Tank Questions

[cowboy572]

Okay, it's the first of the year and I got the new tank itch. I am ready for something new and bigger but before I move forward I got some questions. The first is the new versus used tanks. I would like new but that will blow my budget but the sense of having some kind of warranty in the event of leaks is promising. I don't mind used, but I and I know of a few others that got wet from buying used. My current tank, 90 gallon, sprang a leak after the first year after I bought it used. When buying used what do you look for? How the tank was used and stored if it's was empty? Manufacture date? How many years after the date of manufacture should you get the tank resealed? Also is it "cool" to surf othe club websites for deals? I've never done it, so is it worth trying?

[350gt]

well being that I have had a good experience with used, i would do it again.....


with that said, theres nothing like owning a new scratch free tank..... SO I will be buying new next time around.... and passing on my current tank for a very low price..... not any time soon though..

[Bill S]

I've always owned used tanks. A few new, but mostly used. The 215 is now about 10 years old, and it's in near perfect condition.

You can look at a tank, and tell if the seams have been abused. I'm REAL careful about getting close to them with a blade. That being said, it's the surface to surface joint that is critical. If you want, you can always reseal a used tank.

One other note: Our 215 is a brick, with THICK glass. Way less likely to be a problem.

[reefreak]

Don't know how big you want to go but I know TT can get a dsa 105 rimless just tank for like $450?

[Big_Pun]

you really gotta look how the previous owner treated it, hopefully they have a build thread, or your the second owner. i was second owner of my tank, stand was in very good shape in and out, previous person only had tank up a year. all seams looked great, no scratches. just be picky and dont settle.

[cowboy572]

I'm picky as well when it comes to my tanks. I know this is a wide range but I'm look for a 180 to a 240 tank. Depending on time frame and budget I just might do another "show tank" and keep my 4ft footprint and just go tall and deep. That way I can use my current stand and then re-plumb for a different sump set up.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

If cost is not a factor get a NEW tank and stand with warranty. For sure the best way. No worries and no stress looking.
On another note, I dont have a lot of money. One of the most fun journeys is surfing all the sites for a tank deal.
You never know what your gonna get. I have resealed all of my used tanks. Well worth it, if you buy used. And it still doesnt mean it will be perfect like new.
At the same I have seen new and used tanks go down. What seems to be getting popular are the 3ft tanks from front to back.
Aces tank is like that and its neat to see the tangs swim front to back like its left to right. lol just saying
I just got an 8ft tank and I dont think Ill ever go back to a 6fter.
Pick your tank brick or not, rimless or not and go get it.
Glasscages.com can give a reference price on a new tank and stand. Its the same price if you bought used and resealed.
sorry bought the paragraph :bigsmile:

[Pennies2Cents]

We have bought used plenty but honestly after our purchase of a 240 and the center fell in resulting in near disaster--we sold it as it was sold all of our coral and fish with the exception of Bruce n Bella and
we bought a new 240 brick. No more worries here. Fyi the 40 solana is a used tank.

[Sherita]

All of my tanks were bought used. From the tiny 12g all the way up to the 210g three side starfire. I've had good luck, ymmv.

[CoryDude]

I would take the tank size into effect too. Anything longer than 4ft, taller than 18 inches, or deeper than 24 inches I would not buy used. And please, if you buy a new tank, get the factory made matching stand.

Nothing gets my goat more than seeing someone buying a nice tank and voiding the warranty with a DIY stand.

[Zen Reef]

I would def go new next go round. My used tank got me started but the time I invested into making it acceptable wasn't worth it in hindsight. +1 on the "don't settle" --my 2..

[alton]

If the tank was made by the Old Oceanic custom division or DSA's custom division, I would have no issue buying used. My 300DD will be the last tank with plastic center braces I ever buy!

[Scutterborn]

My DSA was used and look at that thread. Nearly 300 posts on the thread before I could even get a properly sealed tank into the house. It was a smoking deal though.


