Buying Tanks From Craigslist!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
This is going to be unpopular but it's the truth.
- It's your responsibility to check the tank and make sure it doesn't leak before you fill it

- The second you drove off with that tank it was your fault it leaked...why? there's always a risk in buying used stuff, you can damage old silicone seals easily...especially when they're dry.

So how do you and everyone elseavoid this in the future?

"I'd like to buy your tank. please fill it with water so we can confirm the seals are tight." simple. Would you buy a used car without test driving it? would you buy a used TV without turning it on?

Don't blame the guy for not calling you back...the tank is your problem not his.
 
rucus;3074247; said:
Bummer man. At least you didn't lose any fish
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thanks bro!! that was the whole point here, what if i did have my fish in there,if he would of told me i would of got it anyway,$100 for a 125gl. is sweet! i had to clean all the floors and the water went under my other tanks....trust me lesson learned!
 
When you get a deal like that, if you don't have any problems, it's a bonus chip. Scored a free 20 long off of Craigslist yesterday myself. I'm going to carve out the old silicone and reseal it myself for a bichir grow out tank. Total cost to me, one tube of silicone and some time doing something I enjoy, furthering my hobby.
I'm an old fart, I test stuff first, even new.
 
I sold my 90 and 65 that had been setup continuously for over 15 years on kijiji.

but what I did was I left them with water in them so when the buyer came by, he could see for himself that there was no leaks.

I agree - buying used alway has risks.

i only buy new for this reason, but even then, as mentioned, new tanks can leak. but the chances are probably lower.

aquariums setup for a long time are quite stable.

but as soon as you take that stable setup and drain it, all of a sudden all the pressure changes on the seals, the silicone can dry etc.

thats why the risk of leaks goes up on used stuff.

but you save money, so...it can be worth it to buy and then reseal..

sorry about your tank.
 
Maybe the seller thought the leak was repaired. Apparently the leak was slow enough that the OP didn't notice it when he was filling the tank.

Maybe the seller wasn't trying to screw you over..

In any event, sorry that happened to you.
 
Imma post before I read this thread

?1 DID YOU ASK IF IT LEAKED?

?2 Did you lose any fish if not MEH all ya lost was some water ya still got a good deal on a big tank

That is the thing with used tanks takes some work sometimes but well worth it in the end with money saved
 
fishman61;3089255; said:
I was thinking of buying this used tank, but now, I have second doubts.
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This is like getting a chicken head in a McDonald's chicken nugget. Freak occurrence. On Craigslist since I got married about two years ago, I've gotten a 150g ($200), a 46g corner ($150), a 55g ($80), an 18g tall eclipse ($20), a 75g saltwater ($200), a 90g tall ($135), a 20g long for mice with turtle docks for mudskippers someday :naughty: ($20), a gigantic 3' HOB sump/protein skimmer/filter/water pump, and an iMac, a Macbook, a few appliances, a tv, a huge corner desk, two road bikes, a brand new king sized bed, and two pomeranians-- I've never paid more than 1/2 of what any of these things would cost to buy new, and with most things, the price I pay is closer to 1/4.

I haven't had any problems with anything!

I've also sold a car, a guitar, a road bike, a couple of tanks-- 55g, 90g, 18g soon, all my small fish when my wife and I decided to move to larger fish (which financed 2 Mbus, 4 thinbar dats, a fire eel, an arowana, and a few bichirs), and a whole bunch of random things from around the house. The net cost to us for tanks/everything else we've purchased on Craigslist sans the computers has been ZERO. Just find unbelievable deals and when you're done, sell stuff for what it's worth.
 
^Bingo. Wait patiently with cash in hand, and stalk the free section just in case, picked up my 20 long quarantine/growout tank that way.
 
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