Undecided

[snakeblitz33]

I have a 20g nano that didn't go the way that I had hoped. I know my mistakes now... but hindsight is 20/20. I also have a 110g tall tank that I have the potential to set up within the next month and I have a 240g aquarium undrilled that needs to be re-sealed. Here is my dilemma...
I am back in college. Time is very thin for me right now. Between studying, homework, class time, being a husband, being a father and (starting soon) a full time job - I am going to be pressed for time to do anything. Another key factor is money. Since I am in college, I will be using more gas going everywhere and all of the expenses of being a college student that comes with it.
I just bought this 240g for $50. Do you guys and gals think it's worth the time to reseal, drill and install overflows and re-sell it? I would ask around $1200. Or, do you think I should resell it for $100 as a leaky tank and double my money?
The 110g that I have had for awhile that I have the potential to set up in a new larger apartment in the next month or two would be beautiful - and I could put a lot more in it than my 20g that I have now. The problem is - when it comes to big tanks - there is big expenses. And I am sure you all are aware of this... lighting, light replacements, food, electricity, increased initial skimmer cost, etc. etc. etc. etc. Which, right now I think I need to back off of my tank expenses and concentrate my money on something smaller instead of setting up a big tank and not being able to buy the livestock I want for it. So, should I sell my 110g and my 240g and really think about my big tank setup for awhile until I get the job I am aiming for by going to college?
The 20g that I have is pretty small as well - and while I already have the equipment and lights to run it, I'm just not satisfied with the size and the stocking ability. While I know that a 20g tank can really look awesome, it's just too small for what I want to do. I am thinking about setting it up as a little planted tank for my daughters room.
So, that pretty much leaves me tankless for my reefkeeping hobby. I have a 20g long sump that I am using for the 20g, but it needs to be re-designed badly if I am going to keep it as a sump.
55g tanks are really narrow... 40g breeder tanks are wider but only 36" long. I really don't want to pay for a 75g unless it's used and reef ready. A 90g is just a little taller than a 75g and a hundred dollars more. I just don't know.

 

[smallreef]

Id wait it out till you find a 75g RR tank on CL or something else...
Id reseal the larger tank and sell it for what you can get for it (I think $1200 is a bit much but if someone is willing to pay that in your area go for it!)
Id also think about selling the 110g tall...
My biggest question is are your landlords going to let you set up a large tank?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Usually the landlords in our area are only concerned with aquariums if they are are on the second or third floor. Most of the landlords that I have talked to around here don't even consider fish, pets.
The last 240g reef ready tank I sold was for $1200 in my local area.
I am seriously considering selling the 110g as well. I was thinking $1/g? Basically thinking about putting it towards the cost of a smaller tank.

 

[smallreef]

That sounds like a plan to me
so you gonna still do Taxidermy on the side during the busy season then... and where ya gonna be working??? and your still gonna do the other business on the side to still right?
with the baby and school and a job,, whew.. your gonna have FUN! A few restless nights but in a few years you will be so happy!

 

[flower]

You have too much on your plate, I say don't do a thing for right now and sleep on it for a week. The solution will come to you.
I don't think you can get $1200.00 for the big tank resealed. Used tanks, even resealed, just are not worth it to try and sell.You would be lucky to get $400.00 for it.... Personally...I would hold on to that puppy and just wait until I was ready to reseal and use it for myself. Whats the rush as long as you have the room to store it?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/392713/undecided#post_3488978
That sounds like a plan to me
so you gonna still do Taxidermy on the side during the busy season then... and where ya gonna be working??? and your still gonna do the other business on the side to still right?
with the baby and school and a job,, whew.. your gonna have FUN! A few restless nights but in a few years you will be so happy!
I'm going to be a full time college student for the next two to two and a half years. I am still going to do taxidermy work when I am not at school. I am still building and re-finishing aquarium furniture - and in fact, that side business is now paying more than taxidermy ever did. So, we will just have to see. We got my daughter into a nice sleep routine - and she eats well and goes to sleep at about 7:30. So, that allows me time to be a husband and do school work before a 10pm bedtime. My wife is a teacher so it's easy to wake up early in the mornings. I know that by the end of all of this, I will be much, much happier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392713/undecided#post_3488979
You have too much on your plate, I say don't do a thing for right now and sleep on it for a week. The solution will come to you.
I don't think you can get $1200.00 for the big tank resealed. Used tanks, even resealed, just are not worth it to try and sell.You would be lucky to get $400.00 for it.... Personally...I would hold on to that puppy and just wait until I was ready to reseal and use it for myself. Whats the rush as long as you have the room to store it?
I might not be able to get 1200 for a reseal job, and that is why I am concerned. If I could sell it for $100 I could double my money and not have to pay $1440 in storage fees until I set it up.
The 110g that I have would be an absolutely beautiful tank, I know. It was given to me and while I am extremely grateful for that, I don't think I will be able to keep up with the maintenance and afford the time and money spent on keeping it in good working order. So, do you think $1/g is a fair deal for the 110g tall?

