Tanks On Craigslist

[Mostlydave]

I'm relatively new to fish keeping and I'd like to upgrade my from my 10 gallon and 5 gallon to something bigger! I've found 2 aquariums on Craigslist one is listed as 55 gallon with walnut stand, it's just the aquarium, stand and a hood with I believe regular light bulbs and heater, for $100

I also found another aquarium listed as 50 gallon, but I think it might actually be a 55, it includes aquarium, stand and penn plax cascade 700 as well as a hood with a 48 inch florescent bulb, for $175. this second tank was used for a turtle. This aquarium also includes a heat lamp, that I'll just put on Craigslist for $25 since I'm not going to need it.

After some research I'm thinking the 175 tank is the better bargain because of the canister filter and florescent hood. what do you guys think? it seems like it would cost more than $75 to upgrade the cheaper aquarium to the better hood and filter. Anyone with experience with that filter have any thoughts?

 

[onidrase]

I'm gonna agree with the 175 dollar one, assuming everything works.

Things you need to pay attention to with buying used tanks are possibility of leaks, glass thickness, broken parts, and the center brace with larger tanks. The center brace is the plastic bar on the top middle of the tank that helps support the glass more so it doesn't bend and break. If it's so much as cracked or damaged looking, don't buy it.

 

[Mostlydave]

Thanks for the tips, I think I'm going to go with the $175 Aquarium, Will I have any problems with the filter since it was used with turtles? Should I replace the filter media? it doesn't look like the replacement cartridges are that much. The picture of everything makes it look really clean, is there anything I need to do besides rinse everything with tap water before setting up?

 

[Binge]

Thanks for the tips, I think I'm going to go with the $175 Aquarium, Will I have any problems with the filter since it was used with turtles? Should I replace the filter media? it doesn't look like the replacement cartridges are that much. The picture of everything makes it look really clean, is there anything I need to do besides rinse everything with tap water before setting up?

First thing you will want to do is fill the tank with water in your garage and let it sit a few days to test the seals. I have two 55 gals off of craigs list and both are great tanks. I did wash the heck outta them with viniger (rinsed like crazy afetrwards of course) before using them. Mine both came with filters/lights/stand all equipment is still working just fine 8 months later

 

[creeker]

Or you could just reseal it to be on the safe side. It's really easy to do.

 

[Mostlydave]

I'll be sure to do a test run to check the tank is not leaking. I don't think this is coming with any gravel so I'm going to have to get some. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to pick up reasonably priced gravel. The local pet store (petco) has ridiculously high prices for everything, even more then there own website. I've seen some suggestions to use pea gravel from a landscaping place, I was hoping to find some at lowes or home depot. I definately don't want to pay a dollar a pound for 100 ponds of gravel!

 

[Binge]

I'll be sure to do a test run to check the tank is not leaking. I don't think this is coming with any gravel so I'm going to have to get some. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to pick up reasonably priced gravel. The local pet store (petco) has ridiculously high prices for everything, even more then there own website. I've seen some suggestions to use pea gravel from a landscaping place, I was hoping to find some at lowes or home depot. I definately don't want to pay a dollar a pound for 100 ponds of gravel!

Unfortunately you missed super cheap gravel time all the dept stores (walmart meyers ect) put it on clearence in august so do most hardware stores. Not sure about uber cheap this late in the year.

 

[Mikaila31]

You can use pea gravel if you like the look of it. Also there are many types of play sand meant for sandboxes that are fine for fish tanks and are like $10 for #50. I've also used sand that I just shoveled off the ground and washed.