General Care Discussion :: Question about a pending Craiglist deal... help?

[TurtleKeeper48]

Okay, I'm pretty new to all of this and I'm trying to set up a large turtle tank.

I've been watching Craigslist for a Fluval FX5 - I just saw one pop up and I contacted the seller. My one question was - what about the hoses? I don't see them in the picture. He's going to check and see if he can find them, but it was his business partners and not his so he doesn't know if he'll find them or not.

EDIT - here's the link: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/for/1412808519.html

Questions:

1) How hard / expensive would it be to replace the hoses?

2) When you buy one brand new, does it come with the hoses?

3) Is this a good a deal?

4) What else should I check?

Thanks

[papoopeepoo]

1. The Hoses can be purchased from multiple locations (including Hagen directly) for reletively cheap. (~$25 shipped)

2. Yes. It comes with 9, or so, feet of hosing when you buy it new.

3. Yes. It seems like a good deal as long as it's fully operational. I paid $250 for mine and some website sell then for close to $350.

4. Most of the parts are replaceable, so as long as the pump runs and it is watertight you should be fine. Try asking him what type of tank he used it on, I'm not sure if they're compatible with saltwater tanks. If he did use it on a saltwater tank you may need to replace more than just basic parts.

EDIT: By the way, I wouldn't use that filter on anything less than a 55 gallon tank. The output is really incredible. I have it at 3/4s output and it still makes a flow from one end to the other in my 6 foot tank.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Thanks. He just emailed back - no hoses. I'm guessing it is also missing the spray bar or nozzle or whatever it uses... but he's willing to come down in price because of it. I'm going to offer him $100.

BTW - It's for a 75 gallon I am setting up for two turts so I think it would be a good filter for me.


EDIT - I decided that was WAY too much to offer. Considering I'd need about $57 worth of repacement parts, and then the condition is still unknown AND it sounded like it was probably used for salt... considering the price new - I told seller I can't pay any more than $40 so I'l'll just pass... I told him to let me know if nobody else will buy it at all and I'll buy it cheap, but no more than $40

[BullDog]

I was going to say, $150 is pretty steep for used with missing parts.
You can use vinyl tubing that you get at hardware stores, and that could be a cheap replacement, but you'd still need to get or make the input/output.

You used to be able to find them new on ebay for about $200-250 shipped, though I haven't checked them out recently. Mine even came with bonus carbon and polish pad.