What to look for in a used tank

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Walzon1

Walzon1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 7, 2016
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Hey guys new here. Going for my first setup over 100 gallons usually buy new but looking to buy used have a few questions. Besides the usually cracks, silicone work anything that you would be able to see in a photo that would cause you not to buy ex. Bracing, location of drill holes, lines or wrinkles in acrylic etc...

When I realized top fin made aquariums kind of want to stay away from them but how would I know buying used who made it?
 
Top fin is the petsmart store brand made for them by other companies. Look at the plastic lid handles and many times they were made by Marineland. I bought a Top Fin 120 and it was made by Marineland and the frame cracked. Because it was covered by the warranty I was able to return to Petsmart for a full refund. So I essentially rented the tank for free for two years! I actually liked that tank a lot. It had a 5' x 18" footprint and black silicone seems. Of course read the fine print... Might have to use their stand.
 
If you go to look at a used tank tell them you want to see it full holding water and not a picture. Look for scratches in the glass. They can be buffed out but maybe you don't have the tools or the time to fix them. Totally kills the mood when you put a bunch of hard work and time into a tank and when you stand back to admire your work there is a giant scratch across the viewing panel. Never owned an acrylic tank myself but I'm sure someone will chime in. Good luck!
 
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marineland, top fin whatever they change the name to, these are the tanks Im trying to avoid used to think marineland was decent but lately their tanks look pitiful. Are there any RED flags to avoid these tanks. I know marineland uses black silicone other than that is there any way to tell.
 
every tank i have had I bought used, last tank was a 95g, 20 bucks, reseal was 15 bucks in material, and about 8 hours of work, except for bad scratches and any cracks in frame or brace, there some great deals if willing to put a little work into them,.
 
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