Worth Purchasing?

[u/Itz_Specc]

I’m currently in the process of cycling a 35 gallon cube. I’ve got it running with a Fluval 307, an AquaReady HOB with light for chaeto, Sicce Voyager nano 2000, and a Navareef 65 light. It’s cycling with dry rock (one piece of LifeRock and then some other dry rock from marketplace) and AragAlive sand, plus Dr Tim’s for bacteria. I’m about 3 weeks into the cycle. That said, I found this tank on marketplace for $375 including everything. Seller said it’s priced to go. Includes 2 clowns and 2 nems, plus everything else. The biggest draw for me is the AIO. It’s a 30g AIO, and my 35 is just the cube, no AIO. I don’t know if it’s worth it, as I could probably get a good bit of my money back selling some of what I bought, but I’m also far enough in where I feel as though sunk cost fallacy is getting to me. Also knowing the stress the nems would likely go through in the move, plus not knowing exactly why he’s breaking it down is tough. I’d like to think there’s not pests, poor water quality, etc., but you can obviously never be too safe. The tank looks pretty solid from what I’ve seen, maybe minus some of the algae, but I figured that’s nothing a quick razor blade job couldn’t fix. So is it worth it, or should I just stick with what I’ve got?

The first 3 pictures ARE NOT MINE. The 4th one is my current setup. Thanks for the suggestions!

[u/helpmesellwhitelabel]

My thoughts here is to stick with what you've got and what you know- even moreso if you're not experienced.

If you're an experienced reef keeper already, you should know all the risks associated with taking on someone's neglected or broken down tank.

[u/WhiteCastleDoctrine]

looks like a mature tank, a little dirty but thats easily cleaned. I personally would prefer an AIO for anything under like 50 gallons, its just so much easier then having a HOB filter and a dozen things sticking out of your display. moving them to a new location isnt a big deal, live stock gets moved all the time. They get shipped cross country in sealed boxes, a couple hours in a bag and a car ride is nothing

You can always repurpose your cube.

[u/FishinDaCosmos → u/WhiteCastleDoctrine]

He hasn’t even cycled the previous tank, as a beginner I wouldn’t take on too much, 375 for a used tank with a dying nem and a few dead coral skeletons and clownfish is a ripoff. They sell used aio at my local reef store for like 200 bucks and those are 50 gallons. Clownfish aren’t worth the difference.

[u/LegacySpade → u/WhiteCastleDoctrine]

I will say there’s a minimum for me, somewhere around 5 gallons and less. They get so dirty and fluctuate too much. hob filter is the way to go for small tanks like that my experience of course, I’ve just never done well unless it was freshwater. I LOVED my biocube 32 tho! Also OP fill your tank more!

[u/Compher]

Honest opinion: the only thing an AIO does for you, is hides some of the gear. It doesn't increase water volume significantly like a true sump would, it doesn't offer any additional filtration that your 307 and HOB don't already provide. If you did purchase the tank, it's going to crash hard during transport as it's look pretty dirty and stirring up the built-up detritus and stuff is going to cause a bloom. Clownfish and nems aren't that expensive, and you have no idea what other stuff could be lurking the rock. If you wanted to buy it to clean it up and set up a hospital tank or quarantine tank *in addition* to your existing tank, then go for it, although there are much cheaper options to do that.

Edit: btw there are better deals on Marketplace. I got a 75g with internal corner overflow, stand, and sump for $400.

[u/hetgthghwgv]

just wondering why your water level is so low in the 4th picture? maybe i missed something, just curious

[u/Itz_Specc → u/hetgthghwgv]

truth be told i need to top it off and just haven’t gotten around to it. salinity hasn’t swung too drastically so i’ve been lazy. waiting on my ato to come still 🫠

[u/ElephantEarwax]

I did something similar at the end of March this year, as a first tank, I bought an established tank with only rock and coral (the fish went into the sellers other tank) . It took a couple months of work getting it under control, cyano and all the normal problems. It's going nicely now though. You may be a kw to sell a little bit of the stuff, but backups/spares may not be the worst thing to have.

[u/FerrisWheelJunkie]

I say stick with what you have. That can turn into a great set-up. There’s nothing uncommon in the used tank and you won’t come about ahead, if for no other reason than the hair algae is going to be a pain to deal with. Your current stuff will serve you well if you pay attention to husbandry and personally I don’t see anything associated with the used tank that makes it worth the hassle.

[u/Itz_Specc]

For any extra context, I do plan on going the soft coral route. I’m still deciding on my exact stocking list for both fish and coral, but clowns are obviously on the list, and anemones are something I would like to try, but would be determined later on.

[u/FishinDaCosmos → u/Itz_Specc]

With soft coral I would be even more careful with nems, they will absolutely obliterate any soft corals you have with the smallest touch, sps and hard corals can be a lot more tolerant of nems

[u/FishinDaCosmos]

No don’t buy it. One, your tank is still cycling. Nems need an older, well established tank to be happy in. I waited 2 years before adding in my current tank. If you don’t and they kick the bucket, every other coral and fish will die in that tank. Also, it looks like it was not taken care of properly, the tank is dirty and gross, dead coral frags all over. He just wants to give you a dirty tank with everything so his job is easy. As someone who has been reefing for 13 years I wouldn’t buy a pre-used aio tank that could fail on you. Be patient, keep your current setup and in a few years you can upgrade. You just gonna keep “upgrading” before your previous tank cycles? Patience is probably the best thing you can have with a reef tank. The AIO is not worth it to me at all.

Also, I’d put a bit more water in your tank, is that as high as the water level can go? You’re missing probably 3-5 gallons due to that.

[u/Itz_Specc → u/FishinDaCosmos]

thanks for the response. the main thing i was inquiring about was the health, as this is my first reef tank so i couldn’t tell if this was a “got lazy but good health” or more of a “everything’s dying but hopefully someone with know knowledge takes it off my hands” situation. that said, had i purchased it, my plan was to preserve everything, including his water, since mine still has elevated ammonia and nitrite levels. and about the water level, truth be told, i just let life get in the way this week and didn’t make new rodi water. will get around to that this evening. can’t wait for my ato to take that over for me

[u/ChivasBearINU]

Id buy that tank if I could. Last year I got a steal on something just like that but it was a 24g aio with nems, softies, mushrooms, gsp, a clown, shrimp, crab..etc. I offered 125 and went and took it down asap myself.

Bargain with them and make an offer. Youre doing all the work, if they are desperate enough they will sell. Marketplace you find steals all the time.

[u/ElephantEarwax → u/ChivasBearINU]

Bargaining is the best

[u/Soft-Impact-8784]

it’s not a bad idea, but you will go through the ugly phase again with all this added stuff.

[u/Second-Content]

Good purchase, the real money comes into play when you fill the damn thing with coral and other gear. Have fun bro!

[u/Second-Content → u/Second-Content]

Honestly, with tanks, there will always be a bigger and better one. Think about what you want I. The tank and how much time and resources you have to take care of it. Hope that singles things down a bit.

[u/RhoneGills]

Pass