Should I Buy This Tank?

[constantine03]

Hi all. I'm somewhat new to fish. I have a smaller aquarium that hangs on the wall right now. Here it is:

I REALLY want to upgrade, but I've been having a hard time finding THE tank in the right price range. Today I found a listing for a used 59 gallon (estimate on the size, I'm sure) tank that comes with a pine stand, filter, heater, and other such stuffs (seller doesn't know the specifics since it wasn't actually his own). The gentleman is selling it b/c it was his cousins and he passed. He said that it is tall, and when he had to deal with it there were kissing guarami's the size of his hand living in it. He said that he drained it so he knows there are no leaks. It does not have a light. The problem is that he doesn't have a photo of it (or means to TAKE the photo), which makes me worry about what I'd actually be getting and I'll have to drive three hours to pick it up. However, at the same time, he said he really wants it out of his so he would give me the whole set up for $75--which is AMAZING since I'm in college and have to make my money stretch. In some ways, I think I couldn't go wrong. I couldn't even buy a 29 gallon tank at Wal-mart for that much...but I'm on the fence because I have this ideal tank in mind that I want. I don't know! Would you get it?

 

[nanoreef11]

I would definitely wait for a picture before deciding on buying the 59 gallon or not. Thats a far drive for something that might not be what you hoped for. I have noticed in the past that the more pictures they give you the better.

 

[constantine03]

I would definitely wait for a picture before deciding on buying the 59 gallon or not. Thats a far drive for something that might not be what you hoped for. I have noticed in the past that the more pictures they give you the better.

Yeah...I just don't think I'll ever find this size for that price. There has to be something good going with what was in the tank if it supported those guoramis for 12 or 13 years. Surely ever if I hate the stand, I can buy a new stand/canopy for it and not loose money with the tank and stuffs included for $75. In a 4-cylinder pick-up, it'll probably only cost me $30 in gas there and back...

 

[crazyaussie]

Nope i would not buy that 3 hours is a bit long way to drive if u have not seen a photo of it so i wud not risk it and how do u know it doesint have cracks u cant just go by his word

MAKE SURE U GET PHOTOS BEOFORE U BUY IT

 

[constantine03]

You know...the more I'm thinking about it, the more I agree. The tank could be ancient and completely disappointing. I just need to find something bigger soon that I can afford!

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, I agree that if you have such a nice stylish oval tank on your wall, you might find the "pine stand" very, very ugly. On the other hand, if you are thinking of taking on a 50-60Gal. aquarium you must be really serious and like the hobby a lot! Personally I would consider the lack of a light an advantage because you could consider a really nice light for plants. Also, sometimes older aquariums (the aquarium itself) are really more beautiful than modern ones (IMO) as (assuming no cracks/leaks) they sometimes have more solid or exotic looking frames (unless they are the usual silver metal or black plastic in which case they often look -worse- with age!)

One thing to try is another nudge to this fellow to send pictures (perhaps you could suggest to him that a young person or neighbor would like to exercise their new digital camera!) I mean, it would be so great to get a huge aquarium like that for $75 if that's what you wanted. Speaking of money, have you considered how much it will cost to equip such a big tank? Also, it's a lot to move if you are in college and at a transient stage of life.

Good luck!

 

[constantine03]

Although I'm in school, I'm not really hurting for the cash...I just like to watch where I spend it. I know that keeping the fish costs quite a bit, and that's the main reason I'm looking so hard for a used tank- so I don't splurge too much there. I'm in the military, contracted with ROTC, and have a part time job- so I have the income to create a very nice tank- I just want to make sure I don't go TOO overboard! Also, I'm in my final semester of school, but I'm going to start grad school and stay where I'm at, so I should be here at least another few years...beyond that, I've fully furnished my apartment, so a move would be tricky for me anyhow! Thank you for the concern though! I appreciate the willingness of everyone on this forum to help out.

Oh, and I will ask the seller again (beg him) for pictures before I make a decision.

 

[dzsigmond217]

I'm a little suspicious as to why he wont send pics. Could mean that there is something wrong with it.
But then again..when I was in college I would have grabbed a friend and made an adventure of it. Take the trip, hang with friends, make a day of it. Have fun! If you don't like the tank..don't buy it. You might be missing out on a great deal! It's really totally up to you..I love to travel and see new places and the such, so I would do it. But you might not like the idea. Sooooo..all in all you really need to make the decision. Good Luck!

