Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > New to the Hobby
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 08/06/2020, 07:37 AM   #1
PaulieReef
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 291
Large Used Tank Questions before buying and transportation

Hey all,

I am not necessarily new, but I have never bought a used tank before, and about to buy a BIG used one.

I did some research on what to look for and I am going to see the tank this Saturday before buying and picking it up the following Saturday.

The deal is kind of unbeatable which makes me nervous, full 240g tank setup including, 3 Kessil 360 and 4 vipar spectrum light boxes, 90 gallon sump, apex classic with two energy bars, protein skimmer, return pump, the works, only for $2000.

The main thing I am worried about is the seal of the tank, the tank is about eight years old, two owners, first had it for six, current has had it for two.

Main things to look for, excess bubbles in the seal between glass panels, chips in the glass, any salt creep at the base of the tank or edges.

I already am planning on resealing the inner silicone of the tank as it is eight years old.

Is there anything major I should look for when I go up saturday? The tank is currently up and running, upon inspection on Saturday and the approval of buying it, the previous owners will begin to break it down for transport the following week.

For transport I plan on renting a 10' uhaul, as putting an eight foot tank in my 5' bed just doesn't seem smart. I also plan on putting a thick foam/rubber pad under the tank in the uhaul to prevent damages while traveling (1h 30 minutes distance).

Thoughts/concerns/missing anything?

Excited to be part of the reefing community again.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg 110094269_10217492537245349_1595154783308761647_n.jpg (38.9 KB, 26 views)
PaulieReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/06/2020, 08:41 AM   #2
Michael Hoaster
Registered Seaweedist
 
Michael Hoaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 5,807
It sounds like a good deal and it sounds like you're covering all the bases. It's great that you can see it in action before deciding. I can't think of anything else you could do. Maybe let a little air out of the trailer tires? It may be a good idea to contact some glass tank builders and ask for transport pointers.


__________________
As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
Michael Hoaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/06/2020, 06:43 PM   #3
Sk8r
RC Mod
 
Sk8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 34,628
Blog Entries: 55
If you can get big styrofoam sheet for it to sit on, plus some U-Haul big orange straps with takeup ratchet to keep it steady and prevent rolling---it would help. I'd also use cardboard scrap to brace the sides and inside, to cushion against any point-impact in some highway desperation maneuver. Hopefully the transport will be gentle and emergency-free. Definitely have your help lined up and heavily bribed with pizza to get that item safely indoors.


__________________
Sk8r

Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low.

Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.
Sk8r is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/07/2020, 02:10 PM   #4
PaulieReef
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sk8r View Post
If you can get big styrofoam sheet for it to sit on, plus some U-Haul big orange straps with takeup ratchet to keep it steady and prevent rolling---it would help. I'd also use cardboard scrap to brace the sides and inside, to cushion against any point-impact in some highway desperation maneuver. Hopefully the transport will be gentle and emergency-free. Definitely have your help lined up and heavily bribed with pizza to get that item safely indoors.
Good ideas!


PaulieReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/09/2020, 03:14 PM   #5
outssider
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Reseda, Ca.
Posts: 1,717
I would check carefully for scratches. That's something you'll have to live with forever. Also I wouldn't reseal it unless it's bad, you may end up doing more harm than good unless you really know what your doing


__________________
Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …...

Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps
outssider is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/09/2020, 04:35 PM   #6
PaulieReef
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by outssider View Post
I would check carefully for scratches. That's something you'll have to live with forever. Also I wouldn't reseal it unless it's bad, you may end up doing more harm than good unless you really know what your doing
Few scratches but nothing noticeable stepping back from the tank. As far as resealing, going to have to do it, the seals arn't terrible, but I don't want to have to do it in a few years when the tank is setup and established.

I will be doing a week long leak test after I reseal it and let it cure.


PaulieReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/10/2020, 09:57 AM   #7
Vinny Kreyling
Registered Member
 
Vinny Kreyling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
New silicone will not adhere to old silicone.
Good Luck with it.


__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.
Vinny Kreyling is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/10/2020, 11:31 AM   #8
PaulieReef
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling View Post
New silicone will not adhere to old silicone.
Good Luck with it.
Yup! I ordered a scrapper and some acetate, so it has a nice clean new surface!


PaulieReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/11/2020, 04:01 PM   #9
PaulieReef
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 291
After much discussion, decided to just hiring a moving company that is fully insured. $575 bucks to move it, I feel is worth it.


PaulieReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/11/2020, 05:08 PM   #10
Michael Hoaster
Registered Seaweedist
 
Michael Hoaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 5,807
Sounds like a plan. Good luck!


__________________
As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
Michael Hoaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/11/2020, 05:09 PM   #11
wsboyette
Registered Member
 
wsboyette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: N.E.N.C.
Posts: 140
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulieReef View Post
After much discussion, decided to just hiring a moving company that is fully insured. $575 bucks to move it, I feel is worth it.
It's such a large setup, you are best to have professionals move it. I can't imagine moving a 240 gallon tank !


__________________
Oh..... Fishy Fishy Fishy FISH !

Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Fish-Only With Dry Rock, Filtration: Aquamaxx HOB Filter/Skimmer & Aqua-Tech 30-60 300 GPH HOB Motor Filter, Livestock: Coral Beauty and Maroon Clown
wsboyette is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/11/2020, 05:57 PM   #12
Vinny Kreyling
Registered Member
 
Vinny Kreyling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
3 guys moved my 250-- should have seen the odd guy on 1 end.


__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.
Vinny Kreyling is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 08/12/2020, 06:51 AM   #13
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
 
MondoBongo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 4,061
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulieReef View Post
After much discussion, decided to just hiring a moving company that is fully insured. $575 bucks to move it, I feel is worth it.
i was coming here to say just this. professional movers are never a bad idea with large tanks.

i bought a large used tank a few years back (160g oceanic) and it was something else to marshal around. even with 3 large, strong people, we had a hell of a time getting it in the van and in the house.

as for the price. wanting to get rid of a big tank is a powerful motivator. i paid $900ish for mine (used) when i bought it, it came with some equipment. i sold/traded/gave away most of the equipment that i didn't need. used the tank for several years, and when it came time to get rid of it, i couldn't find any takers.

i ended up cutting the asking price all the way down to $250 with some free frags, still no bites. so i finally threatened to just call 1800gotjunk on my local reef group and someone finally came and got it for free.

there's a real niche market for large tanks. to some people they're quite valuable, to others, just a hassle, and that outlook can change quickly.

as far as the seal goes... my tank was built in 2005 and still had the original seals. it had been through 3 owners and was still tight as a drum. if those original seals look like they're in good shape, i would probably just leave them alone myself. if it ain't broke, ya know?


__________________
[Citation Needed]

"You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd

Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.
MondoBongo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.