock away to a good home and maybe try to recoup some costs with the tank and equipment, but would like to hear from someone more experienced with tank tear downs before I just give up on finding a mutually beneficial situation for the livestock.

Here are some details about the tank:

- Waterbox Infinia Peninsula 6025 with sump and black stand
- Lifereef skimmer
- Coralvue Hydros XP8, X4, and Wave Engine (G1) control
- 2 X Reefi Duo Extreme lights on black aluminum rail
- Mixed reef with too many corals to list here
- Good selection of fish that get along well (again, too much to list for the purposes of this post), but no new livestock other than nudibranchs for a couple of aptasia has been added in at least 15 months (probably longer), so all indicators are that the tank is healthy and thriving
- Located in Eastern (Coastal) North Carolina

Thank you for any advice you can give.

Pete

 

[Saltyreef]

Post it as a whole package, locally. If that fails by the time you decide you dont want to care for it any longer, start with rehoming livestock for free and sell the equipment after the tank is broken down and free of livestock.

 

[Freenow54]

If its like anything else you may get 40% and all the aggravation is not worth that . Countless strangers coming into your home ........ I bought a used Tank because of my son . Its a huge move and your Tank is daunting . Try a solid price weed out tire kickers as best you can . Explain the complexities of moving it that will tell and help a lot . Tell them to go to a LFS and price stuff and agree on the phone. That is all I have . A tough situation

 

[exnisstech]

I would try to re-home livestock and then sell the rest for what you can get or give it away. LFS may take the livestock if you explain the situation and are willing to give them away. I'm a give away or throw away kinda guy because I don't like dealing with people. Once upon a time I'm would invite a stranger in for coffee and talk but not these days.