What have you bought secondhand before? Was it worth it in the long run?

[Gumbies R Us]

One of the common ways I have seen people save money in the hobby is buying something secondhand. Maybe a previously owned tank or some equipment that was gently used. I am wondering what is something you have bought secondhand, and was it worth it to buy used? Curious to see what everyone says!

 

[RedoubtReef]

All kids of stuff. Got my Reefkeeper Elite used years ago and it's still running today. Bought a used Hamilton halide T5 fixture from forums here as well as my bubble Magus Curve 5 elite for $100 and it performs amazingly. In today's economy, you might as well light money on fire if you are not willing to consider used.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Most of my gear is used I would say the pieces that have been the best purchases over the years have been masterflex pumps. I’ve sold many at a profit over the last 30 years Skimmers, calcium reactors, any acrylic reactors are all good to buy used. I still am buying used halide gear when I see deals

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

Pretty much all of my gear. I got my tank (red sea 130dd) on fb marketplace for $250 and my wife's 32 biocube was $140. Both were pretty much plug and play systems. Upgraded my lights to a Steve's LED kit I got used on here. I have tons of lights, and powerheads, etc that I picked up used.

 

[Dbichler]

My entire tank except my lights bought as whole setup 5 years strong no issues. Why pay full price in an expensive hobby when people quit daily.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My entire tank except my lights bought as whole setup 5 years strong no issues. Why pay full price in an expensive hobby when people quit daily.

That's neat you were able to get a whole setup!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Most of my gear is used I would say the pieces that have been the best purchases over the years have been masterflex pumps. I’ve sold many at a profit over the last 30 years Skimmers, calcium reactors, any acrylic reactors are all good to buy used. I still am buying used halide gear when I see deals

Halides are worth it when you can get a good deal on them used!

 

[PapaFishRocks]

All my Apex gear and I have nearly the whole Hannah checker collection. All bought on Reef2Reef Marketplace.

Totally worth it.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

All my Apex gear and I have nearly the whole Hannah checker collection. All bought on Reef2Reef Marketplace.

Totally worth it.

People keeping telling me to check the marketplace for apex gear, and darn it I really should

 

[cdnco2004]

Tanks, wave pumps, lights, skimmers, return pumps.

 

[PR_nano]

Nuvo 20 hands down for me. I got a good deal and was my first tank on the saltwater side. Almost 4 years later, 2 moves and still like the tank and hobby.

 

[FUNGI]

Rena Filstar XP1....10 years old and still works like a charm

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

That's neat you were able to get a whole setup!

People sell full setups for pennies on the dollar alllll the time. Especially big setups, it's a niche market so they're hard to sell and hard to move. And it's a pain to part out. Even smaller tanks. I got my red sea 130dd for $250 and my wife's 32 biocube for $140. Both ad essentially plug and play setups.

 

[Adamc13o3]

Nothing wrong with used. Unless your local just make sure you buy from someone that’s been around. You can also tell the quality of the goods by the pictures. I find that hobbyists that keep original boxes usually take good care of their equipment.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

This tank minus coral. Included rock, skimmer, return pump, stand, Caron reactor 100.00. I would say worth it

 

[Kathy Floyd]

Got my Apex, RODI unit and Kessil 360 light.

 

[elysics]

Got a full running tank with life rock, beginner corals, cleaning crew, etc for peanuts. Only thing I had to change out was that horrible magnetic black sand and eventually got a better light, also used. Built my own dosing pump/ controller.

The heaters died eventually, the tunze pumps still run as good as ever.

Only thing on the tank itself I bought new was replacement heaters and a bladed magnetic cleaner

Definitely worth it, apart from the heaters which have limited life anyway, everything still runs fine years later and I saved 3-4 digits compared to buying new

 

[Tangs-A-Lot]

Unfortunately, I am currently (listed in R2R marketplace today) selling it all. If you’re in the NY tri-state area it’s a great deal.

 

[Gman83]

Protein skimmer, icecap gyre pums, some starting lights. All worked well and helped me get new to me equipment without breaking the bank.

 

[piranhaman00]

I would personally not buy used electrical equipment, lights , pumps ect