Is this a good yard sale deal?

[culp]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2882696
well, from the bowfront owners i've talked to, some say they the bowed pane is hard to take close up pictures through, it's hard to keep the glass clean (you'll have to get your arm in there with some sort of abrasive material and not a blade, and aquascaping them is a real challenge, since the outer edges of the tank are quite narrow.
look into a peninsula if you want a room divider. it will be very nice looking and not all "ghetto" as RM mentioned.
check out this 150 gallon peninsula-

i will have to agree with Mr_X if you want the tank to be the centerpiece of your room you should look into finding a tank like the tank in the picture

 

[oceansidefish]

that does not really sound like a killer deal to me. I think you could be patient and do just as well by putting a system together yourself. I would look for a used tank and stand that is already drilled it will save you so much hassle. Then use a 55 as a sump and keep looking for the rest.

 

[sueandherzoo]

I know you're chomping at the bit wanting to buy this set-up but since you asked for opinions I'm going to add mine. I'm by no means an expert on any of this stuff but I just went through a similar experience of buying used off of CL so I can relate to where you are. My guesstimate is that this is an "ok" deal, but certainly not a killer deal. It looks pretty in the photo and it sounds like it has everything you need, but I think you'll find that you will still need to spend additional monies to get this up and running the way you want. You really don't know the condition of any of the equipment or "extras" and you may not agree with all the product choices the original owner made so you will still be doing some replacing even though it may seem "ready to go". If there were a lot of live rock in the package I would say the price is justified on the rock alone, but it doesn't even LOOK that live (sorry - a newbie observation).
If you have time and patience to wait for another deal I'm sure you'll find a better one, but if you don't want to wait I think you might do just as well negotiating with the manager at an LFS for a NEW system. I don't know about your area but there are some killer deals in my area right now on new stands, tanks, canopies, and accessories - they must be trying to clear out for year-end. I'm shocked at how low the prices have gotten - I think the economy is killing their business and they need to move stuff.
That being said, if you really have your heart set on the one in the ad, buy it, but be prepared that you will still have to spend money outside of the $1000 and do some modifications. But it's your money and your hobby, so do what feels right for you.
Good luck!

 

[spiderwoman]

Not that good of a deal IMO. You can get complete reef ready deals on Craigslist for less than that.

 

[robertmathern]

+1 there is a 150 rr tank in my area for 500 has sump and everything exept mh lights it has tek2 retro t5 for lights witch is a good light fixture.

 

[nwdyr]

Hmmm I have to move out by you guys! In the Chicago area you can't get a "Complete" reef for under 1,000.00 unless its a 25gal. Personally I like the look of the bow front

Everyone keeps talking about what if the eq. is not in good shape. Well that is the risk you run in anything used right? i think you should go look at it real hard just like you would a used car. If you are happy with the Eq. function , I say buy it. Like I said , here that would be a fair price. You are not "stealing" it but I don't think your getting robbed either

either way good luck and keep us posted!

 

[king_neptune]

I gave it a lot of thought, and all things considered: Ill pass.
Its been up on CL for weeks and if it was a killer deal it would have sold.
Enough of you are on the fence on this and Ill take that as don't do it. Ill better spend the 1000 and carefully spend on my 55/55 reef setup.
I can spend that money on brand new equipment that is on sale from local stores who want to push their product. And as for a stand I can make one from wood laying around my dad's shop's. Im sure we can come up with something nice and a nice finish.
I think In the end Ill be happier since Ill be doing it myself, my way.
Thanks for the input.

 

[rotarymagic]

55s are skinny tanks and run into the same issues as a bowfront except the problem runs the full length of the tank in a 55..
get you either a 75,90, or 120 (4x2x2.) No offense, but theres not really much "centerpiece" quality to a standard skinny plastic trim 55..
sell one 55 and use the other as a sump I guess.. look harder on craigslist, I'm sure you can find something like a 120 or better (150, 180, etc) for cheap. I was gonna buy a brick RR 200G off craigslist awhile back for $250... but I didn't have any room at the time to put it so I had to pass.

 

[robertmathern]

Originally Posted by Rotarymagic
http:///forum/post/2884573
55s are skinny tanks and run into the same issues as a bowfront except the problem runs the full length of the tank in a 55..
get you either a 75,90, or 120 (4x2x2.) No offense, but theres not really much "centerpiece" quality to a standard skinny plastic trim 55..
sell one 55 and use the other as a sump I guess.. look harder on craigslist, I'm sure you can find something like a 120 or better (150, 180, etc) for cheap. I was gonna buy a brick RR 200G off craigslist awhile back for $250... but I didn't have any room at the time to put it so I had to pass.
+1 I agree I have a 55 and I love it. But I do wish a would have gone bigger. But then I think we all do. 125 seems like the perfect size tank for a living room. And if you build the stand you will save alot of money but keep in mind these tank weigh alot. Figure a gallon wieghs about 8 lbs plus the rock and sand and canopy if you make one

 

[mr_x]

each time you jump up in size, don't forget your equipment has to increase in capability too, and that means more $$$.
while you might be able to get away with the same lighting for a 55 or a 120, you won't be able to use the same skimmer. live rock will double, substrate... some things to consider.
a 55 can look awesome. it all depends what you put into it.
i'd rather have a 210 than a 120...but...you gotta end somewhere.

 

[robertmathern]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2884604
each time you jump up in size, don't forget your equipment has to increase in capability too, and that means more $$$.
while you might be able to get away with the same lighting for a 55 or a 120, you won't be able to use the same skimmer. live rock will double, substrate... some things to consider.
a 55 can look awesome. it all depends what you put into it.
i'd rather have a 210 than a 120...but...you gotta end somewhere.
I hear that I am sticking with the 55 I got. Looks good now the diatoms are going away. And intill I see the need to upgrade I am good with what I have.

 

[king_neptune]

Ya I'm not going past the 55. The only concession was the above mentioned system since it was already complete.

 

[spiderwoman]

I'd recommend that you reconsider the size. Standard AGA 55 is only 13 inches wide and that is not much. That was our first tank. 75 and I believe 90 are both 18 inches wide and it's a big difference.

 

[vince-1961]

On CL, in the middle of nowhere, southeast Georgia, for $500 last summer, I got a 200g (72" length, 24" width, 30" depth) reef ready tank with 65 g sump, a very basic (and ugly) stand, sand, rock, fish, inappropriately small protein skimmer, a 1200 gph Iwaki pump with american motor, 300 watt heater, and an extra 120 gph submersible pump, and as much of the water in the tank as I could carry.

 

[king_neptune]

If i find a good deal on a tank...but there is no chance ill buy a brand new one. I only got this one because it was $120 for the pair. and that's something I couldn't pass up. Ill get narrow rocks that are tall but not too wide. I'm sure ill be able to have a nice first tank.