Need Help if Purchase is Worth the Price

[teeeerav]

Hi all, I have kept freshwater planted aquariums but am new to reef tanks. Looking into purchasing a bundle and wanted to see if you all think it is worth the price. I am having buyers remorse before even buying it, but to me it is a heck of a good deal. I have to drive 4.5 hours to pick it up so I want to make sure it is worth it. I live in a rural area without many options on the used market. Thank you for your responses!

New Reef Ready 120 gallon tank and stand

Used Royal Exclusive Vertex Alpha 170 skimmer

New unknown skimmer pump from BRS

40 breeder tank and cut glass for sump not yet installed, 2 tubes of silicone

150 lbs unused Marco rock

Used BRS 6 stage Deluxe RODI system and extra filters

Used BRS refractomometer

Salifert test kits- calcium, magnesium, alkalinity

Used Phosphorus Hanna Checker with packets

Used misc air pump with stone

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals for 200 gallons

1 pound BRS GFO granules

4 pounds BRS soda ash

2 small bags of BRS magnesium chloride/magnesium sulfate

New life spectrum reef fish food pellets

 

[KrisReef]

For free I would not hesitate! (No price listed?)

And without knowing (or seeing) the condition of the equipment it's hard to know about scratches, filth, and what not to estimate the value. 4.5 hours is a pain in the gas tank, not to mention loading (do you have a truck / trailer?) and the costs of the move.

IF the cost is 1/2 the price of the new tank empty then it's fair. Much higher I would balk, because it's used and all of the "goodies" are not going to set the tank up for you, you have to do that yourself.

 

[GARRIGA]

Buying used means accepting what the other chose. If that works and at half price as mentioned then worth it although what's your time worth driving minimum 9 hours round trip, possibly finding out later it leaked or you end up changing most of the components?

New can be delivered as ordered. Only self can decide that and I'm partial to new and how I want it. Have experienced mostly buyers remorse getting another's no longer desired option although that's my experience.

 

[Mschmidt]

I agree with @KrisReef. a 9 hour round trip would have me out for anything more than half price on the big stuff: tank, stand (maybe), skimmer, sump (maybe), rock. The extra goodies I might use to round up to the nearest $100.

What is your time worth? It's a full day to get this tank you your house. If you have a truck, then it's just the fuel and wear and tear that matter. Personally, a full day, especially a weekend day is worth $500 to $1k. less if it's a place I want to go and can make a weekend of it. I'd add that differential to the total and see if it's worth it, or should I just buy new and have delivred.

There are some useful things there, only if the test kits aren't expired. I'd replace the filters on the RO regardless of how they look. I wouldn't add anything for the air pump, skimmer pump, additives, food, or refractometer.

If you're already regretting buying it, and haven't spent any money, trust that and walk away.

 

[rhitee93]

The manufacturer of the tank and stand makes a difference too. The cheapest you'll find a budget level 120 and stand (new) in my area would probably be about $1000-$1200. However, my custom made 120 and stand cost 4x that.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

If i were to put a price on this, sight unseen. I'd feel comfortable around $600-1200 on that lot.

 

[exnisstech]

As mentioned a price is needed. Personally I'm not a fan of used glass tanks. More than once I've heard of a tank that held water leaking after being moved and set up. I assume from the glass flexing durring the move because the leaks were at a seam. Could have been rough handling I suppose. 9hr drive for me would mean it has to be a smoking hot deal not just a decent deal.

 

[KrisReef]

If i were to put a price on this, sight unseen. I'd feel comfortable around $600-1200 on that lot.

And if it’s less than that it’s worth considering the drive. ( I didn’t verify the retail price

 

[GARRIGA]

Couldn't one build a tank in 9 hours :thinking-face:

 

[teeeerav]

Hi all, I have kept freshwater planted aquariums but am new to reef tanks. Looking into purchasing a bundle and wanted to see if you all think it is worth the price. I am having buyers remorse before even buying it, but to me it is a heck of a good deal. I have to drive 4.5 hours to pick it up so I want to make sure it is worth it. I live in a rural area without many options on the used market. Thank you for your responses!

