New Or Second Hand

[Serious Dan]

Hi all please forgive me if this question has been asked before, this is my first post and I am not that familiar with the forum yet.

First of all I have very little experience as yet in the world of tropical fish keeping and would like to set up a basic tank to keep the usual platys tetras etc for the enjoyment of my family and my self.

Is it better to buy a bigger and better specified tank second hand(and take a chance) or a brand new tank (with the confidence of every thing being ok and clean) which would be smaller and not as good value.

I could afford a second hand Juwel Trigon or a Juwel record 700 brand new. These were both recommended by a local retailer but I would love to hear if any body has other,better or different ideas.

Thank you in advance to anybody who gives advise

Dan

 

[Jamepsss]

Hi all please forgive me if this question has been asked before, this is my first post and I am not that familiar with the forum yet.

First of all I have very little experience as yet in the world of tropical fish keeping and would like to set up a basic tank to keep the usual platys tetras etc for the enjoyment of my family and my self.

Is it better to buy a bigger and better specified tank second hand(and take a chance) or a brand new tank (with the confidence of every thing being ok and clean) which would be smaller and not as good value.

I could afford a second hand Juwel Trigon or a Juwel record 700 brand new. These were both recommended by a local retailer but I would love to hear if any body has other,better or different ideas.

Thank you in advance to anybody who gives advise

Dan

Both my tanks were second hand and would have cost a hell of a lot more if I'd bought them brand new. I suppose it is a bit of a risk but both of mine turned out great. The first one I viewed when it was still full of water so there were no issues there. The second one had lots of clear pictures on the listing and I could tell even from them that it had hardly been used.

 

[electropunk06]

hi
i have one new bought tanks and one secondhand one.
advantages of new tank: perfect condition, clean, everything works.
disadvantages: 60L cost £100, needed cycling, seems to get more algea (than my second hand one) came with specific equipmet which wasnt the best.
advantages of second hand tank. cheap £20 for a 90L, already had cycled filter, came with a few other thing (net, decorations backgroung ect.)
disadvantages: got a few scratches, needed cleaning, not all equipment that came t=with it worked.

i think i would buy a new tank next but just my opinion.
hope this helps
Lloyd

 

[KittyKat]

I have bought both and never had a problem. Second hand tanks are very good value as they can go for well less then 1/2 price and still be under 1 year old.

 

[Ashley1991]

i have 3 tanks the 2 that are second hand absolutly amazing! the one i bought new has had 2 seperate leaks! lol!

i go second all the time now much cheaper = much bigger tank muahahhahaah

ash

 

[Serious Dan]

Thanks for the replies and just another couple of questions

When a seller lists a tank with scratches on it is this just a cosmetic issue or is more to it than just that?

Do you have to worry about how clean the tank is or am I worrying about nothing?

Are there any other pitfalls about second hand tanks ( Im not to worried about non working filters etc just any thing that could render them useless)

Once again thanks

Dan

 

[electropunk06]

scratches are mainly cosmetic i think so shouldnt do any harm.
as long as your willing to clean the tank your self its not a problem.
on a secondhand tank the seals could be ruined so would need replacing but its not to big a job (there are a few usefull guides on this forum).
Lloyd

 

[gunman]

Personaly, I wouldn't entertain the idea of a new tank. Price of a new tank is way more than second hand, but it doesnt stop there. You'll be looking at sand\gravel, some plants, rocks\ornaments. The price can double from the tank price on smaller tanks (the price of new large tanks will most likely put you off anyway).

example, I bought a fishbox 48l second hand for £50, I could have bought it new for £75, however, the tank came with gravel, ornaments, small plants, an air stone and air pump (which is now running in my main tank). Add this to the price of the new tank and I would say you'd add at least another £50.

That being said, I did just buy a new tank , but it was a bare 4ft tank and it replaced my existing 3 ft tank. I used an existing unit and built my own hood. All the bits from the 3ft were re-used (except the filter, which I wanted to replace anyway).

 

[KittyKat]

Here's another real life example of an AquaOne 980:
* New £400 + sand £5 + fish £50 + plants £30 (eventually + external filter £200)
* Seocond hand (6 months old) £100 inc fish, decor, external filter and delivery, then sold some stuff -fish £60 -filter £35 -decor £20

..so to take the tank, I was basically paid £15.

 

[festo]

Here's another real life example of an AquaOne 980:
* New £400 + sand £5 + fish £50 + plants £30 (eventually + external filter £200)
* Seocond hand (6 months old) £100 inc fish, decor, external filter and delivery, then sold some stuff -fish £60 -filter £35 -decor £20

..so to take the tank, I was basically paid £15.

Strange,
on a previouse post you stated
that its not possible to run an external
together with the trickle filter that comes
with the 850 and 980 as the trickle filter is in the way!

 

[KittyKat]

Here's another real life example of an AquaOne 980:
* New £400 + sand £5 + fish £50 + plants £30 (eventually + external filter £200)
* Seocond hand (6 months old) £100 inc fish, decor, external filter and delivery, then sold some stuff -fish £60 -filter £35 -decor £20

..so to take the tank, I was basically paid £15.

Strange,
on a previouse post you stated
that its not possible to run an external
together with the trickle filter that comes
with the 850 and 980 as the trickle filter is in the way!

Yes, that is correct. So, what is strange? As I said (probably in the same post), I chose to run only the external and not the trickle. Without major modification only one of the two can easily be fitted.

 

[Serious Dan]

Thanks to every one fo their advise.

I think it has helped me make my mind up and start looking at Ebay and the like. If any body is selling something like a 180 litre tank please let me know.

Once again thanks

Dan

 

[Timmy_Bee]

i might be selling my Juwel Rio 180 (if i can find a 240 on ebay!)

I would agree with 2nd hand all the way. I guess the only issue is that you need to wait for someone local to be selling one (they don't quite fit throught your letterbox!)

 

[Serious Dan]

Sounds about what Im after how much and where are you?

 

[moochy13]

i recently got a tank out of my attic to set up. it had only - in my experience - been used to house a snake, it was at least second hand when i got it for that purpose. i stuck it in the garden and filled it with water to a precise level and left it for a few weeks to see if it leaked. it didnt, so now its got fish in it. worth doing if you're not totally confident in your second hand tank and havnt seen it with water in.