Equipment Review and Discussion :: buying a new tank

[ice]

im going to look at a used 55 gallon tank with a stand tomorrow. its a steal at 70 bucks for the whole thing, but im worried it wont be good quality. what do you guys and girls do when looking at used tanks?

[grey goose]

Check carefully for any chips or cracks at the corners. Look closely at the silicone seals inside the tank. Is it dirty or dried out (brittle)? The color should be consistent and milky, not yellow or green. Press your finger against the seal in a couple of spots, it should "give" slightly, it shouldn't feel hard or brittle.
Check the welds on the stand, they should not be cracked or rusty. Rock it back and forth a few times, it should feel solid with no squeaking or groaning.

[steve]

Great advice! I need to add something like that to the main site

And Ice, fill the tank up when do get it. Checking for leaks should be a priority and most silicone leaks are easy to fix.