Possible New Tank

So, buddy of mine is sadly going through a divorce, but is selling off his 35g bow front setup. Everything is included, and I mean everything for 100 bucks.

Here's a pic:


Now, he's been running it for the last two years with tap water. Not ro, I doubt he even used a conditioner. As you can see there are some issues with the setup. I doubt he's been keeping his levels where they should be due to the small amount of coraline I see. Plus, he obviously never cleans any of the equipment.

The current fish list in it is a Clown, Cardinal (didn't say what kind) and a Mandarin (!) The Mandarin i will probably sell or possibly give to someone local because this tank is entirely too small for him. Aside from these fish there are some snails and a couple of hermits, maybe a couple stars, thats it.

SO major questions:

I know this is a screaming deal, but will it end up being more trouble than it's worth?

Should I try to save the sand, or at least as much as possible or should I get new sand and just try to save the rock?

 

I say go for it...worst case scenario, if you can't save the tank, you end up with a bunch of extra supplies or you can piece them out to sell to make your money back + some. Best case...you give these fish a happier home and feel good about what you have accompished.

The tank obviously needs some work but with a little TLC I have no doubt you can turn it around. Good luck with it...I'm sure everyone here would appreciate some before and after pics when you get things turned around.

 

Most everyone is saying go for it. Lol. I've just never kept saltwater before and don't want to get in over my head. the moving it part scares me. I have to get like, 7 5g buckets from home depot, and a couple rubbermaid containers for the rock, etc.

As far as I can tell, it's got the Koralia Slim Skimmer, and a big HOB filter. This I've decided will be replaced with a 20L sump and ATS accordingly.

Also just placed my order for an RODI unit. :-D

 

Sounds like a good deal. I'd start with new sand and keep the rock. It (rock) may have a lot of phosphate trapped up so I'm guessing you should run some kind of gfo or phosphate remover. But i m not that experienced so someone else could probably explain it better.

 

Yeah, I've talked to some of the guys I know that run saltwater setups and they suggested replacing the sand as well. I think I'm going to have to build a taller stand for it as well. The other pic i have of it looks like the stand is maybe 18-24" tall. >_<

Now that I think about it. Wonder if I can somehow finagle a bean overflow into this with a c2c.... <mind runs wild>


ninja edit: just found out I have basically tonight. >_< fml

 

for the money its a sweet deal, I would see about leaveing the old sand adn rock in there and just replace all teh water with fresh mixed ro saltwater and run GFO or ECOBAK to try and get the lvels down. keep it fish only minus the manderin and you should be fine for a good bit or untile you are realy to replace some stuff on it.

and the cleaning is the hardest part I promise ;D good luck

 

yeah, i just got off the phone with the guy. I literally have tonight only to get the tank and everything moved. >_< he closes the sale on his house this friday. fml. this is gonna royally suck!

 

Small update. It's 10:47pm where I am. Tank is up, live rock is in, somewhat close to how it was before. Filters running. The hob skimmer is actually a CPR, not currently running it. Fish are in the transport bucket with a heater. Won't be long now before i can add them back in!