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Used/new aquarium pricing advice

Started by KLKelly, November 28, 2007, 02:42:48 PM

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KLKelly

I have three tanks that I'm thinking about selling.  I don't now what to ask and would post on sites others mentioned also.
I have never bought a used tank myself.  I hope its okay to ask for help and feedback here.

1.  I think is a 50G long.  Measurements on the black plastic: 48.25Lx20.25Hx13W, glass is 1/4".  The silicone looks good.  The silicone at the top corners - goes out about a 1/2" along each side along the plastic rim isn't attached well to the tank but the silicone up and down looks good.  The person my sister bought it from had it set up with fish and water in it.    She paid $100 or $125 for it on usedottawa.  We have never filled it up. 

2.  A new Hagen 56G with black silicone. 36.25Lx20.25Hx18.25W.  I really wanted to set this up as a loach tank but I've almost completely given up on the idea.  Never had water in it or taken out of the box. 

3.  A used 20G I bought from Petsmart last year.  Its currently a pond snail sanctuary right now.  It has the fake wood trim. 24Lx16.75Hx12.5W.  I think a 20G is a 20G though so maybe 30$ is reasonable or high?

I'd appreciate any suggestions/feedback you guys have.  Thank you.

Karrie

darkdep

A very general starting point for used tanks is $1 per gallon and you adjust from there.  Unfilled tanks make the value go up; unusual dimensions often make the value go up, etc.

Based on your descriptions, #1, because YOU bought it used, I would suggest $50 or so.  Since you can't guarantee it's age or history...

#2 since this is brand new unused, take the price you paid and adjust it down a bit.

#3 $30 is a reasonable price here for sure.

KLKelly


renadia

Is 1/4 " enough for a fish tank?

I think that is what busdriver had and it broke.
Maybe it's for reptiles, I would check at a pet store before selling it for fish.

Just a suggestion  ;)

Diane

darkdep

Good thinking redadia.  I went and looked it up; if it is indeed the dimensions you state, (4 feet long, 20" high) 1/4" glass is not recommended.  It may hold water yes, but there is very little safety factor on that.

Brine

Just out of curiosity how does brand new compare in price. I tried to find prices online but was not able to. I know Big Al's sells bare tanks but I don't know what the price might be. Anyone have a breakdown list from them or any other LFS?

KLKelly

My 90 gallon from big al's is 1/4" - should I be worried?

You know what - I'm going back to remeasure - I might have messed up.

KLKelly

Ok - its 6/16th of an inch so its .375 of an inch. Its the exact same as my 90 gallon.  I have no clue what standard measurements are  ???

Brine


darkdep

3/8ths is night and day over 1/4 inch, believe it or not.

KLKelly

 :-[  Thanks guys.  Thanks Renadia for pointing that out.  My ad would have said 1/4".

renadia

Yey it's a fish tank  ;D  and no worries for your 90 gal tank!

Diane

KLKelly

I never paid attention to the glass itself but I just looked at the 50/55long in the basement with a flashlight (a really big/bright one  :)). I could have waited until tomorrow but I was trying to think of a price on this tonight. It is all scratched up  >:(.  Not deep scratches but looked like someone cleaned with an abrasive material.  I don't know if these would be hidden with water.  I don't want to try - it would be a pain to drain.

I was hoping to sell this tank and the 20g as I want to rescue two goldfish from big als and I wanted to break even a filter so I can get the 56 gallon up and running when they are out of QT.

I'd love some more advice.

Would this tank be useful to anyone such as reptile keepers?  If so I'll put it up on used ottawa.

Thanks.

Karrie

Brine

I don't know if scratches would be any more acceptable to Lizard/Snake people than to Fish keepers. I would decide how much I want for it and post it everywhere with the note that it has scratches. Someone may need a sump or a tank that is not a display tank or if they are like me they want a bigger tank and have a limited budget. We'll accept scratches to get a less expensive tank. Also if you were using a big bright flashlight the scratches may not be as bad as all that in regular light.

NetCop

Yeah, there are poor schmucks like me on a very limited budget who'll need to upgrade thier tank to a larger one soon.

HEY! Who ya callin' a schmuck!?   :-\

KLKelly

It can just stay in the basement too until a good cause comes along.

NetCop

My Oscar is a good cause, n'est pas?  ;)

KLKelly

Ummm, maybe to an oscar fan.  I don't think being a goldfish advocate that it would be  ;)