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Would you rather buy a reef tank or set one up yourself?


ajmckay

Build or Buy?  

52 members have voted

  1. 1. Would you rather buy a tank someone is selling or build one yourself?

    • Buy a tank someone else is selling
      1
    • Build my own system
      51


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So this has always confused me... Occasionally I hop on to craigslist or my local reef selling forum to check out if there's anything cool.

 

I'm surprised that at any given time I can find multiple people selling entire systems for like $1,000 - $6,000 and they refuse to part out.

 

Do people really want to buy whole systems already set up? I personally don't find any excitement in buying someones 3 yr old 55g with a bunch of kenya trees and GSP for $1,000... The only exception I can think of is if someone is actually selling a nice (probably small) system for a steal. Like the price reflects the cost of a few of the corals, and the tank and the fish are essentially free.

 

Vote.

 

Here's literally the first one in my search for "aquarium". Happens to be a perfect example.

 

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righttirefire

I really enjoyed building my system and I'm already planning out my 40 breeder build.

 

I also picked up Aviator's IM Nuvo 8, like you mentioned it was a steal. But I also chose to upgrade it, inTank media basket, MJ900, SpinStream, Nanobox Tide, even free isn't always free.

 

Either way you have your challenges, the livestock I got with the nuvo made it all worth it for me. Being the tank came from Texas it came with a lot of livestock we don't see out here in Oregon at a reasonable price. "Break-down", transporation, and set-up of an 8 is a little different than a large system.

 

I don't believe I'd buy a system, too many unknowns and risks.

 

This is also an experiment for me AIO vs Sumped, Cube vs Long. 8 gal vs 20/20 system husbandry demands

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I think if we saw people selling tanks like our TOTM ones... people would be more apt to buying tanks. However, if your tank is beautiful and running well, then you don't really find the urge to sell it. Meanwhile, failing tanks end up on craigslist and don't get generally sell unless they are dirt cheap.

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Rather build a tank, and usually have stuff stored to go into a new build. With that said rarely had a whole system sold because most have stuff laying around or extra equipment. I got into the hobby in the late 90s and have tried to sale a entire setup a couple times but no one ever went for the whole setup. Plus I always fig that any one wanting 100% would risk killing livestock on the move.

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I prefer new equipment for my builds even though there can be some good deals online for used equipment. I also have a hard time trusting strangers with used equipment, you never know how well they kept their gadgets. However, even though I haven't been here long, there are already many people I would trust with used equipment. Buying off a forum such as this, from a well know user is always better than a craigslist buy, imho.

 

I do like searching for things online just to see whats out there though. I only bought one 75gall tank off craigslist and they failed to mention a small chip on the corner despite me asking (couldn't see it in there crappy pics). Bought the tank and had it as a freshwater for a little under six months before I got bored and moved to saltwater.

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Unless you happen to be buying from a fellow reefer on this site who lives close to you. I just noticed AJMCKAY lives reasonably close by from the craigslist screenshot. :)

 

I prefer new equipment for my builds even though there can be some good deals online for used equipment. I also have a hard time trusting strangers with used equipment, you never know how well they kept their gadgets. However, even though I haven't been here long, there are already many people I would trust with used equipment. Buying off a forum such as this, from a well know user is always better than a craigslist buy, imho.

 

I do like searching for things online just to see whats out there though. I only bought one 75gall tank off craigslist and they failed to mention a small chip on the corner despite me asking (couldn't see it in there crappy pics). Bought the tank and had it as a freshwater for a little under six months before I got bored and moved to saltwater.

And yes I agree if someone is selling a beautiful small system for a steal, I would probably buy it. But it'll still take away the excitement of building one yourself. If it's a steal you can always break it down, transfer the livestock, and start anew.

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I prefer new equipment for my builds even though there can be some good deals online for used equipment. I also have a hard time trusting strangers with used equipment, you never know how well they kept their gadgets. However, even though I haven't been here long, there are already many people I would trust with used equipment. Buying off a forum such as this, from a well know user is always better than a craigslist buy, imho.

 

I do like searching for things online just to see whats out there though. I only bought one 75gall tank off craigslist and they failed to mention a small chip on the corner despite me asking (couldn't see it in there crappy pics). Bought the tank and had it as a freshwater for a little under six months before I got bored and moved to saltwater.

 

I never buy from craigslist, the idea is good but I just feel like people are crooks :P I don't know why. I buy tons of things on nano-reef though and have not been disappointed, everyone has been honest about any defects or wear and tear, usually providing pictures. Makes sense I guess.... nano-reef is a community and not an ebay.

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righttirefire

I've bought used items here and shipped to people on N-R, this is an amazing community and I wouldn't hesitate to deal with "seasoned" members or even active newer member

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There is a guy on my local forum that seems to addicted to setting up new tanks. He stocks them with great corals nice equipment and sells the entire set up like 3 to 6 months later. His sale price is always well under what that set up would cost.

