Should I consider this offer?

[johnappleseed]

I have been wanting saltwater but I have no knowledge of saltwater besides what I can find online. I’ve never taken care of saltwater. I saw someone selling their established tank on fb market place for $400, 1. Is this a good deal and 2. how difficult would it be for me to move and this aquarium to my house? The description from the seller is:

“Open reef rimless tank, currently running salt water comes with everything ready to go. 62 gallon plus bottom tank and cabinet Fish and rocks are included. Must bring buckets to break down and to put fish in. Will be heavy. Has Reef Octopus skimmer, Dual sensor auto top off w/5 gallon Auga gases hydro fill reservoir, hydro reef light, finned heater controller, Dc pump controller dep 4000. I also have more live rocks. Bucket of salt And more.”

Would this be something I should consider purchasing? I only live about 25 min away

I’m going by Wednesday to take a look at it all before I make a decision, what questions and things should I look for?

 

[TX_REEF]

Yes, this looks like a good deal. I'd just want to know why they're selling to be safe, if they are just moving or getting out of the hobby, that's fine.

As far as moving, you'll want to move all rock and livestock into sturdy buckets or tubs, and if possible I'd leave some water in the bottom of the tank to keep the sand submerged. Then, move everything to the new location, get the tank filled back up, and re-introduce the livestock.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about care and maintenance.

 

[exnisstech]

Agreed it looks like a good deal. I think its wise to get into the hobby as cheaply as possible to make sure its something you want to pursue before spending a lot of money.

 

[JTP424]

Agree with points from @TX_REEF
- First confirm there's no leaks etc. (why selling it etc)
- Do you have an RO system? Or are you going to buy water?
- Do you have any way to mix salt? Are you planning on making a saltwater mixing station or buying? It would be more beneficial to replace the water when you do the move rather than move old water.
- Have enough buckets to hold all livestock, fish etc. with water while moving, it would be beneficial to have battery bubblers and some heaters even for the short trip as it's going to take you time to reset.
- Buckets for sand if you plan on keeping it
- Get yourself a buddy to help you move the tank.
- Make sure your new location is ready, level, proper GFCI outlet etc.

Nab fish and rock and put into buckets
Drain water
Disassemble

When you get everything to the new location, give it all a good clean with RO water

Assemble and make sure you know where everything and how everything works.

Re-acclimate everything.

Put things in tank.


You're also going to want to download any manuals you can find for any of the equipment, and get yourself some testing equipment unless he's giving you all that.


There's more.... but this is a start :)

 

[johnappleseed]

Agree with points from @TX_REEF
- First confirm there's no leaks etc. (why selling it etc)
- Do you have an RO system? Or are you going to buy water?
- Do you have any way to mix salt? Are you planning on making a saltwater mixing station or buying? It would be more beneficial to replace the water when you do the move rather than move old water.
- Have enough buckets to hold all livestock, fish etc. with water while moving, it would be beneficial to have battery bubblers and some heaters even for the short trip as it's going to take you time to reset.
- Buckets for sand if you plan on keeping it
- Get yourself a buddy to help you move the tank.
- Make sure your new location is ready, level, proper GFCI outlet etc.

Nab fish and rock and put into buckets
Drain water
Disassemble

When you get everything to the new location, give it all a good clean with RO water

Assemble and make sure you know where everything and how everything works.

Re-acclimate everything.

Put things in tank.


You're also going to want to download any manuals you can find for any of the equipment, and get yourself some testing equipment unless he's giving you all that.


There's more.... but this is a start :)

I do appreciate the help very much. I’m going by Wednesday to look at it and decide if I want to purchase, what are some things I should look for and what questions should I ask before I make my decisions?

 

[johnappleseed]

Yes, this looks like a good deal. I'd just want to know why they're selling to be safe, if they are just moving or getting out of the hobby, that's fine.

As far as moving, you'll want to move all rock and livestock into sturdy buckets or tubs, and if possible I'd leave some water in the bottom of the tank to keep the sand submerged. Then, move everything to the new location, get the tank filled back up, and re-introduce the livestock.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about care and maintenance.

I do appreciate the help very much. I’m going by Wednesday to look at it and decide if I want to purchase, what are some things I should look for and what questions should I ask before I make my decisions?

 

[Fish Fan]

Looks like a very good deal considering the equipment being included. Good luck!

 

[JTP424]

Some of these don't REALLY matter, but they're beneficial

- What type of salt do they use
- Do they dose anything
- What are they feeding
- Type and age of lights, % they get run at and their typical schedule.

Make or break questions are really more directed towards you and whether you can put the time, energy, and money into it.

I'd say you'd probably want to add another couple hundred dollars to your budget for this, just for safety, i.e. buying more salt and an RO setup, testing equipment, backup equipment (heaters etc)

 

[slogan315]

I got a very similar deal/situation when I started a few years ago. Agree with what others have said.

I’d highlight the water making situation. Conventional wisdom is 10-20% water change per week. And you’ll need RO for top off water from evaporation. Go ahead and plan for how you’re going to make/buy water.

Also, I’d recommend having a plan for the livestock. I had to rush tearing down a running tank, and setting it back up to as fast as possible. This led to issues and regrets with how I set up the tank. I wish I had just put the rock/corals/fish in a separate container for a few weeks, while taking my time starting the tank right. Every thing can live in a smaller tank or even a Rubbermaid tote for a few weeks happily. Proved you still have the basics: flow, heat, light, and handle evaporation

 

[JumboShrimp]

$400.00 doesn't buy much these days-- if it all checks out (per the suggestions of others, above), sounds like a very good value that you can really enjoy from the get-go. Best wishes!

