Where do you all get your big tanks?

Hey there.
I'm looking at getting a large tank, in the 180 to 250 gallon range. I've priced a few out at stores but as you know brand new tanks of that size cost a small fortune. The Marineland 180 I had looked at was $1100 just for the tank alone. Ive been looking through Craigslist and such locally but nothing close to that size comes up. Best deal I've seen is PetSmart's 125g setup for $500ish. However, I'd like more height then a standard 125 provides. I'd prefer glass, but I'd be open to acrylic tanks. Where do you all think is best for tanks of this size?

 

Try Craigslist or Letgo too. You can find a good deal. I’d look online too, but PetSmart is good too. Here’s one for $700....

Hope this helps,

Christian

 

There is a Facebook group for my Central FL location that buys, sells, and trades. There are some huge tanks on offer right now.

You might see if there is something similar in your area.

 

I bought my 120 long at Petsmart's Black Friday sale. 5 yrs. ago. Stand & all, $300. The 120 long is a five foot tank. Its wider & taller that the 125, but a foot shorter. More of a show tank.
I'd really like a 180, but buying the 120 on sale saved me big bucks.
On a side note, a friend at work bought a used 180 for cheap. He invested several thousand dollars into making it a Saltwater reef. All went well for a few months until a catastrophic seal failure occured. Evidently a poor reseal by previous owner. Buy new or from somebody you know. Its worth the extra money.

 

I bought my 120 long at Petsmart's Black Friday sale. 5 yrs. ago. Stand & all, $300. The 120 long is a five foot tank. Its wider & taller that the 125, but a foot shorter. More of a show tank.
I'd really like a 180, but buying the 120 on sale saved me big bucks.
On a side note, a friend at work bought a used 180 for cheap. He invested several thousand dollars into making it a Saltwater reef. All went well for a few months until a catastrophic seal failure occured. Evidently a poor reseal by previous owner. Buy new or from somebody you know. Its worth the extra money.

My local pet smart has a 125 that they can't get rid of. It's been sitting there for almost a year. While I'd love to have it, I'm really looking for something bigger. My idea is a large South American tank. Acara, Rams, and Angels, maybe Geophagus.

I've heard bad things about Marinelands larger tanks, about the seals not being great. I seen a 220 or 240 double deep at my lfs that they ordered for a dude and he never picked it up, but I shyed away because what I've heard. The only thing that shows up on Craigslist in the like in my area is small tanks unfortunately. I may just have to take the plunge and sink about 1,500 in lol. Well $1550 because I'm going to have to bribe my friends with about $50 worth of beer to help me move into my house

 

My 120 is a Marineland. No problems.
I agree, go big or go home. Lol.

 

Find a fish store not pet store .
Buy new .Order if you have to .A fish store can have your tank in 1-2 weeks depending on day you order ..
I had one fish store that would order in new tanks for me for cost ..Got my 120 and 180 from him for probably under $1,000 for BOTH !

 

Find a fish store not pet store .
Buy new .Order if you have to .A fish store can have your tank in 1-2 weeks depending on day you order ..
I had one fish store that would order in new tanks for me for cost ..Got my 120 and 180 from him for probably under $1,000 for BOTH !

I have 2 great fish stores within 15 minutes of me, and they will both order for me. One of them keeps larger tanks in stock even, but I've been holding out to get a good deal. The few times I've seen a good used one they are drilled for a sump, and I'm not going to go that route because of noise so I had to pass.

 

I, picked up my 150 locally from an Air Force guy for 200 dollars for the tank alone. I knew him on Facebook when he was doing an Aquarium business on the side. He also had a complete 265 gallon setup for about $1000 dollars, there was just no room in my house for that beast. My 100 gallon was an eBay find that was a reef tank with wood stand and canopy for $300. If I had room in the house I could have picked up a 110 gallon today with canopy, filtration, and chiller for $100 in the parking lot of my LFS. There's deals out there You just have to be patient.

 

I have 2 great fish stores within 15 minutes of me, and they will both order for me. One of them keeps larger tanks in stock even, but I've been holding out to get a good deal. The few times I've seen a good used one they are drilled for a sump, and I'm not going to go that route because of noise so I had to pass.

A drilled tank can be blocked off with either glass plates siliconed over the hole or a block off bulkhead fitting installed.

 

Sumps rule !
If the tanks were Aqueons you should have got them .
Both of mine are Aqueon drilled mega overflows ..
Best easiest tanks ever IMO !

 

Sumps rule !
If the tanks were Aqueons you should have got them .
Both of mine are Aqueon drilled mega overflows ..
Best easiest tanks ever IMO !

I would totally go with a sump, but I'm keeping it in my bedroom, so a good canister or two is the route I'm leaning too lol. I have a large enough bedroom, and the only other place is my house would be my living room, but that's upstairs and I'd rather not have to move a tank that size up stairs, or brace my floor