pricing for used stuff

[kare-bear]

I am getting ready to stock my aquarium. I was looking at local private sale items to get a deal. There is one ad. that is selling the tank contents in pieces. For 100 lbs of live rock at $6/lb and 100 lbs. of sand for $1/lb. He is selling everything in the tank first and then the equiptment. The pricelist includes crabs/snails at $2 each and a 2 headed frogspawn for $25. There are other fish listed...2 clowns $13 each or 2 for $20. Fire shrimp payed $25 asking $20. Purple tang for $90, payed $110.

I found a different set-up on a whole 180 gal. tank for sale. It includes 100 lbs rock, 100 lbs sand, nice fish and mixed coral, skimmer, sump, stand. everything for $2000.

I guess my question is.....what is a fair price for used goods? I would like a deal.....I don't want to ask for too much of a deal though.

I want to respond to these 2 ads. and possibly look at the stuff this weekend but I want to have a feel for what is fair pricing.

Thankyou for reading.....all opinions are appreciated.

 

[PEMfish]

Varies based on whats there.

 

[tbittner]

I don't know about prices in CA, but I just paid $4 per lb of tonga fusion rock from Dr. Mac (pacific east aquaculture). $6 seems a little high.

I also bought LR for my 120 from a guy who was tearing his tank down and I paid $2 per lb for it.

I bought a 450g tank for $500 and I bought a VERY nice stand for it (from the same guy) for another $500.

The 180 actually sounds like it might be a pretty good deal though, depending on the coral contents, lights, skimmer, etc...

 

[BoomerD]

It sounds to me like the guy selling things piecemeal is trying to recoup as much as possible from his set-up...while I certainly can't blame him for that, IME, his prices are outrageous.

 

[kare-bear]

I agree that the 180 gallon complete with stock/stand etc. is a good deal but I don't need any of the equiptment/tank. Would it be too bold to ask for the tank contents alone? The pictures of his set-up and pets are quite nice.

 

[PEMfish]

The first list of stock is too high, you can buy new for not much more. Talk him down for the used critters.
As for the 180, thats a pretty good deal IF the light, skimmer, and tank are good. Your call...
...All in my opinion.

 

[kare-bear]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my main interest in the two sales is the live rock. If the 2 tanks were using tap water is the rock any good? I have a RO/DI unit set-up and ready to go.
I'm wondering if any of the mineral/heavy metals that are in tap water would still be in the rock. Should I just get my own rock at the store/on line?

 

[tbittner]

If they show pictures of corals on the LR, how do they look? If they look good, then the LR is good.