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How do you feel about buying a used tank from a stranger? Should I worry about contamination? Or do you think it's safe?

I've bought a used one before that I saw listed in the classifieds....Its had it's ups and downs. In my case it came stocked and well....to put it nicely the guy had never seen a siphon . The tank was stocked badly, had been given water changes (supposedly) but there was @least an inch of fuzz on the gravel and oh yeah it was running UGF.
Anyway, it can be okay, but if it's already stocked with fish you might think twice and or make sure your LFS will help you out.

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Well I always break down used tanks and sanitize. I haven't seen a running setup yet that I would want except online. In person they are poorly taken care of tanks with half dead or diseased fish.

Just remove and toss everything inside of it unless there is something you just have to have. Better to start with new gravel or sand. Bleach and rinse the tank well, And I usually use oxyclean (says right on the back aquarium safe, in the laundry detergent aisle) for scrubbing. rinse the heck out of it and repeat once more. and then rinse the heck out of it.

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I've bought several used tanks and for the most part have come out okay. If not setup and running at the time you look at them, you might want a written guarantee for refund if the tank leaks - as I had this happen to me once. It was an easy enough repair, but if you're not wanting or willing to do that, be forewarned. Otherwise just follow what else as been said and you should be okay.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

if they are cheap, try it out. if no leaks then clean it good. but new tanks are always best. if no leaks and looks good condition, go ahead, but it is your money so u make the call.

New tanks are not necessarily "the best". We are talking about glass boxes. I know several tanks (one of mine included) that failed in the first two years.

Any aquarium you buy new or used can go. Just be very careful to check seals (yes even on a new tank), etc.

The bonus of a new tank is usually there is a warrenty if it does fail.

Koi

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Sharpix

In a very short answer NO
Reasons being once you have bought it it becomes your problem if and when the problems happen.

At least with a new tank bought from a good LFS or a store you should get a gurantee with it.

Keith

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I think the answer depends. Do you have more time than money? After cleaning, checking for leaks, replacing most or all items inside the tank, are you then willing to bet that the fish you carefully chose to go into that tank will never die because the tank springs a leak while you are out of the house? A friend's 14 month old tank sprung a leak and she lost all of her cichlids. Think it over.

I would feel ok about buying a used tank, as long as I didn't see any cracks in it.

I thank you all for your response. I am thinking that the gaurentee on a new tank and less work of not having to disenfect it makes the new tanka better option...

If it was a free tank, then it would have been a different story. Thanks again.

I suppose it depends, I've been GIVEN a used tank that is a pretty decent tank. Ten gallons, only leak I've found is at the top seal, so I just don't fill it up completely. It was also in "dry dock" for about 5-10 years before I got it... in the garage, exposed to the temp changes. Despite all that, it's been up and running for a year and a half with no problems other than the top rim leak.

I've seen some used tanks I would buy (mostly used, but sold at a LFS), but I would definitely have a "if it leaks, I don't want it" type policy. *shrugs* Personally, if it doesn't leak, a little elbow grease to clean it up is worth the money I saved on it. *shrugs*

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