buying second hand tank (hopefully)

[chishnfips]

Hello folks, I am looking at buying a second hand tank from a local newspaper ad, and was wondering what sort of questions I should ask when I go to view it.

It's a 4ft tank with stand and acccessories for only £25. I thought I was dreaming, like it was a spelling mistake, so I phoned them up, and it was right. They want to sell it because they bought it for their living room but it's too big.

i am going to view it tomorrow night and am unsure what to ask about.

any ideas? I hope it is fine cause I need to rehouse my bala shark and this should hopefully be a good size for it.

 

[Undawada]

I'd check to make sure it hasn't sat dry a long time. I heard this can damage the seal...

 

[debiasir]

if viewing tomorrow phone the guy now and see if he can fill it up then it will be easy to see any leaks before buying

 

[boxman]

I'd just make sure the seals look good, no cracks (expecially in the base).

Other than that you are very lucky!!!!!!

 

[Undawada]

For that price, I'd even consider resealing it if it had cracks in the silicone. (would make an interesting project, and could be done cheaply, if you have the time)

Make sure no cracks in the glass, too.

edit : here's the link DIY Seam Repair

 

[chishnfips]

Yeah the main thing is the seal I suppose. I take it that if the seals where needing repair, it is easy enough to fix.

Also if I got it would I just use boiling water to clean it out?

Oh I hope it's ok.

 

[Undawada]

Be careful with boiling water, the extreme temperature change can cause the glass to crack.

There are a few methods of sterilizing a tank.

1. Water and Salt (this will get rid of parasites or any nasties on the glass, and is safer than the other methods)

2. Water and Vinegar (this will clean more "gunk" than just water and salt, as well as kill nasties, but make sure to rinse very well.

3. Water and Bleach (this will definitely kill any nasties, make the tank sparkling clear, but you must rinse very, very well and possibly wipe with a rag soaked in dechlorinator to be safe.

4. Water and Ammonia (same as bleach, kills nasties, makes tank sparkling clean, rinse like your life depends on it)



A lot of people swear by one method or another, but these are the methods I've heard of.

 

[chishnfips]

spot on undawada.

cheers for that, Iam going to phone the guy tonight to make sure it's still there and ask him to fill it partially with water.

oh, like the avatar, I take it it's nessy. I stay 2 miles from loch ness.

 

[sammydee]

IMHO the best way of sterilising a tank is with superchlorinated water. If you have a swimming pool you can do it. Jus fill it up and leave it for two days or so, then drain the water. If you leave an airstone bubbling, all the chlorine will have evaporated by then.

Just make sure to remove all equipment like heaters, powerheads etc that could be damaged by the chlorine and leave it a week after removal of the water to let all the chlorine gas evaporate.

 

[Big Rob]

I agree with the vinegar and water suggestion. That's what I've always done, works like a charm.

 

[Undawada]

oh, like the avatar, I take it it's nessy. I stay 2 miles from loch ness.

Yes it's nessie. That's cool that you live near loch ness! I don't know if I believe in the monster or not, but I thought it would be a cool avatar fitting my name (Spelling variant of "Underwater")...

I think the loch ness monster would be the coolest thing you could possibly have in an aquarium

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

prob most people don't have swimming pools

 

[chishnfips]

IMHO the best way of sterilising a tank is with superchlorinated water. If you have a swimming pool you can do it. Jus fill it up and leave it for two days or so, then drain the water. If you leave an airstone bubbling, all the chlorine will have evaporated by then.

Just make sure to remove all equipment like heaters, powerheads etc that could be damaged by the chlorine and leave it a week after removal of the water to let all the chlorine gas evaporate.

Aye, could always ask the local swimming baths for a shot of their pool. lol

undawada it is probably a massive sturgeon a something. some fok reckon it's a crocodile that has been released into the water.

who knows

 

[GSD]

just check for any obvious cracks leaks or anything unusual!check the seal and equipment and see if everythiong works,.minor cracks or heater not working or somet small like that shouldnt matter really!as long as it can be fuixed cheaply

 

[chishnfips]

cheers folks for all the helpful info, will let you know how I got on on friday.