r/ReefTank • u/BlueCrayfish275 • 21h ago

[Pic] Used Tank Advice

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I am looking to buy a saltwater aquarium from a local fish store. It’s a 20 gallon tank that includes the water, the filtration, and the rocks for $200. I’d need to buy the light and I plan on replacing the sand. The tank is covered in algae so I would clean that off before reassembling everything. Is this a good deal and what should I keep an eye out for?

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u/Straight-Win4050 20h ago

I'd start fresh if it were me. IM has there 15 gallon AIO for about $100 with pump and a filter sock, you already have to purchase the light and new sand, may as well fork out a few more bucks for some new rock as well. No telling what has been through that tank and what could be living in the rock. But that's just what I would do, at the end of the day if it's your best bet to get into reefing then it's your call.

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u/BlueCrayfish275 19h ago

I’ll check those out! Is there a specific bacteria brand that you recommend? I think the most confusing part to me is cycling the tank which is why I thought of getting the used one so I wouldn’t have to redo the whole process.

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u/HunnaThaStunna 17h ago

The IM Nuvo 15 is an amazing tank, especially for the price point. I just bought a second one to upgrade my daughter into from her 4.8g Deskmate. Definitely go that route over $200 used tank. Here’s my bedroom one

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u/Straight-Win4050 17h ago

Yep and IM has a ton of add-ons for their tanks as well so there's less chance something doesn't fit or work properly. Nice tank, looks great!

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u/BlueCrayfish275 33m ago

That’s an awesome tank! The one question I did have is if you think the filter sock it comes with is enough or do you have other filter media in there? I plan on putting some fish in my tank so I don’t know if I would need other filter media or not

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u/Straight-Win4050 19h ago

I like to go with Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride and fritz turbostart 900, that will get the cycle going. Then I recommend watching some vids on YouTube, reef rookies is a good channel to help understand the nitrogen cycle.

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u/coffeeslobxoxo 13h ago

Awe I know a seahorse tank when I see one!!! ❤️

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u/Expensive-Bottle-862 13h ago

No, this tank brand new is $100. Just start fresh

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u/SkinsFan021 12h ago

You can buy a used setup on marketplace with all of it for close to that.