 

[mook1178]

That's a great deal! Listen to the good advice. I only want to add, plan on taking a full day to move and setup.. Take pictures if you can before they breakdown the equipment and plumbing.

 

[malacoda]

I'm going to go against the crowd here...

You said you "have no knowledge of saltwater besides what I can find online. I’ve never taken care of saltwater."...

IMHO, if you've never done saltwater before, setting up your own tank step by step is a smarter way to go than buying an already up and running system.

Buying an empty tank — even a basic, empty, all-in-one — then adding the other supporting components will force you to research each item/component a bit ... and give you a basic understanding of how it works and what it is meant to do.

In other words, it will give the time and opportunity to figure out the basics so you are educated and prepared when you add livestock to it.

On the other hand...

If you buy this ready-to-go system — livestock and all — you WILL NEED to know how to work it from day one. Otherwise, instead of getting a bargain and saving money, there is a good chance you will have yourself a $400 tank full of dead fish and coral in a few weeks.

Now, if I misunderstood your statement above, and you...

• have a basic idea of how saltwater works — e.g. how your bio-filtration works, what water parameters you should be checking regularly, how to manage alkalinity and calcium properly (hard to tell if there are any lps or sps corals in that tank), what to do if a parameter is off, etc.
• have a reasonable idea of how all the equipment works
• are ready and prepared to make RODI and saltwater as needed

...then, a fully stocked system might be worthwhile right out of the gate.

 

[JumboShrimp]

The resolution on the photo isn't great, but on my phone it looks like 90-100% established softies, and minimal (any?) fish.

 

[jmcdona6]

I agree with Malacoda.

You asked is it a good deal essentially. The answer to that question is yes, it looks like it as long as the details above already mentioned checks out.

Should you? Debatable. I would say there is a good chance you end up killing a good chunk of the livestock you are taking responsibility for because you don't know what's going on. Tank transfers are already stressful for livestock even in experienced hands.

I would recommend keeping an eye out on the market for a good set of dry equipment and go through the process properly.

 

[JumboShrimp]

OP, any chance you have a mentor who lives nearby?

 

[KrisReef]

I agree with @malacoda, kind of.

Buy. the tank, sell or trade in the livestock for cash or store credit or donate it for good will unless you have someone else who can help you out with moving and set up on purchasing day. It is a huge ordeal to move and set up a tank and to keep livestock alive if you have never done it before.

It can be done, but taking it in smaller steps is safer.

If you do try to keep their fish, please buy a brute trash can and mix up some saltwater at your place so that step is handled before you bring home the setup (nice one,btw!)

I think you will be fine with that tank and lights and system for awhile, and with some luck you’ll get it all done without killing all the fish, and your significant other if they are as challenging as I have here at home.

Keep us posted, buy the equipment and donate the livestock. You will want to pick out your own anyway.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Agree its a good deal but man, that is going to be a long tough day. Bring some patient friends with you if you decide to buy it. Good luck.

 

[KrisReef]

I agree with @malacoda, kind of.

Buy. the tank, sell or trade in the livestock for cash or store credit or donate it for good will unless you have someone else who can help you out with moving and set up on purchasing day. It is a huge ordeal to move and set up a tank and to keep livestock alive if you have never done it before.

It can be done, but taking it in smaller steps is safer.

If you do try to keep their fish, please buy a brute trash can and mix up some saltwater at your place so that step is handled before you bring home the setup (nice one,btw!)

I think you will be fine with that tank and lights and system for awhile, and with some luck you’ll get it all done without killing all the fish, and your significant other if they are as challenging as I have here at home.

Keep us posted, buy the equipment and donate the livestock. You will want to pick out your own anyway.

And a mixing pump and possibly a heater if you live near the North Pole and not the equator?

Seee, I have a few decades of experience and I struggle to give reasonable advice/help. A tank set up can easily take 24-48 hours to get everything working properly together.

Buy the tank.

 

[twentyleagues]

It all looks fairly new and clean. I would have jumped all over this back in the day. They spent way more money than that buying all that.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I have been wanting saltwater but I have no knowledge of saltwater besides what I can find online. I’ve never taken care of saltwater. I saw someone selling their established tank on fb market place for $400, 1. Is this a good deal and 2. how difficult would it be for me to move and this aquarium to my house? The description from the seller is:

“Open reef rimless tank, currently running salt water comes with everything ready to go. 62 gallon plus bottom tank and cabinet Fish and rocks are included. Must bring buckets to break down and to put fish in. Will be heavy. Has Reef Octopus skimmer, Dual sensor auto top off w/5 gallon Auga gases hydro fill reservoir, hydro reef light, finned heater controller, Dc pump controller dep 4000. I also have more live rocks. Bucket of salt And more.”

Would this be something I should consider purchasing? I only live about 25 min away

I’m going by Wednesday to take a look at it all before I make a decision, what questions and things should I look for?

If those are AI HYDRA lights, they alone are worth $900. Your skimmer is worth about $300. This is a great deal. Everyone is giving you incredible advice thus far I would say that if the seller would be helpful over the phone to give you advice, that would be a major plus

you’re going to have a lot of questions along the way and that would be a good source for information. Buy your salt water first And then worry about getting an RO system and making your own salt.

You’ve asked if you should buy it I would say if you have your heart set on getting into the hobby you’re not gonna find a deal like that very often