 

[snakeblitz33]

I just think that it is going to be too much trouble to keep up with the 110g tank throughout the rest of my college career. And the 240g getting set up is out of the question at the moment and I think it would be better to just go ahead and sell it. I believe the 240g tank might have a very small teeny tiny leak in it - do you all think that $150 is asking too much for it? I'm sure someone with some large reptiles would love the tank...

 

[sweatervest13]

I'd just keep the 20g going. The others seem to be to much with all you got going right now. Sell the other tanks and save the money for running the 20g.
I would try to get a bit more then $1.00/gallon for the 110g. I would list it for $200-$250 and be willing to take $150 -$110. If you can get $150.00 for the 240g that is a good price.
I would really love to see what that little 20g could be like. I know you had some lofty expectations with it when you first set it up. Now that it has been established for a bit you might have better luck with the SPS's in there. You already have all the equipment for the most part... So why not just try to keep with it and blow that baby out.
That is my $.02 worth of advice. HTH's

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392713/undecided#post_3488989
I'd just keep the 20g going. The others seem to be to much with all you got going right now. Sell the other tanks and save the money for running the 20g.
I would try to get a bit more then $1.00/gallon for the 110g. I would list it for $200-$250 and be willing to take $150 -$110. If you can get $150.00 for the 240g that is a good price.
I would really love to see what that little 20g could be like. I know you had some lofty expectations with it when you first set it up. Now that it has been established for a bit you might have better luck with the SPS's in there. You already have all the equipment for the most part... So why not just try to keep with it and blow that baby out.
That is my $.02 worth of advice. HTH's
I want the 20g for a little freshwater planted tank for my daughter. Got to get her addicted somehow.
I want something a little bit bigger than a 20g because I hate that I am so limited on the livestock. I would love to have a tang or two, but that's absolutely not possible with my current tank.
I do have high expectations for my tanks. I had to take on some extra fish that I didn't want into my 20g and my tank has suffered because of it. I'm hoping that I can give them back to a live fish store for a little credit.
I think you're about right on the prices for the 110g and 240g. I would like to get about $200 for the 110g but I listed it as that a while back and never got a reply. So, I guess I will try again.
I think a 75g is about right for what I want to do. Though, even a 30g tank would be better for my goals... I would absolutely love to have a lemonpeel angel. I might not be able to have a yellow tang in a 30g tank, but I could have a flash of yellow in some kind of "reef safe" angel.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392713/undecided#post_3488993
I want the 20g for a little freshwater planted tank for my daughter. Got to get her addicted somehow.
I want something a little bit bigger than a 20g because I hate that I am so limited on the livestock. I would love to have a tang or two, but that's absolutely not possible with my current tank.
I do have high expectations for my tanks. I had to take on some extra fish that I didn't want into my 20g and my tank has suffered because of it. I'm hoping that I can give them back to a live fish store for a little credit.
I think you're about right on the prices for the 110g and 240g. I would like to get about $200 for the 110g but I listed it as that a while back and never got a reply. So, I guess I will try again.
I think a 75g is about right for what I want to do. Though, even a 30g tank would be better for my goals... I would absolutely love to have a lemonpeel angel. I might not be able to have a yellow tang in a 30g tank, but I could have a flash of yellow in some kind of "reef safe" angel.
How far are you from the Illinois/Wisconsin border? I have two 30g longs you can have.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Thanks for the offer, flower, but $300 in gas would kill me to pick up two free tanks. Thanks again.
The issue isnt the initial cost of the new tank but the maintenance and monthly operating costs. Plus, living in an apartment still merits small tanks.

 

[justcindym]

With all that going on... consider selling the tanks for what your market area supports and put the money away for a rainy day. baby, college, rent, car... too many variables to worry about the cost of a large reef tank. what does your partner think is really the only opinion that counts.

 

[returnedreefer]

I say sell the tanks, fix your daughter up, get through college, and live vicariously through all of us... Helping all of us poor lost souls should be enough to feed your addiction... Then who knows, you might run across something for a great price that would be worth starting back up..

 

[sweat90lx]

Time is money and money is time. I have been there, make your daughter and family your first priority. Do not miss a moment of your daughters life because you can not get that back. They grow up very fast. Mine just turned 6 and it seems like yesterday she was born.
My daughter just started first grade and my wife told her if she makes all As she can get her own tank. I hope she meant the first semester. My daughter is like me and likes to learn. I can get another tank! I mean she can get a tank.
Keep a tank that will make you happy. Money cant buy you happiness. I know you are young and it is hard to grasp that old saying but I can remember those days and they are great memories.