Need Advice Quickly..

[squidneh]

Please and thank you :3
 
Browsing craigslist and found a post for a fluval 405 with  new impeller for $75.  Provided it does run properly is it worth it? I'm thinking I can haggle it down a little, and any issues I may have with it would still be cheaper to repair than buying it new at retail.  
 
I've never had a canister filter, it's not really in my budget, but I can swing for this one if it is a sound investment.  I have a 75 gallon tank, which currently runs with one internal filter and one HOB. Each are inadequate for the size of the tank unless running together.
 
I want to get in contact with this person quickly before it sells, because I don't see fish related adds often.
 
Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!!
 
EDIT:
Texted the seller, asking what condition it's in. Here is the response
 
"It needs a couple parts, one is the door that holds the propeller in and the other is a rod for the propeller. Oh and the intake down spout is missing but other than that its in good shape but won't prime."
 
Totally clueless, most of that goes over my head. Off to google I go.

 

[Wills]

Personally I wouldnt, parts can be quite expensive for the filters and it could start to add up. Also having taken apart fluval filters, messing around with the mechanical parts are not that easy.
 
I would look on ebay as I would expect you to be able to find similar sized externals for that kind of price though.
 
Wills

 

[malfunction]

Hi, I have two of these on my 4' tank. They're good filters when they work, but are incredibly frustrating when something goes wrong. Personally, I would be reluctant to buy one second hand unless I could see it working first. This is primarily because of the number of online posts people have made about them leaking.

If you do decide to buy it, the parts that are missing (i.e. impeller cover, impeller rod and intake hose) are relatively easy to source. But by the time you add up the cost of the parts, it might be a better option to pay a little more for a fully functional unit. Here are what the parts look like

Impeller rod: http/www.amazon.com/Fluval-Ceramic-Assembly-Impellers-Straight/dp/B00025YW9I
Impeller cover: http/www.amazon.com/Fluval-404-3-Impeller-Straight-Blades/dp/B000256E2Q
Hose: http/www.amazon.com/Ribbed-Tubing-305-Fluval-Filters/dp/B000256908

 

[squidneh]

Thanks Wills and Malfunction. Your input was just what I needed.
I did a quick search on ebay and I did find some externals in my price range. I think I will pass on the fluval - or just hope to find a sparkly new one under the christmas tree