Used aquariums in Australia typically sell for A$48 to A$345 (about $34 to $240). A complete running aquarium is a different sale from an empty tank — the filter, heater, lighting and cabinet are most of what the buyer is paying for, so inventory the equipment before you price it.
What aquariums are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$345 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$293 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$224 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$155 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$86 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Tanks with no chips, cracks or failing seals
- Recognised brands with spares available
What pulls it down
- Silicone seals that have lifted or perished
- Missing lids and light units, often model-specific
Selling an aquarium in Australia
Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Australia’s second-hand market is strongly local and strongly seasonal, with most activity concentrated in the eastern capitals and buyers who expect to collect.
WishThrift has not opened Australia for trading yet, so this page is a guide rather than a live marketplace — the category becomes browsable here the moment the first Australian sellers list.
Seasons are inverted relative to the UK and North America: warm-weather items move from September, and winter gear from around May.
Working out what yours is worth
- Fill it outdoors and leave it standing to check for leaks
- Confirm the filter, heater and light all work
Getting it ready
- Test the filter and heater are working before you list, and note the age of each.
- Fill the tank and leave it standing for a few hours to check the seals, then drain it. A seal leak found by the buyer at home is a very bad outcome.
Photograph
- The aquarium set up and running, whole, including the cabinet
- The silicone seals along the inside corners, close up
- The glass edges and base, plus any scratch, chip or limescale line
Put in the description
- Volume in litres and external dimensions including the cabinet
- Every piece of equipment included, named with model where known
- Age of the tank and the silicone, and whether the seals have been tested
Volume and completeness: “180L Aquarium with Cabinet, Filter, Heater and Lights”. Litres is the search term. Naming the filter model matters because external filters are expensive and buyers recognise the good ones. Say tropical, marine or coldwater if the setup is specific to one.
Steady year round, with a lift in autumn and January when people start indoor hobbies. Large complete setups with a cabinet sell within a fortnight; bare tanks are slower — see the fish tank guide if that is what you have.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$345 a buyer pays is the A$345 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in Australia
Australia is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of Australia with their own page for aquariums.
- Selling an aquarium in Sydney
- Selling an aquarium in Melbourne
- Selling an aquarium in Brisbane
- Selling an aquarium in Perth
- Selling an aquarium in Adelaide
- Selling an aquarium in Gold Coast
- Selling an aquarium in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell an aquarium in Australia?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Does it leak?
Fill it, leave it standing and report the result. Silicone perishes with age and this is the question every experienced fishkeeper asks first.
What is the most common aquarium fault?
Perished or lifted silicone seals. Run a fingernail along the seams — any lifting means it needs resealing before use.
Do complete setups sell better?
Much better. Beginners need filter, heater, light and stand all at once, and a complete tank saves them sourcing each part.
More: how to sell an aquarium, what aquariums are worth, or Pet Supplies across Australia.