-Ben-

[Big_Pun]

I would take the tank size into effect too. Anything longer than 4ft, taller than 18 inches, or deeper than 24 inches I would not buy used. And please, if you buy a new tank, get the factory made matching stand.

Nothing gets my goat more than seeing someone buying a nice tank and voiding the warranty with a DIY stand.

i very much agree with Cory!!

[cowboy572]

Well I got momma's approval for a new tank. I will more than likely stick to something with a 4ft or 5ft footprint and wide. I hope luck is on my side and another DSA 185 or 190 comes on the market. Been slowly looking, surfing Austin's, Dallas, and Houston's club site looking to see what's out there.

[cowboy572]

Ok, just a little update on my search. I found a 180 brick (6 x 2 x 2) in Houston for a good price. The wife wants me to hold till I find a 210 to 240. But the way she's spending our tax refund money, I don't think the search may continue much longer. I will try to post a pic of it he sent and get your take on possibly the brand of tank. From what I can see of the stand it looks DSA, but I could be wrong. Also any opinions on 180 vs 200+ tanks?

[Scutterborn]

A 60"x24"x24" tank is a 150, buddy. That's a lot bigger difference between 210-240 vs 180. My DSA 185 has the same dimensions, only it's 30" wide


-Ben-

[cowboy572]

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k494/jarrodpape/2012-07-10_08-01-47_333.jpg



Any ideas on possibly the brand, thickness of glass, and the possiblity there's no center brace?

[cowboy572]

Ben, check your math. Every online aquarium calculator has this tank at 179.53 gallons. 12 x 6 is 72 not 60....

[Big_Pun]

60x2x2 is 150, that looks to a custom if it has no center brace. any better pics of overflow box and trim and stand. may help

[FireWater]

He's saying its a 6' (72") tank not 5' (60")

[cowboy572]

Thank you John!

[350gt]

Lol....


nice tank.

[Big_Pun]

yea I got that but any way more details on tank so we could help you

[Big_Pun]

here's the question the 180 wouldn't be hard to filter such as skimmer and powerheads and such, prices wont be to crazy. lighting six footers is a lil pricey. any thought into lights?

[reefreak]

here's the question the 180 wouldn't be hard to filter such as skimmer and powerheads and such, prices wont be to crazy. lighting six footers is a lil pricey. any thought into lights?
That's exactly why i downgraded.

[kkiel02]

I would take the tank size into effect too. Anything longer than 4ft, taller than 18 inches, or deeper than 24 inches I would not buy used. And please, if you buy a new tank, get the factory made matching stand.

Nothing gets my goat more than seeing someone buying a nice tank and voiding the warranty with a DIY stand.
Haha I had to do it because of my footprint. My one recommendation is to stay at 30" front to back. 36" and larger is just such a pain to move. I wish I would have done this. I'm at 2 used and 2 new. I like the piece of mind of a new tank but I know used is way cheaper.

[alton]

If it is an old Oceanic Brick it will have a sticker that will have the build date and I believe the initials of a person. It should be 3/4" glass? I know there are a few people here on MAAST that have or had a 180 Brick from Oceanic or DSA.

[Scutterborn]

My bad. Work has me a walking zombie right now. :)


-Ben-

[Bill S]

Personally, I think that 60 x 12 x 24 is a good size. As big as I'd want to get again. My 29" deep tank is just too deep. Unless you are Allan, you can't get to the bottom front of the tank without being IN the tank.

[cowboy572]

Okay, update here. We will be going with a 150 tall to keep that 4ft footprint and that way I will be able to use all my existing equipment till I can can afford to do some upgrades at a later date. My question is we just bought a house and with me planning on reusing my stand and sump, what would be the least stressful way of moving it. I have some "fish sitters" come in and offer there services. So what are some things I should start planning for. Because my last tank move was a big fiasco, and I don't want to go through that again.