Is it a bad idea to get a used aquarium?

Question

I saw one for sale that they said they only used for a few months. Is it a bad idea to buy used? My boyfriend wants a tank, but I don't want to spend too much money on it right now. But we argue about if a used one would cost more in the long run if it kills the fish.

Any input?

So many good answers - I'll put it to the vote!

THANKS!!!

Answer 1

I would say its a very bad idea, specially if the tank has leaked in the past, you wont know it, and if the previous owner has sealed the leak with some good sealant, it would not even leak until a few days or weeks have passed..

It would be a potentially dangerous situation if the tank water bursts out at the middle of the night or when you are away..

I am not saying this "shall" happen, but why take chances of buying a 2nd hand tank...I guess you rather wait a little more to get a new one.

Answer 2

Make sure the used aquarium does NOT leak...
As far as sanitation of the aquarium, set it up outside (in a safe place) and fill it with regular water (include all of the ornaments or any of the other used items that came with the aquarium) and add 2 cups of BLEACH (Clorox or any brand will do).
Let it run as if you had fish in the aquarium over night.
Drain, rinse several times and then let it air dry upside down. The used aquarium is now quite sterile..
When you set it up for fish, add about twice the amount of chlorine remover and add fish the following day (not too many to start or you will get the new tank syndrome where the fish poo creates ammonia).
Enjoy.

Answer 3

Buying a used tank is definately a great way to save money, but could also be a good way to spend money in the long run.

I agree with most of the answers on here with the whole get as much information as you can from the previous owners about the tank as possible. Sometimes, it could have been from something wrong, and some times it was something plain and simple.
I bought a 55 gallon from a guy once, and the tank was practically in mint condition. When I questioned him about the condition of the tank, and why someone whould sell a 55 gallon tank WITH LIGHT AND HOOD for just $90, he simply told me that he had originally bought it for his fiancee's iguanna that had unfortunately died. He said it was from dehydration, but that she didnt want any more pets after the death of her iguanna, and neither of them had time for a fish aquarium, so he sold the tank.

If you plan on using the tank for fish, check the inside silicone seals. Make sure that the silicone is all still intact, and not torn or punctured or anything, as this could cause leakage in the tank.

The fact that the previous owners had used it for whatever animals they had has nothing to do with how the tank will react with you wanting to use it as a fish tank, unless they used it as a fish tank, and it comes with filters and everything.

I would definately go for the tank..purchase it and whatever comes with it, but I would probably go with buying new filters. Used filters generally cause problems, and you never really know how often they were really cleaned, or what was previously sitting in them. Not to mencion, they could actually still be harboring a mass load of bacteria that could potentially destroy anything that you set up.

If the tank comes with any kind of decorations, or gravel or anything, i would definately wash them and even let them soak overnight. If its anything like driftwood, or even some type of rock, it could possibly have absorbed the water and bacteria and any chemical treatments, or whatnot from being in the previous tank setup. I'd be really careful with stuff like that. It tends to be porus.

So yes, just ask as much as you can about the tank. Buying a used tank is cool, but I don't really recomend buying used equiptment.

Answer 4

As long as the tank doesn't leak I say go for it.

No matter what was kept in it before after a good cleaning there won't be any problems for new fish.

I agree with the answer above that suggested bleaching the tank. This is a safe and easy way to make sure the tank is clean. Just make sure to use a declorinator.

Good Luck.
E.

Answer 5

Well, buying a used aquarium is a economical way of saving money. I bought a 55 gal aquarium through craigslist.org for $80 (it came with the light strip, filter, heater, 50' python water changer, etc). That is considered cheap.

There is a possibility that it might cost more in the long run. Usually it is the issue of resealing the tank. When buying a tank, look at the silicone to see whether it is brittle or has openings for water to leak. Also for all glass aquariums, looked for deep scratches (they will still show even under water. Usually people who sell their aquariums have no leaks unless they really tell you.

Answer 6

Using a used tank is no problem at all. The tank we have, in fact is used and we have not encountered any problems.

The key point as with any aquarium that is new to you, is that you need to season it properly before adding any fish to it. That means, filling it with gravel, and any accessories, and water, as well as the beginning stress coat and stress zyme to condition the water and promote the growth of good bacteria. You should allow the tank to season for at least a week before you add any fish to it. And remember, that the maximum amount of fish in any tank should be 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. It would also be helpful if you did water tests to track the good bacteria level in the tank before you add any fish to it. This process would be the same for a new tank or a used tank. It will also lessen the chances of killing any fish.

However, buying it used always runs the risk of it having cracks, so beware, but dont discount the advantages of getting a used tank.

Answer 7

A used one shouldn't cause too much trouble. Just make sure there aren't any severe cracks (you should be able to use sealant if the tank has minor cracks). And just wash it out really, really good with bleach and hot water to kill any possibly harmful bacteria or anything in the tank. Just be sure to wash out the bleach very good (keep washing until no more bleach smell). I don't think it should be a problem for you. I would recommend getting filters and heater new, so you can have warranties on them if anything goes wrong.

Just my opinion.

Answer 8

Getting a used aquarium is a great thing to do. They are a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Just make sure to clean it out real well before setting it up. Probably won't hurt to disinfect it with bleach. Make sure it is just plain chlorine bleach with nothing added to it. Then rinse it well with hot water and then let some water soak in the tank with a heavy overdose of dechlorinator, and you will be ready to go!

Answer 9

I agree here. I have found tanks of every size and shape put out for trash and have taken them home to use. When on a budget, go for used. Just be sure it isn't cracked and will hold water.

clean the tank well with either a salt and water solution, peroxide and clean rags. Rinse well. equipment as well. Just be sure it is cleaned.

There are many shops that when they up grade will sell off their used tanks. They also will resell used tanks for others. There is nothing wrong with it at all.

Answer 10

I have 20+ tanks and all but three of mine were bought used. Lots of the equipment, too.

Just be sure it holds water before you buy and clean it well with a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 19 water, let sit for 15 min, then rinse very well) to kill any bacterial or fungal spores.

Answer 11

Make sure that it holds water and if you are going the fresh water route, make sure the tank was NEVER used as a salt water tank. Even sterilizing it would not rid it of all the salt residue and could be very damaging to fresh water creatures.