My lady has declared a moratorium on garage sale tank purchases (though she used to pick up some neat deals too.) In the spring we set up a new 32 gallon trash can (often Rubbermaid's Roughneck or the industrial grade Brute cans) and dump 3 gallons of bleach in there, after filling them mostly up with hose water - outside in a shaded, out of the way area where kids wouldn't play. The can has a tight cover. A garage sale tank, some of the equipment and a bunch of jars and funky items which have accumulated in the winter, are carefully placed in there. After a day or seven, that stuff is drained and placed in another clean trash can with either sodium thiosulfate (the active ingredient in all chlorine removers) or a little vinegar. That gets rid of the bleach residue. (Use old clothing when doing this; watch your eyes!)

It is easier just bleaching garage sale tanks, rummage sale stuff, block sale aquaria, newspaper sale items, stuff purchased late in an aquarium club auction (when prices plunge) and even the amazing number of tanks which get left out on garbage day, than asking awkward questions such as "So, why did you get out of fish-keeping?" ;)

I'm continually astonished by how many tanks, often in great condition, get put out in our throwaway culture. Picked up an entire, almost new, 20 gallon set-up with all of the accessories and gave it to a buddy.

You, Guppy Lover 15, are a bit young to be cruising on garbage day, but if one of your folks as a sense of humor and a frugal streak, they might keep an eye out on the way to work or while running errands. This of course, is entirely your idea. ;)

When my new bride and I moved to the 'burgs I was astonished and indignant at all the people who drove around on garbage pick-up day. Not too long afterwards, while on the way to work, I spied a beautiful 29 gallon tank and a couple of smaller ones by the curb. Probably set a new world speed record for a U-turn.

The big tank looked so nice, my conscience (such as it is) bothered me all day. On the way home I stopped at the house and asked if they were really tossing that tank out or were just cleaning it.  They smiled and noted that it had an 8" seam leak and that, yes, they didn't want it any more. Was able to pass those on to a wonderful couple in grad school, who were interested in setting up some tanks and were not bothered at all by having to clean up and reseal the freebies.

Another great source of tanks, often "industrial grade" though a little battered, is when a pet shop is remodeling. I picked up a bunch of very solid tens when the shop relocated and went to 29s.

Sadly, a number of shops go out of business. Even private breeders may do that and have 100 tanks to sell off. It is a little uncomfortable taking advantage of someone else's misfortune. However you may be helping them make space, get rid of unwanted equipment and gather a little cash when it might really be needed.

I never realized that getting to know aquarists well, would mean that over the years, there would be wakes and memorial services to attend. A number of people I know have bought fish and equipment from surviving family members (when keeping a bunch of fish was absolutely not a priority). They didn't need the fish and equipment, but it was actually a way of helping the bereaved through a difficult time.

I hope that doesn't sound too awful to a teenager. But it is another way to pick up equipment on a teenager's budget.

Late in the summer (I think it was about 1779) when I was working a temporary job to help finance that fall's college term, I swung home before my graveyard shift, one afternoon. My Mom sidled over, handed me a newspaper and noted, "I probably shouldn't show you this." ("Don't tell you Dad I gave this to you.")

It was an ad for two twenty-gallon tanks, stands, lights, a pump and filters and the tanks, etc which went on the bottom of those two stands. I hitched a ride over to the address mentioned and cut a deal for all of that for $50. I asked the guy why he was selling them. He responded, "Well, I'm going away to college...."

On the walk home, my Dad happened by and offered a ride.

"What did you offer to buy?"

"Oh, a 20-gallon tank."

"Hum."

"And since it was a part of a set, it made sense to get the other 20-gallon tank."

"Yeah..."

"And there were stands and lights. It made more sense to get them too."

"I see."

"And there were these tanks which fit on the bottom of those stands. What would they have done with them? It was only logical to buy them too."

"Uh-huh.... Well, I'm glad for you that you got such a good deal."

"Just don't tell you Mom I said that."