Craigslist Steal?? Need Opinions Fast!

[Exxcalibur]

"45gal curved front fish tank with 50lbs live rock and 20 lb Live sand. Has protein filter, heater, and three pumps. Most pumps need new fan blades. Fish froze during power outage and all died. Live rock and Sand have been dry for 1 month now. Just want to get rid of the whole thing now. Needs a good cleaning and a couple new pumps, but is mostly ready to go. $75"

Is this s good deal? Pics of it look legit. Don't mind cleaning it and all, but concerned about the live rock and sand. Are they still good (live enough)? Also, does protein filter mean protein skimmer? Those are expensive

[Saltine]

If they have been dry for one month, they are no longer live... Still sounds like a deal $75 for a tank with equipment isn't bad.

[ontop27]

Most pumps need new fan blades...so they all need impellers so they dont work. Like saltine said the rock is no longer live and most people dont reuse sand. And this is just personal preference but i extremely dislike curved tanks because of the distortion

[kmbyrnes]

Pass. There are better deals to be had.

[Sk8r]

I use corner bows because they save space, and offer more room for corals. Another plus is that they can take one light kit, while the same size tank in a long takes 2 or more. My 54 g bow grew hammer like it was going out of style. That said, you would have to finesse the pump impellers (not fans; impellers that drive the water) and do a lot of cleaning. It's less than the guy paid for it, but I'd also ask how thick the glass is: thicker glass is higher quality. Worth taking a look-see, but be prepared to walk.

[Exxcalibur]

Pass. There are better deals to be had.

Better deals?! Good to know. Love to see an example if you ever come across one!

[Exxcalibur]

I use corner bows because they save space, and offer more room for corals. Another plus is that they can take one light kit, while the same size tank in a long takes 2 or more. My 54 g bow grew hammer like it was going out of style. That said, you would have to finesse the pump impellers (not fans; impellers that drive the water) and do a lot of cleaning. It's less than the guy paid for it, but I'd also ask how thick the glass is: thicker glass is higher quality. Worth taking a look-see, but be prepared to walk.

Great! Thanks. I asked for a picture of his so called protein filter but he didn't reply. If that piece of equipment works well, and the glass is good quality like you said to test, $75 would be a good deal I'd like to think? Also, how much work does finessing the pump propellers take?

[Nick92515]

Don't just buy cause u want a tank now, once you get it, it's still months away from fish. And see if there's any fish you would even like that are ok in a 46 gallon. Skimmer depends on brand and model also, I can buy a 25$ skimmer off ebay, doesn't mean it will work.

[70ss]

Better deals?! Good to know. Love to see an example if you ever come across one!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891:fun4:

[70ss]

Depending on condition of tank. (Age ,cracks ,scratches, leaks ect....) sounds like a decent deal.

[Sk8r]

Impeller depends on brand. SOmetimes cheap, sometimes not, sometimes not available. Eheim is a good brand.
White vinegar can remove white crust and spots.
By protein filter I'd hope he means protein skimmer. If otherwise, that's worthless. and it needs its own pump.

[kmbyrnes]

Better deals?! Good to know. Love to see an example if you ever come across one!
1. $125 for 110g tall, 30g sump, CPR overflow, Aqua-C EV180 skimmer, 900gph Little Giant pump, Mag 9 pump, stand, 2 - 175w MH fixtures, 110 lbs dead rock, misc timers and plumbing

2. $200 for 100g RR tank, stand and canopy, 29 sump, 900 gph Lttle Giant pump, Koralia wavemaker and 2 800 gph PH, 2 4ft PC fixtures with newer bulbs

3. Maybe not the best deal, but my favorite - $1200 for 350g 10'L x 30"W x 24"H 3/4" Acrylic eurobraced tank with covers, custom acrylic stand, 60g sump, more Little Giant pumps, AquaMedics skimmer

CL is your friend if you avoid impulse buys and are prepared to walk away. The mid size 90g - 150g range are always out there as folks realize they don't want the long term commitment, move, fail or just lose interest.

[Exxcalibur]

1. $125 for 110g tall, 30g sump, CPR overflow, Aqua-C EV180 skimmer, 900gph Little Giant pump, Mag 9 pump, stand, 2 - 175w MH fixtures, 110 lbs dead rock, misc timers and plumbing

2. $200 for 100g RR tank, stand and canopy, 29 sump, 900 gph Lttle Giant pump, Koralia wavemaker and 2 800 gph PH, 2 4ft PC fixtures with newer bulbs

3. Maybe not the best deal, but my favorite - $1200 for 350g 10'L x 30"W x 24"H 3/4" Acrylic eurobraced tank with covers, custom acrylic stand, 60g sump, more Little Giant pumps, AquaMedics skimmer

CL is your friend if you avoid impulse buys and are prepared to walk away. The mid size 90g - 150g range are always out there as folks realize they don't want the long term commitment, move, fail or just lose interest.

Wow! You weren't kidding. Thanks for the examples. Those are all pretty big tanks and i'm just starting out with the whole SW thing. Not sure I want the challenge of a +100 tank. But good to know that in the future those deals are out there

[Exxcalibur]

Impeller depends on brand. SOmetimes cheap, sometimes not, sometimes not available. Eheim is a good brand.
White vinegar can remove white crust and spots.
By protein filter I'd hope he means protein skimmer. If otherwise, that's worthless. and it needs its own pump.

Going to check it out today. It's still available. There was no picture so I have no idea what to expect about the "protein filter". if it is a skimmer that works this deal would be all the better.

[Exxcalibur]

Ok, I bought it. The guy was super nice and gave me literally all of his equipment. I've got a skimmer, heaters, two pumps, a filter, 50lbs of live rock, IO salt, two saltwater keeping books, countless food items, nets, the tank base furniture, ect all for $75. Total steal IMO. Plus, he left an inch of SW in the tank to keep the sand and rock live. What a guy!!

Keep in mind, everything is live within that inch of SW, but very nasty looking and slimy.

Now, the fun/hard part. WHERE ON EARTH DO I START?? Need some serious help guys. It's a mess..... Remember, I am a first timer so step-by-step instructions would be much appreciated!

[jsspallina]

offer him $50

[tattoosandfrags]

meh i would have waited myself like the guy said craiglist always has deals just have to be patient. I wanted to upgrade to a 4 foot 120 guy had one for 350 i was going to buy he backed out from selling it i end up finding the same exact one for 199 bucks like a month later.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p150/lilweezy954/AAB04079-1AC0-4E5A-B67F-538ED417BA0D_zpshjuocg8y.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/lilweezy954/media/AAB04079-1AC0-4E5A-B67F-538ED417BA0D_zpshjuocg8y.jpg.html)