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Sounds like a good reason to buy used sancho!

when he sells there are people waiting. It's a running joke every time he sets up a tank there are bets made on how long he will keep it.
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Haha I'm glad that you all think the same way I do.... For pretty much the same reasons listed I would much rather build my own tank than buy one. There are just soooo many variations on things in this hobby that no 2 peoples tastes are the same.

 

 

Unless you happen to be buying from a fellow reefer on this site who lives close to you. I just noticed AJMCKAY lives reasonably close by from the craigslist screenshot. :)


And yes I agree if someone is selling a beautiful small system for a steal, I would probably buy it. But it'll still take away the excitement of building one yourself. If it's a steal you can always break it down, transfer the livestock, and start anew.

I'm in Sterling Heights, near Detroit. Haha hopefully that tank isn't yours! That would be funny - definitely not nano though so I figured I was safe posting it. Also I don't mean anything against people who want to sell their systems complete, the point was more to find out how people want to buy stuff... On my local reef forum some of the threads where detailed information on the livestock is given there could be 5 posts to the effect of "I'll take your XX and YY if you decide to part out". Like they could have half the thing sold in just a few days. Ultimately I think people either hold out and don't sell if they can't get the price they want or in the case of someone moving or whatever it seems like they have to keep dropping the price until they're forced to give someone a phenomenal deal.

 

I myself am looking for a flame angelfish - I specifically want one that's been in someones tank for 3-6 months or longer though. I actually found one a month or so ago but the guy refused to sell it alone - you had to buy his sailfin tang at the same time! Who buys a flame angel and a sailfin tang at the same time?!? Ultimately he said he sold them but I'm guessing he basically gave them away because he didn't seem like he wanted to make $$.

 

There is a guy on my local forum that seems to addicted to setting up new tanks. He stocks them with great corals nice equipment and sells the entire set up like 3 to 6 months later. His sale price is always well under what that set up would cost.

That's hilarious... And sounds $$. I normally try to base new tanks on the old one. Like I still have my original live rock - it may even be in my tank soon.

 

I'm glad everyone has had good experiences here on N-R with buying and selling. There's the occasional burn but the majority of transactions seem to go smoothly. The key is buy from someone you know is an active member of the community I suppose.

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I usually skip over the posts when they say they're selling a 55G or whatever system. A lot of times they're pretty badly neglected and even if it's a pretty decent deal it's just so much work to transport and fix everything. I suppose I can always QT the livestock, tear the tank down, either dry out get new live rock, and start all over but that's just way too much work. Plus I don't have a truck or the manpower to carry a big tank.

 

Funny about not separating the angel and the tang. Are they in love or something LOL.

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Mine must be plug and play.

 

Interesting, is it more because of time, or is it because you just like to get things in a complete package?

 

I only ask because moving a system, especially a larger one, takes quite a bit of time - probably an entire day in most cases including tear down, set up, re-acclimation, re-scaping, etc...

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righttirefire

Cause I am not a DIY kind of girl. I don't know anything about anything so rather have it ready to go.

But your rather buy someone else's system? As opposed to buying a new AIO system, and adding your own livestock?

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Just bought a AIO. But If I ever want to upgrade not bigger but better so I can have something other then soft corals I well have to buy a used tank set up and ready to go.

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I don't know jack about DIY but I try and do it anyways. This hobby has taught me so much. I now know how to do basic plumbing, drilling glass, and resealing tanks. I'm currently working out how to replace t5 ballasts and then I will try my hand at a some DIY LED. I feel really accomplished since my expertise is more about shoe shopping.... :happy:

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I enjoy setting up the tank myself, choosing the equipment that best suits my needs. I would love to dabble in building my own stank, etc, but I am just not sure that will happen as I don't think I have the skills to make it as "perfect" as I envision in my head.

It is interesting how people won't part out their set-ups, I'm not sure I get that theory, as I would think most of us enjoy the set-up and progression of building a new system.

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I think it's hard for a seller to get a good price for a reef. Those of us who already keep reefs are usually only interested when the seller begins to part out their livestock and equipment. How many people are looking for purchase an established reef at a given time.....not a whole lot of people. Generally they are listed for weeks and the price begins to drop considerably. Much easier for an uninterested reefer to sell it all at once than have 20 people come purchase equipment.

 

I purchased my AIO nano/pico reef establised in great shape, upgraded lights, pump, complete with pest free LR and plenty of coral colonies. I waited a few weeks, offered a lower price and it worked out for me. I paid 25% of what I was going to pay to setup a similar AIO from scratch. I didn't have to wait for a cycle, go through algae blooms and it came with with some established coral colonies. There are pros and cons to brand new and established. I think you just need to do some risk management and outweight positive and negatives to each.

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