KonaBoy

Well, it cames to all of us, an incurable, unpreventable, yet somewhat controllable disease. Some fear it, some embrace it with open arms (they're a bit ). It is called MTS aka, Multiple Tank Syndrome. It can be stalled by those with extremely strong will power...but many fall to it. At some point, mst find buying a new tank, heater, filter, etc, etc becomes expensive, so they turn to Craigslist, eBay, Kijiji, (search for aquarium, gallon, fish) newspaper, etc to feed their addicition. It's like cocaine. Here is my guide to purchasing used tanks.

Initial Inspection:
Do it look like it will hold water, or leak like a sieve? Inspect the silicone, look for cracks, etc.

Water Test:
If the tank is a reasonable size (under 55 gallons IMO) ask for them to fill it in front of you and look for leaks. If it's a small tank and they won't fill it up, I'd be weary. I might even ask for a "warranty" of sorts. Like if it doesn't hold water, get a refund or something. I would reccommend you fill up your tank outside or in your garage for a week before putting it in your house (Thanks Shania )

Price:
The general "rule" is a $1 per gallon of tank. So a bare 20 gallon should go for around $20ish. When people add in accessories, the price goes more up in the air. Do you really need that cruddy glass heater, neon orange gravel and saltwater gravel. Prices are usually negotiable, and if you don't want something, they may drop the price. Prices also vary due to your location though.

Think Ahead:
If it's a "big" tank, do you have the means to get it home? I have seen 75 gallons with everything for $100, yet the whole no vehicle thing prevented me from getting them. For anything over a 75 Gallon, I would be thinking a truck may be in order.

Size Question:
You see a "massive tank, all accessories, at least a 75 gallon, $15" and you get there and you see it's maybe a 20L. My advice is to print off a list of tank sizes (I like this site (can I do this?) http://www.cichlidforum.com/articles/aquarium_sizes.php) and bring along a measuring tape. I know a lot of people who have said "I'll take it" over the phone or email being told it was a 55, yet getting there and it being a 10 I'm sure there are some kind of legal actions avalible to you, but seriously, why would you?

This is just a quick, general guide for a person buying a used tank for the first time, I'm sure I've forgotten something someone much wiser and more infected with MTS will correct me on Cheers on getting a new tank

jeannejean81

Thank you so much! We are inspecting a tank tomorrow and I've been going back and forth about a used vs. new tank. This definitely gets me thinking the right type of questions to ask.

KonaBoy

Hope this helped then

Shaina

As a cautionary note, because no one wants to wake up to find that their second story tank water is now in the basement and their fish are taking a stab at being terrestrial:

If you get a used tank and have *any* doubt that it might seep water or whatever, fill it up in your garage, outside, or whatever you don't care about cascading water, and leave it like that for about three days, inspecting frequently for dampness along the seams or outside.

If you put it on brown paper towels or something like that, it's easier to see if there was a leak by the paper discoloration...the same applied to running that paper along the seams to check for dampness.

This is also a good idea for large new tanks, in case there's a flaw somewhere.

KonaBoy

Just edited it Thanks for reminding me of that

angelfish220

WOW!! tanks are dirt cheap at yard sales here then. I got my 55 for 10$, all it needed was resiliconed and I got the silicon at lowes for about 3$!! that means I spent 13$ for what should be a 55$ tank!!!!!!!

Shaina