Should I buy this tank?

[weldrick208658]

I found a deal on Facebook marketplace for 500$ it’s a 180 gallon tank with stand and a bunch of equipment but the tank has been sitting dry for 6 years and he does not know if it holds water is it worth the risk of spending 500$

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would ask him to do a water fill test for you and see if it holds up. What does the tank look like?

 

[Fish Fan]

I've stored tanks dry for years with no ill effects on the seams, but I agree with Gumbies above, ask the seller to water test it. If they are unwilling, that might be a red flag.

 

[keithw283]

Ask him to do a leak test. If he is unwilling, offer him 250 and if the tank leaks, trash it and keep the equipment. This is assuming the equipment is worth hanging on to of course.

 

[Wildcats1023]

Ask him to do a leak test. If he is unwilling, offer him 250 and if the tank leaks, trash it and keep the equipment. This is assuming the equipment is worth hanging on to of course.

Agree offer 250 and if it leaks sell it for a reptile tank

 

[edd59]

180 gallons of water will do more damage than a new tank costs. i would buy new, the tank is the foundation of your reef.

 

[littlefoxx]

Would hate to see you lose that kind of money or have an issue when you fill it. If he is unwilling to leak test pass

 

[exnisstech]

I don't think sitting dry is bad as long as it hasn't been baking or stored in the sun. What scares me about larger used glass tanks is them leaking after being moved around.

 

[weldrick208658]

I would ask him to do a water fill test for you and see if it holds up. What does the tank look like?

He says him self that since it’s been sitting for 6 years I would need to re silicone so I don’t really know what to do

 

[DaSpo]

If you have to DIY silicone job, I would walkaway and maybe buy a new one without headaches

 

[Fish Fan]

He says him self that since it’s been sitting for 6 years I would need to re silicone so I don’t really know what to do

I believe he's just speculating but with that in mind, I would skip this tank. I have resealed tanks over the years by scraping out the inside silicone, and reapplying new silicon. It's worked for me on many tanks, the largest being a 125 gallon. However, I have since been told be those here at R2R that are much more knowledgable than I am that this is not advised. I've been told that the only safe way to redo a tank is to completely disassemble the individual panels, remove all traces of the old silicon, and then basically rebuild the tank from scratch. This is a difficult task to say the least, and best left to the professionals. I would hold out for something a little more solid, even if it's smaller.

 

[Submerge]

I'm with Fish Fan on this. A DIY silicone job on a 180 is nothing to sneeze at. Even the folks that are successful seem to come to the conclusion at the end it is not worth it.

Thats not to say you cannot find a good deal on Marketplace of a tank worth $500. That's exactly what I spent on the Planet Aquariums 150 I just got running.

Still installing parts but at least it is cycling and no leaks (or scratches).

You will find the right buy if you are willing to be picky.