Advise on 2nd hand buy

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Morallis

Joined
15 Nov 2011
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Location
Durban
Hi,

I've found tank and equipment for sale, I've asked for more details on it but the following info I have:


4ft Marine Tank
2 compartment sump
2 x powerheads
Lid with 2 x blue and 2 x white lights and plug timer
Julbo Protein Skimmer
Water heater
Floating Thermometer / Specific Gravity Salinity
Canister Filter
Pump
Chemicals / supplements / pipes etc

As a 'starter kit' does this look good, how much would something like this go for?

Thanks
Dane
 
Welcome to MASA!
Hard to say if this is a good buy without actually seeing the tank. Price will depend on what equipment it is and what condition its in.
Four foot tank is a decent starter tank. What size sump is it? Not sure what a Julbo skimmer is, do you perhaps mean Jebo?
 
Hi,

Thanks for the welcome :)

The details I've given are what were available ot me, I'm hoping to view the equipment this evening and see from there.

They're asking R2500 for the equipment.
 
it sounds good, but a pic will confirm
 
aweh, u can make a McGuyver n use the canister filter as a reactor. :)
on paper the deal looks good, but a picture says a thousand words..

Goodluck and Welcome..
 
Morallis said:
Lid with 2 x blue and 2 x white lights and plug timer
Click to expand...

Hey, when you view the tank ask whether the lights are T5s or T8s. T5s are the ones you want :thumbup:.

We started with a second hand system which was already running. The advantage was that we just moved the tank along with the existing water to our place and were able to skip the 'cycle period' which will happen when starting a system from new.
 
i would skip this one, you are buying alot of stuff that you wont use or would need to upgrade. Rather be patient and find something on masa`s for sale section.
 
Hi and welcome.

I bought mine 2nd hand and have replaced a number of items. But if you get exact name of equipment, ie if the pumps are Good well known name brands you could have found a bargain.

To date I have replaced light unit as I did not want Metal halides, also replaced flow pumps as I wanted more flow.

Still a difficult one, take pics and post and we can better advise.
 
Morallis said:
Hi,

I've found tank and equipment for sale, I've asked for more details on it but the following info I have:


4ft Marine Tank what mm glass and is it currently full or has it been standing?
2 compartment sump sounds a little small but is dependant on what you want to achieve
2 x powerheads brand?
Lid with 2 x blue and 2 x white lights and plug timer the lights are probably due for changing so not really worth much
Julbo Protein Skimmer pretty as a door stop not much of a skimmer
Water heater what make? and age.. if old this could malfunction causing problems
Floating Thermometer / Specific Gravity Salinity not a bad item to have
Canister Filter can be converted to be a carbon/phos filter
Pump make? wattage?
Chemicals / supplements / pipes etc chemistry shold be bought as you need it and if this is open it is more than likley expired.

As a 'starter kit' does this look good, how much would something like this go for?

Thanks
Dane
Click to expand...


See my comments above in blue..

ask yourself a question.. what will this system cost to get it to make it the way you want it to look.. if the cost is too great it may be worth going new from the start.. but that being said you do need a starting point to be able to realise your limitations and how to overcome them...

also browse the forsale forums on here and have a look at the systems and equipment offered for the price..some may seem high but when you do an inventory of the equipment at new prices you can save thousands ..and the members here generally only use good - excellent equipment..

thats my 2c
 
Thanks for all the advise :) at least I've got some questions to ask now and details to confirm.

Hoping to go there this afternoon, just waiting for a call to confirm.
 
http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=46535Hi All

I wasn't able to go around yesterday evening but i was sent two pics this morning, not very much to gain from them though.

I've uploaded the two images.

Tank dimensions: 122x45x45cm
Sump dimensions: 50x35x40cm

Trying to arrange a visit for this afternoon ~_~ .. but if anyone can pull anyhting of worth from the picture please let me know.

Thanks again :)

56674eccaaf5e9647.jpg


56674eccaaf612ccd.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thats a very awkward looking sump. That skimmer isnt going to do much on that size tank. Cant really see the quipment in the pic.
From the pic, the tank/cabinet looks good. When you do go and look at the tank, make sure you look carefully for scrathces in the glass.
Check for water damage on the cabinet. Some are made from chipboard and deterioraes when wet. If you lok at the left hinge on the tank lid, it looks slightly swollen. Might just be the pic causing that, but the wood does look swollen.
 
I would actually just wait and skip this one. You will replace most of the equipment. Check the for sale section and something good will come by. Dont rush and buy as later on it will just cost you more money. You can actually get bigger tanks for this price here. Std 4ft tanks go for next to nothing here. Take your time, plan what you want then you will know what kind of equipment you need then run it by us.

If you buy this you will be sitting with a lot of unwanted junk that you cant sell and and find your self with a couple thousand less as you will have to buy decent equipment. Rather take your time and do things right the first time
 
Going to agree with Tremayn, make sure you buy the correct items first time around.
 
Dont waste money on other peoples failed attempts..... buy only what you know will serve you well.

Offer him 500 for the tank alone and have a stand and sump made up and buy a decent skimmer.

I burnt my fingers this way and will rather save and do it right or wait for the right bargain to find me.
 
Eish.. so many options to take into account :p

I'm eager to get something but at the same time understand that buying right at the start would be a better plan.

Will see if i can view the tank and hardware and do some Durban style bargaining and make one'all deal otherwise I will keep saving and keep looking.

Updates to follow :)
 
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