Possibly starting over...

the ole' Jedi mind trick lol yeah get it going but take ur time but you have to start sooner than later because you know the process can be long

 

youre absolutly right, but thats ok. ill take my time and do it right. i shouldnt even bring this up, but now i cant wait til my next day off to make sure the tank is still there. It should be, the owner said its been sitting there for a long time now. everybody cross your fingers for me.
Ill be sure to keep everybody updated and make a thread as i build it.

 

Awesome!

 

At risk of being the only one not entirely enthused about this deal--I'd say to consider what you're getting. If you're looking at a used 55G tank with stand and hood, with maybe lights that you'd have to replace (are you thinking of keeping corals?) Then I'd not offer much more than $100. You could get a new 55 for about that much, and build your own stand and canopy for a song. Factor in that it "needs some cleaning up" as you put it. Is the tank scratch free?

On the upside, it's reef ready in that it's drilled with an overflow--that's something you don't see that much on 55's.

It all comes down to your level of excitement; and your particular scenario. If you're stoked, then maybe you should go for it--but I'd at least see what other offers exist out there before pulling the trigger. A 90G tank is 6" larger from front to back, and about 3-4 inches higher, allowing for better stability without a significant price jump.

I recently sold my old 55 with stand on eBay, and was absolutely shocked that I got $130 for it. Honestly, I was mentally prepared to get just a few bucks.

I don't mean to be a killjoy, but having been there--you should know that a 55G tank is a bit difficult to aquascape for coral keeping, being that there's a scant 12" from front to back, which will prohibit any "depth" to your arrangement. I'd say to just keep your options open. If the LFS changed the price, then that should tell you that his inventory is not exactly flying out the door these past few weeks. Take solace in that, and realize that it's a buyer's market right now. Sellers are more desperate than buyers.

However, everyone's situation is unique. If you want this--don't let one guy's opinion stop you. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

Ok reefsparky, you got me on a few things here.
I cant say for 100% that the glass is scratch free. I looked it over fairly quickly while waiting for the cashier to ring me up. But i will be looking at it much closer next time im there.
There are NO lights with it. This I know will be pricey, especially since I am a huge fan of metal halides.
As far as cleaning it up, there is quite a bit of dried coraline on the glass to be scraped off and the whole thing is covered in dust. But the stand and hood look very new. Same color wood as the rest of my furniture in the living room.
I know a 55 isn't THAT roomy, but going from a 20 for the past few years it seems like a huge step up from what Im used to and how much more I can do with it.
I do like the corner overflow design. Im ready for an upgrade and it just seemed like fate for me to see this tank the other day and for my tank to crash today. I will not offer more than $100 for it, and im gonna take youre advice, when i get home im gonna do some research and see what else i can buy for the amount Im gonna be putting into this one. As stupid as it sounds, the money is the problem, not the work. I like projects so i would rather spend a ton of time slowing putting this one together paycheck to paycheck than spending a few hundred dollars more to have one "ready to go".
Youre advise and opinion is much appreciated. I will be taking into cobnsideration all that you said. Thanks again reefsparky!

 

Hey guys and gals,
So ive got some more terrible news and some (maybe) great news.
My little 20 gallon reef tank is completely wiped out. Nothing survived, not even a hermit or turbo. Very sad, sad week for me..
But I made an offer on that 55 at the lfs. Im just waiting on the owner to give me a call back. The guy that works there says he is pretty confident the guy will give in since nobody else has been making too many offers and the tank's been sitting there for two months. I was told he should be calling tonight to come pick it up. My fingers are crossed.
So a few questions about my (hopefully) new tank.
The underside of the canopy looks like it would be a mere 5" or 6" from the water surface, no room for metal halides(bummer). What would the next best thing be? I here alot about T5's and PC's. Any preferences between the two? Keep in mind I'll probably go with a fowlr since I'll be moving to a new state within the next year or so. I wanna keep it simple. At the most a few easy softies down the road..
There is quite a bit of dried on coralline algea. Anybody know an effective way of getting this off without scratching the glass?
Probably a stupid question but I should throw out all the rock in my 20 right? Would drying it out be ok then adding it in with a ton of new lr?
I hear alot of mixed opinions about this "high desert play sand". Sounds cheap and some ppl swear by it, others say it's bad news. I have no experience with it.
I assume the 20 gal fuge I use now should be fine for the 55, after some thorough cleaning?
Anymore ideas/opinions/advise I should be needing before setting this tank up is more than welcome. I'm sure I'm missing more than a few things. Thanks in advance.

 

One word of advice. When I bought a used tank it had coraline algea on it(I could not see in the tank). After setting it up if you looked close you could see the reminance of the algea on the glass. It appeared that it etched the glass. just look the tank over real well and make sure it is what you want. If your happy with it and YOU feel that your getting a good deal then go for it. Just don't be to hasty and never stop looking you never know what could come up.

 

I would low-ball him, deals are to be had everywhere, I seen a used 72g bowfront RR with stand, and some "extras" for 120, they considered 75, this was just today btw.

I see 3-5 fish tanks go up on craigslist every day (chicago area) and every now and then some insane deals, i missed this one but a 120g RR tank STOCKED, LR, fish, corals, pumps, sumps, lights, the work, asking 350 obo, i missed it though.

 

Hey jim,just read through all your post.....WOW so sorry that you went threw all that .I hope you figure it one day and let us know..That 55 sounds good.Its what I have now(not RR)..Im with reefsparky its very hard to get it the way you picture it should be in your head(if that makes sence lol)...placement id kinda a pain.but you can still soooo much you will be surprised what will fit if you get creative....Well I hpoe the deal goes well for you...keep us posted....oh and pics of the new stuff as you get is a must...lol

 

Huh? For a used 55 gallon? Sure, but only for valued customers! LOL

By any chance, is this the same LFS where you got the two corals, put them in your tank, and your tank crashed the next day?

At "That Pet Place" in Pennsylvana, a *new* standard 55 gallon All Glass is $120. A *new* reef ready 55 gallon All Glass is $170

I would offer $10 just out of principle.

I wouldn't go above $35 unless you know that it's not very old (probably) and that employees haven't been standing on it to reach a shelf or something (probably).