Where And How To Get The Right Used Aquarium
New aquariums come with many benefits like warrantees and being completely free of any blemishes, but for some it is much more feasible to seek out a used aquarium for sale and save a big percentage of money. There are many places to find a used aquarium and it is very possible to find one that will meet all the needs of the aquarist and the animals.
Buying a used aquarium is a fine choice as long as one knows what to look for to avoid the pitfalls of getting something that isn't really what you want.
When checking the aquarium you should check to see if there are any cracks in the glass that might cause a leak. Look for scratches or other blemishes that might diminish the view, keep in mind also that scratches usually look much worse when the tank is empty than when it is full of water. Check the edges of the aquarium and ensure they are all flush corners with no edges sticking out further than others and that all corners are square, not smooth edges could compromise the strength of the tank and could also be a hazard if sharp. Check the silicone binding on glass aquariums and the bonded seams on acrylic aquariums (ones that aren't uni-body those have no seams) and ensure they are smooth and neat with no bubbles or air pockets. The original manufacturers qualifications and the age of the aquarium itself are things that should also be taken into consideration.
If the used tank your looking at comes with a stand you should make sure its level and that it appears to be of high enough quality to support the weight of the tank and its contents. Any stand that was manufactured for the purpose of holding an aquarium should do fine.
There are many places to look for a used aquarium. Where ever you generally look for used goods is a good spot. Local classifieds or online classifieds like Craigslist or Gumtree are excellent. Ebay can also be a good source just be sure to look for tanks that are close enough to your home that you can pick them up as most used tanks can't be delivered.
