Thinking about getting out - need help making a plan

[Pete Paschall]

Hello All,

As the thread title says, after several years, I am considering getting out of the hobby. While I still enjoy it, I am getting older and I'd like to free up some time for travel. I currently have a Waterbox Infinity 6025 Peninsula tank/stand/sump that is up and running successfully with a mix of mostly lps corals and fish. To be honest, I am pretty overwhelmed thinking about how to responsibly take this tank down, and could use some help coming up with a plan. To my knowledge, there is not much of a reef tank scene here in coastal NC that I can tap into to re-home the fish and corals, and I'm not comfortable shipping livestock as I have never done that before. In a perfect world, someone who is looking to get into an already running tank would come along and buy it all outright, but that seems like a pipe dream. Has anyone successfully sold an up and running tank in one transaction, or is it going to be a matter of re-homing livestock and then selling equipment piecemeal? What considerations should I make before getting too far down the rabbit hole? I really want to do this the right way and do what's best for the livestock. Thanks for any advice you can provide...

Pete

 

[jcdeng]

I doubt anyone new that wants to get in will have to confidence to take on a large, complete running tank. Ppl with experience will tend to build their own setup from scratch. You have any LFS that maybe can take your coral and fishes? or, can help you ship them out? If not, if you have public aquariums near you, you can always donate your fishes to them, in a way, give your fish a better life.

After that, you can disassemble your tank at your leisure and sell dry goods online.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have sold complete systems and have also sold livestock/rock and then the aquarium system separate.

I am in central Virginia and go down to the beaches in NC often. I may be interested in the fish/ corals depending on what you have. I just upgraDed from a 125 to a 300 and have not added any more fish

 

[BeanAnimal]

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist will get work for the livestock as long as your not trying to sell at retail. The nearest LFS is also an option, especially if you simple donate. From there you can use the same marketplaces to take your time and sell the hardware for what you think it is worth.

 

[MnFish1]

Hello All,

As the thread title says, after several years, I am considering getting out of the hobby. While I still enjoy it, I am getting older and I'd like to free up some time for travel. I currently have a Waterbox Infinity 6025 Peninsula tank/stand/sump that is up and running successfully with a mix of mostly lps corals and fish. To be honest, I am pretty overwhelmed thinking about how to responsibly take this tank down, and could use some help coming up with a plan. To my knowledge, there is not much of a reef tank scene here in coastal NC that I can tap into to re-home the fish and corals, and I'm not comfortable shipping livestock as I have never done that before. In a perfect world, someone who is looking to get into an already running tank would come along and buy it all outright, but that seems like a pipe dream. Has anyone successfully sold an up and running tank in one transaction, or is it going to be a matter of re-homing livestock and then selling equipment piecemeal? What considerations should I make before getting too far down the rabbit hole? I really want to do this the right way and do what's best for the livestock. Thanks for any advice you can provide...

Pete

Hire your lfs to take it down and get money for the difference between the labor and the tank etc

 

[Matt L]

As someone who left before, I understand your concerns. I put my tips in this video, and wish you the best!

 

[MnFish1]

Hire your lfs to take it down and get money for the difference between the labor and the tank etc

By the way - I did this - due to a need for construction. It was all taken away and I got a nice dollar amount for the livestock (this was back when tangs were selling for $700. :)

 

[Pete Paschall]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Lots of good suggestions, and the video was great as well - keep 'em coming!

Pete

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Are you close to southeast VA? There is a decent reefing population there. If you are, pm me. I’ve got a couple of ideas.

 

[FishLvR]

You guys have a very active Facebook page I noticed after just a quick look. Join the and see if anyone is interested. Looks like 39k members.

 

[Pete Paschall]

Are you close to southeast VA? There is a decent reefing population there. If you are, pm me. I’ve got a couple of ideas.

Hey! I am located on the Crystal Coast of NC (middle coast), so I'm not very close to VA. But I am off work until mid-August, so I have some flexibility if that is any help.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Could try reaching out to Ryan at Premier Aquatics in Chesapeake VA. He might be able to help. He lives in NC but the shop is in VA.

There is also a Facebook group called “No BS Reefing” for southeast VA. May be able to post there.

I agree with others that Facebook groups will probably be your best bet. Trading into the LFS is kind of like trading a car in at the dealership.

 

[edsbeaker]

It can all be overwhelming!

I’ve had the best luck, selling things off in a manageable order. I also think this results in the highest profit, but it does require some work and patience as well as lots of people coming in and out of your house.

First I sell off coral, whatever doesn’t sell, remove from the tank and take to LFS. Now you can rearrange rock work to catch fish to sell. Again, whatever is left, see if LFS will give you anything or donate. Now there is only the equipment which is easier to ship or find buyers locally. The tank and stand are the last things. If you break the task up I think it is easier to manage.

If you are just wanting to be done with it, I think your best option is a LFS or a maintenance service that can take it down for you. In both of these cases you will make much less money, but it will be quick and easy.

In my opinion, I would be a bit concerned letting a stranger (Edit: not professionals) into my house to take apart an entire tank setup with no insurance, possibly breaking or damaging things and leaving you with a mess. Yes, I have trust issues!

 

[MnFish1]

It can all be overwhelming!

I’ve had the best luck, selling things off in a manageable order. I also think this results in the highest profit, but it does require some work and patience as well as lots of people coming in and out of your house.

First I sell off coral, whatever doesn’t sell, remove from the tank and take to LFS. Now you can rearrange rock work to catch fish to sell. Again, whatever is left, see if LFS will give you anything or donate. Now there is only the equipment which is easier to ship or find buyers locally. The tank and stand are the last things. If you break the task up I think it is easier to manage.

If you are just wanting to be done with it, I think your best option is a LFS or a maintenance service that can take it down for you. In both of these cases you will make much less money, but it will be quick and easy.

In my opinion, I would be a bit concerned letting a stranger into my house to take apart an entire tank setup with no insurance, possibly breaking or damaging things and leaving you with a mess. Yes, I have trust issues!

Most tank maintenance companies are insured - however, it is a question to ask!!

 

[edsbeaker]

Most tank maintenance companies are insured - however, it is a question to ask!!

whoops! I probably didn’t say it clearly, but I meant the strangers off the street from Facebook, etc, not companies that do this all of the time.