This is the equipment end of the category: aquariums and tank setups, large crates and travel carriers, pet strollers, grooming equipment and complete kits. Items here are worth inspecting properly and worth planning transport for before you agree a price.
Supplies and equipment only — live animals are not listed or sold here.
Aquariums: buy the setup, not just the tank
A bare tank is worth far less than a complete setup, so establish exactly what is included before you talk price: filter, pump, heater, light, lid, stand, gravel, decorations, nets and test kits. Ask for brands and models on the equipment, since a good filter can be worth more than the glass. Then inspect the tank itself:
- Silicone seams. Look along every seam for peeling, gaps, discolouration or bubbles. This is where leaks start, and resealing a tank is a job in itself.
- Glass condition. Check for chips at the corners and deep scratches on the viewing panes. Any chip is a structural risk once the tank is filled.
- Ask for a leak test. A seller confident in the tank will not mind it being filled, even partly.
- Equipment running. Have the filter, pump, heater and light powered on so you can confirm they work and are not noisy.
Transport an aquarium empty, upright and padded, and never lift a glass tank by its frame alone. Ask for the dimensions and weight in advance — larger tanks need two people and a vehicle, and the stand has to be sound enough to carry the filled weight.
Large crates, carriers and strollers
Check internal dimensions against your animal's size and the rated weight range, test every latch and door several times, and look at the hinges and bars for bending or chew damage. Confirm the tray is present and uncracked. On travel carriers, check whether it meets the requirements of whoever you plan to travel with, since airline and rail rules are specific and are worth confirming directly with the operator. On strollers, test the folding mechanism, brakes and wheels.
Grooming and other equipment
Run clippers and dryers through every setting, check blades for sharpness and whether replacements are available, and inspect cables along their full length. Confirm all attachments and guards are included.
Before you pay
Ask how everything was cleaned and disinfected, get the model numbers for anything electrical, test it all yourself, and agree transport in advance for anything large or fragile.