Something Borrowed, Something New: Do you buy new or used equipment?

[AlyciaMarie]

Another man's trash is another man's treasure? There are pros and cons to both buying new equipment and purchasing used equipment. If you buy new, you'll probably pay a more significant chunk of change, but if you buy used, you may end up buying twice. However, each individual's needs are different and unique, and we must all weigh the pros and the cons when it comes to deciding whether to purchase something new or used. But in general, which way do you often find yourself purchasing?

When it comes to reefing equipment, do you buy new or used? And why?

 

[shakacuz]

usually new, but depends on the equipment and if i can find it at a reasonable cost based on age/length of use.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Used tanks, new equipment.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Always new.

It all boils down to warranty - where I live everything has a mandatory 12 month warranty with the warranty on the retailer with no buck passing back to a manufacturer.

Nothing beats guaranteed money back if an item fails to perform.

 

[IceNein]

Depends. You can save a lot of money on a tank, until the seam busts because of the stress of a teardown and a move, and then you end up losing thousands more than you would have spent. For something like lighting? If it works and it's on a steep enough discount, yes, but I will just assume that it will die earlier than a new light.

 

[Hrosik123]

New with warranty is the way to go. This is an expensive hobby so save and buy what you want. Buy once cry once.

 

[traumamed]

I've always bought used tanks. Acrylic and glass don't exactly wear out. I've never personally had to do it, but if the tank were older, maybe consider a re-seal while you have it apart. You can get great deals this way. As in, 70-80% off the new price. People usually sell the whole package - tank, stand, canopy, sump, and often include other equipment, live rock, etc. It's not uncommon to see whole tank packages in the 180-300 gal range that would be $10,000 new selling for $1,500-2,000.

Skimmers, reactors, and algae scrubbers are also good candidates for used. Worst case, you might have to replace the pump.

LED lights, return pumps, UV - big nope on used, unless they are free.

 

[Tamberav]

Mostly used, it has never failed me.

My regal skimmer was $100 used ($550 new), and I have been using it for a few years now.

Bought a used eheim return pump, used it like 10 years with no issues and gave it away to another person when I upgraded tanks.

My apex was used and practically free as I bought a bundle of stuff then sold the extra stuff.

People mentioned warranty but most things have a 1 year warranty and most stuff doesn’t fail within one year unless it’s a lemon, that’s why they give you one year.

I’d say buying new is only worth it if the warranty is longer like reefis 3 year or tunzes 5 year.

My reef lights are all used and I have them past any warranty period. That would have long expired.

Usually with how discounted used stuff is, you could buy 2-3 used for one new with warranty and chances are good the used stuff will keep working for years.

 

[JayM]

I voted “other” as I’ve only ever bought one thing used and it was my tank. Everything else was purchased new.

 

[CrashTestBennie]

Another man's trash is another man's treasure? There are pros and cons to both buying new equipment and purchasing used equipment. If you buy new, you'll probably pay a more significant chunk of change, but if you buy used, you may end up buying twice. However, each individual's needs are different and unique, and we must all weigh the pros and the cons when it comes to deciding whether to purchase something new or used. But in general, which way do you often find yourself purchasing?

When it comes to reefing equipment, do you buy new or used? And why?

Buying used comes with baggage. They use most of the good and leave you with the bad. The only used product I have purchased in this hobby is a gently used AI Hydra 32...

 

[kingranch2003]

Am I the only one that read this as "Something BURROWED"? I was about to drop hela pics.

 

[X-37B]

I buy used Tunze dc skimmers when they become available.
I have 3-9410dc's, 1 is a backup for the other 2 systems running 9410's, and they are all used.
I have 3 9430dc's. 1 on a sysyem and 2 complete backups.
I wanted a backup pump for my main 9430 but found 2 used complete skimmers. Each one was purchased for less than a new pump, $400.
Extra skimmer cups, Tunze have the built in neck, are a bonus as you just lift out the dirty one and place the clean one in and you are done.
I purchased my Geo 818 used for such a good deal I did not need to look any further.
Skimmer row, lol.

 

[vlangel]

I started out with mostly used. I got good deals at a very good value.

Now that I have kept reefs for 25 years I have learned that I am a KISS (keep it simple stupid) reef keeper. As such my needs are limited so I have bought new for the last 10 years.

So both have worked for me.

 

[aquaman67]

I buy new mostly.

Although SaltWaterAquaium offered a used pump I use for my skimmer (hang on back Remora with a Sicce 1.0) so i bought it for a backup.

I don’t see used equipment for sale very often. I’m not opposed to it. I just never see it.

 

[snorklr]

for somebody just starting out, that has no clue if they're going to succeed of fail, used stuff gives you a low cost starting point...as you gain experience you can then upgrade to things you feel are better, and now you have your original stuff as backup in case something fails ...a new Radion lists for almost a grand...I bought a used one from a LFS for 300 almost 10 yrs ago, and another off Craigslist for 250 a couple years ago for whenever the first one dies...my 1/4 hp JBJ chiller is also close to a grand, think I paid 200 from another LFS ....had to replace a circuit board in the chiller for 150 and a fan in the Radion over the years but still way ahead of new...but this also only applies if you're the type of person who can troubleshoot and fix things and not just throw them out when they don't work...

 

[Crabs McJones]

Depends what it is. I've bought new and used lighting and had good luck with both. Pumps I'll always buy new. I'll buy a used skimmer but likely replace the pump if the deal is good

 

[mjszos]

Depends on the equipment, but I follow the same philosophy as I do with tools…

Buy the cheaper option first, when it breaks or I legitimately outgrow it invest into the nicer/more expensive option.