2 Actinic 20,000K and 2 Magtinic 5,000K lights, good enough for:

[Sylock]

I've got to check the wattage but assuming they are the higher end ballasts are these lights good for most coral. Eventually I want to add in MH to get a clam but for now I'll just be doing corals.

I've got a chance to buy an 85 gallon with stand, these lights, and a rio 2100 pump. It's been used for a year and the people upgraded to a bigger tank.

So what would you pay for it?

[Rick O]

Hi Sylock,

We would need more info about the lights to tell you if they'll work for corals. If they are pc's or VHO then they may be ok for most softies. Here's a thread you may want to read.

As for used tanks I would only buy one if it's a steal. Used reefing equipment has a low resale value. Many people will advertise in their local paper and not get any responses. After a few days or weeks they are desparate and in the end will take next to nothing for it. If you do get it I would plan on swapping the Rio out for something else before using it. They have a reputation of burning up and polluting the tank.

[OodleyBoodely]

Another consideration in buying a used tank is that you don't know if copper was ever used in it. Once copper has been used, the tank is contaminated for evermore. Copper bonds with the glass itself not just the silicone. It is actually possible to remove the copper, but, it is a labor intensive and dangerous process that (IMO) is just not worth it. It's still ok for a fish only, but would never be safe for inverts. So, if you trust these people's word, ask them if they ever used any kind of copper medications.

[reefguy]

oodley...i'd have to strongly disagree. my tank came with my house and it was obvious that copper was used in it before. as an individual with a chemical engineering degree, i understand the principles of concentration gradients and i totally disagree with the premise that "once a tank has had copper in it, it can never be copper free again." copper ions will bond with silicone and other materials in a tank, but with regular copper-free water changes and a copper-adsorbent material in your filter, you can eventually reduce the copper to immeasureable levels. as the copper is removed from the water through water changes and adsorbent material changes, the copper that is adsorbed to the silicone and glass WILL return to solution where it can be removed with a little diligence. the tools are there to make your tank reef-inhabitable...use them

[Doug1]

"copper ions will bond with silicone and other materials in a tank, but with regular copper-free water changes and a copper-adsorbent material in your filter, you can eventually reduce the copper to immeasureable levels. as the copper is removed from the water through water changes and adsorbent material changes, the copper that is adsorbed to the silicone and glass WILL return to solution where it can be removed with a little diligence. the tools are there to make your tank reef-inhabitable...use them"
Reefguy, there in lies the problem, IME most people who by a used tank want to get it up and running in as little time s possible

[OodleyBoodely]

Reefguy, I am definately no expert here, but, my caution is based on readings here and on Reefcentral, where the consensus seems to be that due to the difficulty of removing copper completely from a system and the potentially dangerous chemicals used to do so, that in most cases it is just not worth it. The fact that the copper will slowly leach back into the system is why the tank becomes unsuitable for inverts. I believe it was Dr. Ron Shimek who emphasized that even very low levels of copper leached back into solution in a reef tank can be very toxic to invertebrates.

[Jimbo]

Check out how much copper is in synthetic saltmixes, most are much higher than natural salt water.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...eatures%2F1%2F