New to Saltwater!! Should I go throught with the purchase?

[Sebastian A.]

Hello, I've been looking to get into the saltwater hobby for a while now and have been doing a lot of research, and came here for some opinions!

I was surfing craigslist and found a used Nuvo 20, the purchased would come with the tank, a bit of rock and sand, a Fluval 306 Canister filter, a BRS stage 4 RODI system, and some instant ocean reef salt. ( and a diy stand)

-I know a 20 gallon is small to start but I'm restricted on space.
- I know canister filters aren't really used on saltwater but I do have freshwater tanks it can be used on.
- My plan is to start with a FOWLR tank and slowly convet into a reef.

It's up for $120 but think I can lower it down some
Any opinions would help!

 

[King Turkey]

that's a good deal. question is does it leak. p.s I would ditch the canister filter it will only cause you issues. the are nitrate factories. but looks like a good deal to me.

 

[Peace River]

Assuming that nothing is tore up, the glass isn't all scratched up, etc. it sounds like a very good deal - like @crabcore mentioned a leak test is a very good idea.

...and Welcome to R2R!!!

#WelcometoR2R

 

[LadyMac]

I’m with the above, if everything works it’s a fantastic deal. I’m sure you’ll find a good use for the canister outside this build as well.

 

[King Turkey]

I’m with the above, if everything works it’s a fantastic deal. I’m sure you’ll find a good use for the canister outside this build as well.

like a bathroom garbage can? haha I kid I kid

 

[Jon Fishman]

 

[Triple.T]

If everything checks out, I'd buy that in a heartbeat. That's an excellent deal.

 

[Nano10]

It's a good deal if you're after a nano.

That said if you have room and want a larger tank, if you search a bit large tanks often come up for around the same price because people just want them gone.

I kind of regret not going the used route. Theres currently reef ready tanks ranging from 30 gallons to 90 going for slightly more than my nuvo 10 cost new.

But if you're set on a 20 gallon I'd make a deal with him for that tank.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

I think that is a great deal. You may want to invest in a TDS meter before you use any water made from a used RODI unit.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

That is a really great deal. Check it out, see if it leaks, and get it. Don't use the canister though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Super deal. Just assure it doesn’t leak

 

[sfin52]

That's a good deal. You can run a canister for a filter. I run fluval fx4 on a 75g tank. That's a good deal even if the tank leaks. PetSmart us running $1 gal deal right now.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Welcome to R2R and the hobby! Sounds like a good deal to me if everything checks out. There are quite a few people using canisters for their marine tanks, (also just HOB filters) too. You'll just have to pay attention to your maintenance schedule on it to keep it from giving you crazy amounts of nutrients.

 

[BeejReef]

Real good deal. You'd be fortunate to find a used RODI for that price.
All that little stuff.. glass scraper magnets, fish nets, a water change siphon... they're $20 a piece, easy.
Even if you never use that actual tank and filter for anything other than a qt, it's still a good deal.

I see it has a cover too! another $50 you won't have to spend.

 

[arturoo1977]

Good deal as everybody says. Thing with a 20 gal tank to start is that parameter fluctuations could be more drastic than in larger water volume tanks.
Its 100% viable, but you have to be patience and carefull when adding livestock and when performing water changes.
Congrats and happy reefing!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Definitely a good deal.
If you decide to get a bigger tank later, it would be a great QT set-up. I paid more than that setting up my QT piece by piece.
The canister filter, if properly maintained, can be quite effective. They are only a problem when detritus is allowed to build up and decompose.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

What's with all the canister filter hate?? I would definately use it at least until you can upgrade to a better set up. Just make sure you clean it regularly

 

[Sebastian A.]

That's a good deal. You can run a canister for a filter. I run fluval fx4 on a 75g tank. That's a good deal even if the tank leaks. PetSmart us running $1 gal deal right now.

Hey Man!!! Just went through with the deal luckily it was still there got if for 90$ and it turned out to be a Nuvo 25 lagoon!!! Saw that you run your tank with a Canister and was wondering how you did yours the one I got have came with carbon and a sponge will that work? The back of the tank has also biorings and filter floss too should I use that? Thanks in advance!!

 

[Sebastian A.]

It's a good deal if you're after a nano.

That said if you have room and want a larger tank, if you search a bit large tanks often come up for around the same price because people just want them gone.

I kind of regret not going the used route. Theres currently reef ready tanks ranging from 30 gallons to 90 going for slightly more than my nuvo 10 cost new.

But if you're set on a 20 gallon I'd make a deal with him for that tank.

Hey Man!!! Just went through with the deal luckily it was still there got if for 90$ and it turned out to be a Nuvo 25 lagoon!!! I know it's still kind of small but any tips you have would be very much appreciated!! Thanks in Advanced!!

 

[cancun]

Hey Man!!! Just went through with the deal luckily it was still there got if for 90$ and it turned out to be a Nuvo 25 lagoon!!! I know it's still kind of small but any tips you have would be very much appreciated!! Thanks in Advanced!!

Way to go!!!! Welcome to R2R!!!!! We are all here to help for sure!!!!!