Advice needed on secondhand tank for sale

I have been offered a tank for sale. I do not particularly want to buy a tank right now, but also do not want to let a good opportunity go by.

Dimensions: 1200x700x45 Glass 10ml all around with 20ml bottom. (two 10ml laminated)
Cabinet included with lid.
370lt

It is a very heavy, high, tank. I calculate the glass at 120kg and with water about 500kg.
Tank has minimal watermarks and in good condition. (will be able to remove easily) Cabinet underneath has supports put in by owner, as he wants to make sure it can carry the weight.(see pic) That is one of my concerns. I will want to remove these supports, but I am not sure about the weight. Any comments on that?

Then, the lid in the one corner is slightly moulded. I will have to address that and seal the entire inside.

Sliding glass shelfs included, to close the top and keep moisture in.

The tank, at 700mm high, is also a concern. Difficult to reach inside to the bottom. Am I looking for a stick to give myself a hiding? (Lat vir my gat pluk)

What would this tank be ideal for?

What would be a price that you can not refuse?

I would really appreciate your advice. Pics in next post.

 

Tom I have a tank almost similat to this one, if you cant reach the bottom easily when standing next the tank its a nightmare to work with. Also if you go planted the lights would need to be pretty strong to reach the bottom.

With that thick base and the extra support (which I would not remove) it could make for a very very interesting malawi rock setup. You can pile it pretty high and then you do not need to worry about plants anyway.

I would also seal the top after a good sanding. Not sure about price but would only get it if it was a real bargain. Was it a marine tank?

Tall tanks also make great setups for discus and angels.

Gerhard

 

No, I learned my lesson with that! Salt water marks is not the easiest thing to remove.

Thanks for the input.

That is what I am thingking, but do not know what that would be?



What about cutting the front glass lower and make one of these? Is brackish and archer fish difficult?

 

Yes it could make a very beautifull paludarium even if you do not cut the glass. This will however make working in it a lot easier.

Cant really help on the price, I suck at that.

 

Thats the word I was looking for!

I suck at price too. (arm gat!)

Anycase, I like your malawi and rock setup more, as it sounds very easy to maintain. (lui gat!)

 

the width would put me off.

 

That is bothering me all the time. It did not seem that narrow. I will have to go re-check.

 

OK, I got a price of R2100. Is it a bargain?

 

So whats included with the tank

 

...and that makes the surface area very small in compasisson to liters and limit the tipe of fish you can keep in it.

 

I have a 800 deep tank.......not easy to do anything down that deep.

 

Let me echo what johan said:

Because at R2100... I would hope it includes a minimum of 2 heaters, lights (all working), interal filters as well as a decent sizes external canister or a set up sump (which I doubt based on the design of the cabinet.

You need to bare in mind that the second hand market is pretty much non-existant in our hobby. (As with most hobbies I think). Personally, if the tank only includes what is in the pictures you posted... I would push the guy to knock R800 to R1000 off his price. Remember you going to have to purchase proper lights, (because of depth), decent heaters, and filters.

 

Shihr is selling a very similar tank... His INCLUDES all the extras, including heaters and filter... for only R900.00! I can't justify an additional R1200 just for an additional foot of tank space, and then still buy all the extra's. My opinion.

 

Shihr 160lt vs 380lt. More than dble Shihr's tank. 10ml glass around, 20ml bottom. Shihr's 5 or 7ml?

I think minimal is included. Saw a power head filter. But I have those things plenty of. My point is, it is a decent tank and cabinet. He initially wanted R3500 and I got him down toR2100. Actually the deal is R4100 for this plus a new garden table and six chairs with cushions, those that game sell for R5000 a set. So I break it down to R2000 plus R2100. The table and chairs + cushions will still be a bargain at R3000, as I was going to buy at Game at some stage anyway. So then the tank is R1100. I break it down like I do, because he wanted R2500 for the garden set and R3500 for the tank. R6000 down to R4100. I can not, not take it now. hehe, sounds like I am trying to convince my wife. In a way I am! Need you guys approval to add weight to the argument.

 

my 1.2m is very similar to the one you looking at and i got it for 1000. it included 2 ballasts for the tank, gravel and the oak lid, no cabnet but i think 2100 is abit much for a second hand tank with no add ons. see if he still has the heaters ect and if he'll part with them, especially if he's getting rid of the tank cos he's exiting the hobby. its a nice looking tank though, probably in better nick than mine was.

 

A rule of thumb for me - secondhand tank needs to be cheaper than just buying the glass or I would think twice. In most cases the rest is either not what you want or stuff you are going to need to replace in the near future.

Later Ferdie

 

There you go Ferdie. So what is the price of 10ml glass?

2 x 120x45
2 x 70x120
2 x 70x42.8
3.3592 sq meter

 

http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/showthread.php?t=16148

Not sure what the increases would have been ..

 

If I can add my penny's worth, my big tank, like Go-Big is also 800mm high and the cabinet on which it stands is around 600mm high, so all in all to the top of the tank is around 1400mm tall. I have to use a step ladder to work inside the tank.

What I find nice about a deep tank, especially if you stock it with active fish like malawi's, you can build more impressive structures from rock to driftwood which will be utilized by the fish.

Myself being a keen spearfisherman, I sometimes put my diving mask on and work in the tank and it looks total amazing, but again thats just me enjoying myself with my fish. Personally I would keep it as it. And don't remove the supports or the base will bow in the middle which could result in your tank base cracking.

I've just priced glass for my new tank and on 12mm it is around R700.00 per square. 10mm wouldnt be much less than that.