anybody have any horror stories

[Torrean]

I saw a 75 gallon set up with stand for about 80 bucks on e bay and I am thinking about getting it for my rainbow sharks. does anyone have any horror stories to discourage me. Or any tips to make sure I don't get screwed?

 

[ccg]

Well I don't have any horry stories, but I bought both my 35 and 55 gallons second hand and have never had any problems with either of them.

Although I bought them locally so I could see them before I purchased them, but I still trusted that they had no leaks or similar problems.

Good luck, hope you get a good deal.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Im not sure about horror storys, but i would definatly fill it up with water and no fish before you properly set it up just to make sure it hasn't got any leaky bits/cracks.
Good luck on the new tank though

 

[Torrean]

i think i'll ask her to send me a pic of it filled with water to make sure it doesn't leak. Wel i don't guess i'd be able to tell from a picture would I. Darn it. Any other Ideas?

 

[abstract]

and make sure you clean, clean, clean it!!! i think people usually recommend using a very diluted vinegar solution (some even say bleach - i donno)

EDIT: sorry, i cant really think of a surefire way to make sure that it is not leaking beforehand....the best way to judge character by far on ebay is obviously by their rating/customer comments....anyone with a decent rating would hate to receive negative feedback for an issue they KNEW would arise...best of luck

 

[purple_drazi]

I don't know how much experience you have on eBay but your first line of defense when buying anything on eBay is taking a look at your seller's feedback.

If she's been on eBay longer than say, 6 mths and has decent feedback (no negatives, and more than 100) she's probably a reliable seller. Take a look at the comments she has left for others as well. Sometimes the feedback the person leaves is just as important as the feedback they get.

My experience is that anything less than 6 mths or less than 100 positive feedback and it's too easy for the seller to give you a bad deal, take the negative feedback you'll give them and start over with a new selling i.d. It's not a red light to buying from them but you'll want to be careful. Any seller with less than those criteria is a seller without a lot of experience and it can be a painful learning curve. For both sides!

Ask lots of questions BEFORE you bid. Make sure that she has answered all of your questions you understand exactly what you're buying (and how you'll get the item!) before bidding.

hth

 

[abstract]

and just to add onto the above...make sure you document all of her replies - save those emails and set them aside somewhere they can never be deleted just in case something comes up

 

[purple_drazi]

seconded, what abstract said.

 

[Erised]

Out of the 8 tanks in this house, 7 are second or third hand
I've had no problems with any of them, so I think you're pretty safe As long as you can see it filled up, and dont see many scratched, I'd say they're just as fine as a new one will be.

 

[Grey Legion]

If you get the chance to see it filled great, if not fill it up outside or in the garage and let it sit over night...better safe then sorry..I have two 2nd hand tanks and all is well but things happen...you should be fine if you take your time and don't rush it. Also check the tank for any chips or scratches this may be a good sign that the tank has been moved around alot and thus putting alot of strain on the silicone joints...

best of luck if you get it....ENJOY !!!

 

[Dwarfs]

2 out of my 12 tanks were bought new, the others are either from garage sales ar left in my basement

 

[eratosthenes]

Just remember to follow one rule. No matter how good the seal looks, scrape it clean and apply new silicone anyway. I had a 45 gallon that I only cleaned the side seals and left the ones in the bottom alone, as I thought they were fine. Three months later, I'm having to break down an otherwise happy Malawi tank because it started leaking profusely out the bottom. That was a good definition of the opposite of 'fun'.

 

[Tolak]

Half of my tanks are used. Inspect the seals, if there is any doubt, reseal. Make sure to clean it real good before adding fish, no telling if the previous owner had any disease problems. I fill mine & let them sit with just water for at least a few days in a safe spot in case they start to leak.

Tolak

 

[Torrean]

how hard is it to reseal a tank. Can I rely on my handy work to prevent it from leaking? Do oyu just scrape off the old silicone and put on new smoothing it with a putty knife or the like. Any tip or tricks to doing this?

 

[smb7676]

I saw a 75 gallon set up with stand for about 80 bucks on e bay

So could you throw up a link so we can take a look ? )

Just kidding I wouldn't try to take it out from under you. Good luck and happy Bidding.

I agree with everyone CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. My mom gave me a tank and didn't tell me she last used it for the hamster. it had a weird coating on the inside and even after I cleaned it there was still a bit of sawdust particles. The filter took care of it but still, I was a bit annoyed.