Tank Setups • Best deals on Large Aquariums

[GnuLoCo]

Hello!

I was hoping someone with experience could point me to the best places to buy aquariums. I have a couple 50/gal pumps and have numerous other tanks. I am looking for my first large tank. 75gl - 120gl preferably.


Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

[rgr4475]

New tanks, you are limited to what is near your home because obviously it isn't practical to ship. Used, craigslist is the best option. Always people who bought tanks and get tired of it. If you are patient, you can really score some great deals from people just looking to get rid of what they have.

[sandandrocks]

Used, craigslist is the best option. Always people who bought tanks and get tired of it. If you are patient, you can really score some great deals from people just looking to get rid of what they have.

+1

This is the way to go. BUT you must be very very very patient (of course this depends where you live, some large cities like Chicago has more to offer than a smaller city).

When buying a fish tank on craigslist here are some questions i always ask before going to look at it.

- Ask for a photo if it doesn't already have one
- Does the tank hold water
- Are there any serious defects on the tank (scratch, chip, silicon coming off)
- Does it come with a stand, if so, is the stand factory made or custom build
- Are there braces on the tank (older models don't have any. But newer ones do, and the brace is very important in holding your tank together)
- When was the last time they used the tank (very important because this will determine if the tank holds water. They will probably say something like "yeah it did perfectly last time i used it" which might have been 2-5 years ago). Silicon will age and mold will grow on the tank if it's not in constant use

I've bought many tanks off craigslist and these are some of the things i've found to be very useful as i've been screwed more than once simply because i didn't know what questions to ask.

Best of luck and have fun in the process.

[gliebig]

I bought my 240 from glasscages. They deliver to a pickup point and you meet them there. I know they have some mixed reviews, but I am very happy with mine. Can't beat their prices.

[dankid]

I picked up my 75 gallon a few months ago off of CL. I highly recommend that you take a flashlight with you to check for scratches just in case the room where the person has the tank is not well lit. When I bought my tank the seller had the tank setup on his porch and it was dark outside. I checked the tank thoroughly but did not see any scratches until I took it home and filled it with water.

[triscuit]

We discourage the discussion of retailers in the forum... that's why there's the Reviews section.

[GnuLoCo]

Thanks for the replies! I will try CL to start.

[noddy]

Hello!

I was hoping someone with experience could point me to the best places to buy aquariums. I have a couple 50/gal pumps and have numerous other tanks. I am looking for my first large tank. 75gl - 120gl preferably.


Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

Which Continent are you on.

[noddy]

Just wanted to add, try to buy local, and preferably one with a good reputation for customer service..

[fmueller]

We discourage the discussion of retailers in the forum... that's why there's the Reviews section.

+1