New and not sure

[Ratt]

I have always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium. Have had success with freshwater over the years. Now it’s time to take the plunge. Not sure if I should use my 85 gallon bow front aquarium. I was considering starting from the ground up with that. But there’s Craigslist…… One individual leaving the hobby is selling a 100 gallon with live rock, 3 clown fish, one tang, one angel and a hermit crab, sump tank lights the whole setup running. All for $1500
Am I asking for trouble going this route? He claims it’s ready to add coral. Please advise if I should stay at my slow snails pace or should I jump start into this hobby. I have enjoyed reading lots of posts on here and am looking forward for years to come. I have attached the CL listing because I don’t know what half the stuff is. Lol thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium. Have had success with freshwater over the years. Now it’s time to take the plunge. Not sure if I should use my 85 gallon bow front aquarium. I was considering starting from the ground up with that. But there’s Craigslist…… One individual leaving the hobby is selling a 100 gallon with live rock, 3 clown fish, one tang, one angel and a hermit crab, sump tank lights the whole setup running. All for $1500
Am I asking for trouble going this route? He claims it’s ready to add coral. Please advise if I should stay at my slow snails pace or should I jump start into this hobby. I have enjoyed reading lots of posts on here and am looking forward for years to come. I have attached the CL listing because I don’t know what half the stuff is. Lol thank you

Assure it does not leak and included equipment actually functions

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board! hello from PA!

 

[Ratt]

Assure it does not leak and included equipment actually functions

For sure, the seller is coming across pretty eager to dump it. Back to my bow front aquarium. Are there any pros or cons on using it for a reef tank?

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

There is a risk of buying an aquarium that is already set up. Who knows what issues or pests the tank has had during its two years of being set up. And you will inherit that with the rock and sand.

Moving an established system is also a pretty big shock and tends to lead towards some set backs.

On the flip side getting already cycled rock is a huge benefit provided it's free of pests. It will make everything much smoother and easier.

Is there any pictures of the aquarium set up? Or a list exactly what the equipment is?

 

[Nano_Man]

 

[Ratt]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

There is a risk of buying an aquarium that is already set up. Who knows what issues or pests the tank has had during its two years of being set up. And you will inherit that with the rock and sand.

Moving an established system is also a pretty big shock and tends to lead towards some set backs.

On the flip side getting already cycled rock is a huge benefit provided it's free of pests. It will make everything much smoother and easier.

Is there any pictures of the aquarium set up? Or a list exactly what the equipment is?

This is what he has for pictures with the post. I can ask for specifics but don’t want to bother him if this is the wrong way for a beginner to go.

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[SPR1968]

Hi and welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Reef Devils]

I have always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium. Have had success with freshwater over the years. Now it’s time to take the plunge. Not sure if I should use my 85 gallon bow front aquarium. I was considering starting from the ground up with that. But there’s Craigslist…… One individual leaving the hobby is selling a 100 gallon with live rock, 3 clown fish, one tang, one angel and a hermit crab, sump tank lights the whole setup running. All for $1500
Am I asking for trouble going this route? He claims it’s ready to add coral. Please advise if I should stay at my slow snails pace or should I jump start into this hobby. I have enjoyed reading lots of posts on here and am looking forward for years to come. I have attached the CL listing because I don’t know what half the stuff is. Lol thank you

Welcome!

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[Evil1]

 

[DJC]

Welcome welcome

Buying a second hand system for your first set up can be difficult and you may find like said above equipment is not up to scratch or something not right with the chemistry in the tank

However it does has its advantages also set up ready to go will definitely get you learning quick about the whole system

But again you will definitely have many adverse effects transferring tank to new location and the move will for sure shock the tank and its inhabitants

If I was you I would prolly start slow and steady build your tank how you want it with your chosen live rock and your own chosen inhabitants you will learn to fine tune what you have chosen from the start and prolly get a way better understanding of your chemistry as it matures!

Welcome to the board

 

[Yang’s Blue Paradise]

Personally I do believe buying older setup is a great way to skip a lot of headaches that comes with starting a new tank. On the other hand, starting with a brand new set allows you to create your own unique setup.

When I first started I thought about getting older equipment, while it does save you a lot of money. It is very possible they could die the next week and don’t have warranty to replace it.

So I decided to spent little more and maintain the equipment better. Creating my own rock scape was also one of the most enjoyable process. Getting an older tank with their rock might not appeal to you.

I also really enjoyed going through the journeys of the first year for my tank. I ran into a lot of issues, that forced me to continually learn about this hobby. For me starting new as a beginner really prep me for better success in the future.

Theres pros and cons to both side. Definitely do more research to better prep for either situation

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Welcome to the reef!

 

[FrugalReefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!