New Reef Ready 120 gallon tank and stand

Used Royal Exclusive Vertex Alpha 170 skimmer

New unknown skimmer pump from BRS

40 breeder tank and cut glass for sump not yet installed, 2 tubes of silicone

150 lbs unused Marco rock

Used BRS 6 stage Deluxe RODI system and extra filters

Used BRS refractomometer

Salifert test kits- calcium, magnesium, alkalinity

Used Phosphorus Hanna Checker with packets

Used misc air pump with stone

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals for 200 gallons

1 pound BRS GFO granules

4 pounds BRS soda ash

2 small bags of BRS magnesium chloride/magnesium sulfate

New life spectrum reef fish food pellets

$800 for all of it

 

[teeeerav]

For free I would not hesitate! (No price listed?)

And without knowing (or seeing) the condition of the equipment it's hard to know about scratches, filth, and what not to estimate the value. 4.5 hours is a pain in the gas tank, not to mention loading (do you have a truck / trailer?) and the costs of the move.

IF the cost is 1/2 the price of the new tank empty then it's fair. Much higher I would balk, because it's used and all of the "goodies" are not going to set the tank up for you, you have to do that yourself.

I knew I forgot something. $800 for all of it

 

[teeeerav]

These are all very good points. It would be roughly $120 in gas, minimum 10 hours of my day factoring in loading everything and stopping for gas, all to get potentially expired items and other that might not work.

 

[KrisReef]

If they are asking 8 they might be hoping for 4, but if the price is “firm” I might wait and see if they get it sold to someone who lives closer.

But it’s always your comfort that matters.

 

[littlefoxx]

$800 for all of it

100% a good deal. Ive bought both my big tanks used. The 125 gallon and then my 300 gallon

 

[teeeerav]

Decided to pass. Ended up finding a tank a little closer. Found a Red Sea Max S500 resealed two years ago. Agreed on $1500 but includes all original items, radion xr30 g5, full apex classic system with wet probes, trigger sump, new varios 6 pump 5 Gallon ATO, skimmer, calcium reactor, UV sterilizer, misc frag items, 10 and 20 gal QT setups, original stand and custom wooden stand, misc cleaning and general upkeep supplies. The many pictures I got show everything has been cleaned well and seemingly taken care of. It is close enough that if something doesn’t seem right when I go to pick it up, I won’t feel like it is a wasted trip if I leave without it.

 

[Troylee]

Decided to pass. Ended up finding a tank a little closer. Found a Red Sea Max S500 resealed two years ago. Agreed on $1500 but includes all original items, radion xr30 g5, full apex classic system with wet probes, trigger sump, new varios 6 pump 5 Gallon ATO, skimmer, calcium reactor, UV sterilizer, misc frag items, 10 and 20 gal QT setups, original stand and custom wooden stand, misc cleaning and general upkeep supplies. The many pictures I got show everything has been cleaned well and seemingly taken care of. It is close enough that if something doesn’t seem right when I go to pick it up, I won’t feel like it is a wasted trip if I leave without it.

Be warned them tanks love to let go at the seams! I’d personally never own a Red Sea no matter what generation it is!

 

[braaap]

Decided to pass. Ended up finding a tank a little closer. Found a Red Sea Max S500 resealed two years ago. Agreed on $1500 but includes all original items, radion xr30 g5, full apex classic system with wet probes, trigger sump, new varios 6 pump 5 Gallon ATO, skimmer, calcium reactor, UV sterilizer, misc frag items, 10 and 20 gal QT setups, original stand and custom wooden stand, misc cleaning and general upkeep supplies. The many pictures I got show everything has been cleaned well and seemingly taken care of. It is close enough that if something doesn’t seem right when I go to pick it up, I won’t feel like it is a wasted trip if I leave without it.

Don’t do it. Red Sea tanks are junk. Even resealed. The problem wasn’t the silicone. It was the tank design and the stand design. DO NOT DO IT.

That said IM is having a sale. And it’s a screaming deal.

 

[teeeerav]

Be warned them tanks love to let go at the seams! I’d personally never own a Red Sea no matter what generation it is!

Took that into consideration but anything I could find was the Max S- series were not prone to that like the G1 and now some G2 tanks are. The fact that it has been resealed makes me feel better about it