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.