Advice on Selling Complete Setup

So I am on the fence, get out or stay in . I have a successful 2 year old 110 set up. I just don't know if I can keep going. It mostly runs itself with the exception of monthly water changes.





Question is how does one sell ? I mean its not like the hand off is simple. How does the buyer get the contents home, set up the tank , and all that stuff??

Has anyone gone through this, selling or buying a complete setup and can you offer any advice ??


Cheers

 

after two years of work I can say that I couldent just get rid of it all but I might down size is other issues came up. not to pry into your personal life but what is your reason for getting out of the hobby?

 

Ive sold two tanks, a 29g and a 14g..So nothing of that scale! But All i do, is make sure they pay atleast half up front and then i would take out all LR and put them in the buckets they brought and then i would put corals, nems,anything i have in a bags or buckets..Once all livestock is out, i would shut down power on the tank(You should probably do this wants you start taking out LR) drain it, move all equipment out and most of the time thats enough for me and im done..But you have plumbing and stuff...I never have had a sump.

 

Been doing this for 5 years, went through Small tanks, up to 5 tanks, fresh to salt, I guess I find myself. With more work than enjoyment

Don't just sit and enjoy anymore ..

Of course this all changes every fee months when something happens
Like, clowns laying eggs, Bubble tip splitting from 1 to 5, And just lately
I found a baby starfish. No idea where that came from, I haven't added in months

So as I said , Some days I want out and others not so much ...

So I guess I want to know how easy or hard it is to sell so I can make a list



Cheers

 

You will need buyer with lots of buckets/lids, rubber maid tubs, battery aerator, truck, and helper to move. I bought 100 gallon system about 30 miles from my house and had it up and running in my basement in about 3 hours. It was an exciting adventure for the entire family. But you almost have to give the tank away, don't expect to get a lot of money on the sale.
I hope you keep your tank, it's beautiful!

 

lol on the sight its pretty easy because you can normally just ask how they want it shipped and done lol as far as local pick up thats a whole nother matter. I can say that is you do what you love and enjpy you will never work a day in your life (most days ;D) but if your going to sell and have time just go slow and see what your comfertable with in my experiances

 

My advice to you is to sell your livestock and live rock first, locally by listing it on local reef club boards, Craigslist, and E-bay for local pick-up only. It is a really pain to ship your own livestock, if you are not set up to do so. If you end up with a couple of corals left that aren't that valuable, you could always give it away.

When you have sold off or given away your livestock and live rock, then I would recommend doing the same thing with your complete set-up. List it on E-bay, Craigslist, and local reef clubs for pick-up only. I would not advise you to sell your stuff piecemeal, or you are going to end up with a lot of odds and ends that nobody wants and that you are stuck with.

A lot of people would be interested in a ready to go, 110 gallon reef tank. For example, I live in IL and bought a completely set-up 75 gallon reef tank, the works, last year in MI. It was a pain in the rectum to drive up there and get it, but well worth it. Your 110 set-up is very well done and would easily sell for well over $600.

Good luck,

Jim

 

I sold my entire 75g FOWLR several years ago on Ebay. The winning bidder came up from Chicago with a van and a bunch of plastic garbage cans. One thing he did that was really smart was to bring a video camera and have me take down the system and explain things. He did call once the next day freaking out about how he couldn't get the overflow siphon going, but other than that things went smoothly he said. He also bought some battery-powered pumps.

 

Lots of good ideas. My one time experience was with lots of 5 gallon buckets for each item to keep it safe. The water was a bonus.

Where are you at? I sure would like to find something like your set up for sale.

Rick

 

Bunch of good suggestions on here. Basically two options: sell in segments (livestock first, then equipment), or all at once.

I bought a 90 gal (see signature) complete with LR, fish, coral, the works. If you do it this way, work with the buyer with plenty of time before the day of the move. For a ~100 gallon system, you'll almost need 2 trucks, one for the equipment/tank, one for the livestock/LR/water. Make sure the buyer brings PLENTY of bins. I brought 6 of those 18 gallon tubs, plus 4 six-gallon jugs. It does help to write down everything in a diagram, or videotape yourself disassembling it.

Good luck!