 

[ridewake210]

So what have you decided yet?


lol do i need to go with to check out this tank?
because if u dont want it.

i do!

 

[constantine03]

So what have you decided yet?


lol do i need to go with to check out this tank?
because if u dont want it.

i do!

Hah...I called him and told him I would take it today. I was a little iffy because of the picture situation. It wasn't that he WOULDN'T send pictures, but that he couldn't. The aquarium is being stored at his mothers house, which is an hour from where he lives. He had initially listed it with pictures, and someone contacted him and told him that he wanted it. They set up a time and everything and the guy never showed. He had since deleted the pictures. He tried to pull up the sent message to forward it to me, but couldn't get it to work that way.

He went on to tell me that the tank wasn't as old as the guorami's in it were. He said that they had been in a 200 gallon tank for a really long time. Then that one began to leak, so his cousin bought some others, including this one. He said he thinks it's 6-8 years old. He also said it had been set up as a marine tank at one time, and that he was giving me everything "aquarium" that he had with it...to include what he's describing as either a sump pump or an undergravel filter system (said there was a pump and two hoses underneath the stand for the aquarium). SO- I decided I couldn't really go wrong for $75. I'm going to get it this next weekend (not this one...but the next).

My only question I have for now is this: the stand is a light pine, and the tank is lined in a faux wood grain to match. I would really like it to all be black. Can I paint the stand and the tank or will that cause problems with the tank? What kind of paint can I use?

 

[billy0510]

hey there

I'm glad your really looking into getting a bigger tank, you wont regret it. as for painting the frame?? I'm sure you can i don't see why u couldn't paint the frame, i would try to use a spray paint (no brush marks)on the frame after taping up everything u don't want painted. I would defiantly not paint anything close to going to wards the inside of the tank for obvious reasons. The stand on the other hand if stained will probably have to be lightly sanded, washed, primed and painted.

You might be surprised i didn't think i would like my wood grain on my aquarium but now i enjoy it more then my black frames.

It does sound a little to good to be true so i would maybe ask to send pictures somehow?? But for that price its worth the drive.

Good luck

 

[ridewake210]

So what have you decided yet?


lol do i need to go with to check out this tank?
because if u dont want it.

i do!

Hah...I called him and told him I would take it today. I was a little iffy because of the picture situation. It wasn't that he WOULDN'T send pictures, but that he couldn't. The aquarium is being stored at his mothers house, which is an hour from where he lives. He had initially listed it with pictures, and someone contacted him and told him that he wanted it. They set up a time and everything and the guy never showed. He had since deleted the pictures. He tried to pull up the sent message to forward it to me, but couldn't get it to work that way.

He went on to tell me that the tank wasn't as old as the guorami's in it were. He said that they had been in a 200 gallon tank for a really long time. Then that one began to leak, so his cousin bought some others, including this one. He said he thinks it's 6-8 years old. He also said it had been set up as a marine tank at one time, and that he was giving me everything "aquarium" that he had with it...to include what he's describing as either a sump pump or an undergravel filter system (said there was a pump and two hoses underneath the stand for the aquarium). SO- I decided I couldn't really go wrong for $75. I'm going to get it this next weekend (not this one...but the next).

My only question I have for now is this: the stand is a light pine, and the tank is lined in a faux wood grain to match. I would really like it to all be black. Can I paint the stand and the tank or will that cause problems with the tank? What kind of paint can I use?

Well thats cool!


well, if you need any help with anything, just let me know.
im close by, and am free mostly all the time.
i work nights so its really no problem at all.
and i wouldnt mind helping out anyways.

 

[constantine03]

Thanks! I'll let you know!

 

[ridewake210]

Alright cool

should really try to get some pictures out of the guy though.
or maybe i could talk to him or something.

im not sure. its up to you.
Just trying to help you out here

 

[bordercollie05]

Hi, I was just reading your thread and realized you're in Urbana! Me too! Are you at UIUC? I can't wait to see your huge tank