Used aquarium prices (gripe)

Is it just my region, or do people around you have no idea on aquarium pricing?

40 gallon breeder, cracked and leaking. $80

Sorry, just no. All you need to do is walk into a retail store and see you can get that same tank every month new and not leaking (probably even with a warranty) for $40. Even new it’s barely $80

10 gallon, bare. $25

Look, people. If you want to sell stuff, actually try lol

 

Oh dang that sucks. At my LFS (north Fl) you can get some really nice used tanks for cheap

 

Is it just my region, or do people around you have no idea on aquarium pricing?

40 gallon breeder, cracked and leaking. $80

Sorry, just no. All you need to do is walk into a retail store and see you can get that same tank every month new and not leaking (probably even with a warranty) for $40. Even new it’s barely $80

10 gallon, bare. $25

Look, people. If you want to sell stuff, actually try lol

Saw one today for a 10g setup for $300....

 

There's some truth to this, but used listing prices are usually higher than used sales. I.e. negotiation is usually expected.

 

Ought to see Faceplant Marketplace. Some real dreamers there. In my area a 29 gallon with stand is $400-$500. I've seen some 75's with stands going $800 and up...with cracked tank braces.

Craigslist isn't any better either.

 

Actually not to bad in my area. I just bought a 60g tan, hood, lights and stand for 150

 

It definitely varies. Some people want back most of "what they have in it", which just isn't going to happen.

But when I decided to get back in the hobby 2 years ago I got a 75G tank, stand, glass lids, heater, LED light, and Fluval FX6 for $350 off FB marketplace. After I cleaned everything up it looked brand new.

 

There's some truth to this, but used listing prices are usually higher than used sales. I.e. negotiation is usually expected.

Agreed, but be realistic. You can’t ask new for broken used lol

It definitely varies. Some people want back most of "what they have in it", which just isn't going to happen.

But when I decided to get back in the hobby 2 years ago I got a 75G tank, stand, glass lids, heater, LED light, and Fluval FX6 for $350 off FB marketplace. After I cleaned everything up it looked brand new.

It’s the same in the car world.

$12,000 “invested”

No, sorry. You just made it a lot more difficult to sell (unless you find that person) Too many emotions in hobbies. As far as I’m concerned what I spend is what I spend. It’s entertainment.

 

Varies a lot in my area. One listing might be a 125 tank and stand for like $250 then the very next listing might be a 10 gal tank with lid and stand, $300. Lot of swindlers out there.

Meanwhile, i just took a coupleof stands for 20 gal tanks to the LFS, figured i would give him a shot at making a bit of coin on them instead of me setting them on the curb.

 

Saw one today for a 10g setup for $300....

If I could get $300 for a 10g planted and stocked on a regular basis I could solve my over population, over planting, my snail problem….

lol

 

When I first started out I bought a scratched 40 breeder display tank for $20 from a store going out of business. I thought it was a great deal. Then, the next week, Petco had it's dollar a gallon sale (didn't know that was a thing back then). Could have had a new one for $40.

I was reminded of this every time I looked at the scratches in my used tank...

And yes, BPSabelhaus, people on this side of the US greatly overvalue the price of used aquariums as well. I've bought 3-4 over the years, but I no longer buy used.

 

Bottles of beneficial chemicals, a suitcase filled with test equipment, aquarium lights with moonlight function, a 3-stage filters because biological filtration matters too - I understand why some people cut down on an aquarium. It's just glass...

 

What you need to find are the people fed up withthe hobby. They practically be giving stuff away.

Most the high sellers are people who find the stuff in lockers and garages n stuff, in my experience.

 

What you need to find are the people fed up withthe hobby. They practically be giving stuff away.

Most the high sellers are people who find the stuff in lockers and garages n stuff, in my experience.

If you live near college towns, wait until the end of the semester when people are moving back home. College kids will usually sell them cheap. I've had good luck with that.

 

If you live near college towns, wait until the end of the semester when people are moving back home. College kids will usually sell them cheap. I've had good luck with that.

Often free.

2/4 tanks were free. One empty, the other full of wonderful things beyond the Cories they told me about lol

 

50 cents a gallon 55g and under, $1.00 a gallon above 55g.

Stands get funny, and I really haven't figured out how to price those when included in the deal, by design, or material, or both or neither. Filters are similar but if it doesn't look well cared for its of no additional value to me.
And if fish are "part of the deal" I'm automatically going to 25 cent to 50 cents a gallon. It's gonna mean I have to drain it and transport fish and that's gonna cost ya.

And yeah, leaks, damages all of that is additional work. I won't pay Kelley blue book value for the mileage for a crashed out car. People shouldn't do that for tanks either. The more work it is the cheaper it is, and yeah sometimes it's only fit for the junkyard.

I don't buy a lot of used tanks anymore, I'm not going to take home a hassle unless it's too great a deal to pass up and then the seller usually holds out for someone that don't know and will pay better.

Large tanks, 125g+ then you can get a really good value for it and it be worth the effort to do repairs the glass is thicker and better for polishing out, just better all around, still though $1.00 a gallon is my top offer for the tank. But then it gets awkward figuring out what the stand would be worth and fair priced.
Saltwater people tend to overprice everything, it's an expensive hobby and they kind of think they can recover their costs used as if it were new.

Very few deals work out but same goes for buying cars or houses or anything. The thing is you need to be firm with what your willing to pay and hopefully they are motivated to sell. Some people aren't and can wait forever. Leave your offer and a contact if they change their mind. Then offer less if they do call. Tax for waiting.

 

Heading out to grab a 30 gallon with stand.

Seller knows exactly what they have, a headache lol

Free fifty free 30 gal. Not sure if any livestock, but tank, stand, filter, heater and lid.
And a box with more stuff.
30 gal, stand, lid, 2 heaters, 3 filters….

 

Well, this is quite an ironic end to the OP's "Used Aquarium Price Gripe" thread.

 

Well, this is quite an ironic end to the OP's "Used Aquarium Price Gripe" thread.

That was an eventuality if you keep your eyes out. I limit myself to within 10 miles and still get them pop up somewhat regularly. I might have a line on a terrarium fogger too. Wouldn’t work for Alex, but would tempt me towards finally maybe having an orchid cabinet. Also comes with some calcium dust which is what I actually want lol New jar arrived today but if I can put off opening it for a month or two while I use up a fellow local reptile persons stash, why not get a free fogger with it, right? Lol