Any time a person decides to buy something the first inclination is to ask the question, “Can I buy a used one cheaper?” It happens with cars all the time and with all the uncertainty and stress that comes with that decision.

Buying a used semen tank is much the same as buying a used car. If you know what to look for, and what to avoid, you can luck into a great deal. On the other hand, the whole experience could turn into a nightmare scenario.

I’ve been buying and selling new and used semen tanks for over 30 years. I’ve found great deals, as well as wasted money on semen tanks that should have been scrapped years before. Here’s my personal guide to buying a used semen tank.

What is the price?

Saving money is the main reason for purchasing used over new so there is no point in buying a used semen tank if you can get a new one for the same price or less. There are a few exceptions to the rule but if a used brand name semen tank is the same price as a new one of the same model, why would you even consider it.

I typically cut off consideration of buying a used tank at 60% of current new value. Anything above this amount makes no sense as the risk far outweighs the benefits of the small savings. Under 40% of current new price is considered a bargain and worth checking out but, beware of off brand units that typically have issue within just a few years.

Also, think about what you are going to store in the tank. If you are buying semen at $5 per straw that is easily replaced, a used semen tank will probably be fine. If you are storing embryos worth $1500 each from a deceased donor, you might want to think twice about the risk you are taking in buying a used tank.  

Does the tank fit your needs?

A great deal on a tank doesn’t always mean a great deal for you if the application is not a fit for what you need. If you intend to move the tank to and from the barn where you AI, or take it to pick up purchased semen, a large tank may be more expensive than you think.

Typically, large tanks are found at great deals because they are harder to carry due to bulk and weight. Obviously a 47-liter tank is much heavier than a 20-liter semen tank, so it might take 2 people to move it safely.

On the other side of the coin, a 10-liter tank might seem like a perfect size for moving around but it’s hold time may be well short of what you need to store semen long term. There are few things less irritating that a storage tank that must be filled every month. On the other hand, a small tank may be perfect if you have a large tank for storage and a small one to get the semen to your breeding area.

Finding a used semen tank that fits perfectly would be great but is not always possible. I rarely buy anything that doesn’t fit at least 75% of my criteria for use. For example, I need to move semen from my main 38-liter tank and a 10 liter would be perfect for this. I find a 20-liter tank for 25% of the cost of a new one. The 20-liter is much smaller than the main tank and easier to move around but obviously it is bigger than a 10-liter. The price is right though, and the tank will work, although not as well as a 10-liter. I would consider this around a 75% fit and a good trade off.  

Large or small, make sure the tank fits as closely as possible and avoid buying something that doesn’t work for your application.

Who is selling it?

If you are searching classified ads on the web, the chances of getting a good deal drop dramatically. There are more than a few people that are willing to deceive you for a few dollars and finding a legitimate seller is key to getting a good deal.

The reason I mention this is because there are auctions that sell semen tanks across the country. They are usually mixed in with lots of other items, and the buyer takes everything as a package deal at what he feels is a reasonable price. The problem is, he may not have a clue what the tank is, and therefore has no history on it at all.

There are many times I have purchased used tanks from sellers that not only did not know the value of the tank, even worse, they didn’t even know that it was designed to hold liquid nitrogen. These tanks are obviously not tested in any way and the sales are final.

On the other hand, if your long-time neighbor is retiring and has a tank that is full of semen, you would be less hesitant to trust that the tank is in good working order.

What is the physical condition of the tank?

When I go to check out a semen tank, the first thing I do is check the exterior. If I see a lot of sharp dings or missing paint, I immediately consider this a red flag. Exterior dings could mean it sat in a place that allowed it to have random stuff banged into it. Not a good thing.

Next, I check to make sure all the canisters are there and if there is anything inside them. If there are old canes and straws in a dry tank, it’s definitely a concern.

If the vacuum port cover is missing from the tank it may be an issue. Semen tanks sit around unmonitored for long periods of time and a curious child might unknowingly release the vacuum from the tank. Conversely, these covers fall off quite easily and there may be no issue at all.

If the tank is empty, check the bottom. If it’s scarred up from being dragged across a concrete floor it might give you a good idea of how the tank was treated.

How old is the tank?

The older a semen tank, the more likely it is to have issues. Currently, the consensus is 10 years as a point to consider replacement. I tend to agree with this even though I have tanks that are closer to 30 years old in my inventory.

Older tanks can be used if you know how to handle, or not handle, them. Tanks that are stationary, this includes filling with nitrogen, are more likely to last longer.

Is it a brand name tank?

There are quite a few semen tank manufacturers, but the 2 leading ones are MVE and Worthington (Taylor Wharton). Both manufacturers have been around for a long time and are well known for their quality and reputation. Any tank produced by these companies I would consider above others in the industry.

In my experience. most of the off brands have multiple issues. Tanks from other countries have a reputation for poor workmanship and high failure rates. I do know several people that have used off brand tanks for years with no problem, but I don’t consider it worth the risk with my inventory to use these tanks.

Where is the tank located?

One of the most challenging issues is getting a good deal on a semen tank locally. With internet access it is easy to go online and search the world but that might create problems of its own.

A used tank in perfect condition that must be shipped might get banged around so much that it arrives in a very different state. If the box is turned upside down and bounced around in the back of a delivery truck, the chances are good that it will arrive with a broken neck tube. Even new semen tanks are not always able to withstand the total disregard for how they are handled on the way to their destination.

Used tanks are much more susceptible to damage because as they age, the fiberglass neck tube weakens. Add a weakened neck to an uncaring shipping agent and you’ve lost your tank with nothing but an insurance claim or scrap aluminum to show for it.

Is the tank currently in use?

Tanks that are in use are always much more desirable. An empty tank that has been sitting around and is untested is a huge gamble.

Tanks with nitrogen and semen in them give a level of assurance that the tank is in good condition. These tanks are usually purchased at a premium and I have run across a few that were priced higher than a new tank.

One issue with getting a good working tank is the owner wants to sell the tank with the semen inventory in it. Unless you have the same breed, and taste of the current tank owner, the price is probably going to be more than most people are willing to pay.

One mistake I see when buying a tank with inventory is the assumption that they can sell the semen and make a profit. Unless you already have a buyer for the semen, my suggestion is not to make this miscalculation. I speak from experience. More than one experience.

Used Tank Buyer's Guide Table

Below is a table to help decide if a used tank is a good buy or should be avoided.

Using the table will give a reasonable starting point to help determine if a tank is worth the risk. Add the score for each category and total them. A total score of 5 or more would prompt me to consider purchasing a tank. The higher above 5 the score, the less the risk and the better the deal.

As an example, I recently purchased a 20-liter brand name semen tank for about 50% of what a new one would cost. It was located only 30 miles away and I knew the owner and had filled the tank for years with no issue. The exterior was excellent for a 11-year-old tank and he had just sold his entire semen inventory , leaving the nitrogen in it.

The customer I was purchasing the tank for was getting into breeding cattle and needed a tank to store semen and work from. It was the perfect size and fit exactly for his application. Based on the table above I scored the tank like this…

Price +1
Application fit +1
Age -1
Brand Name +1
Location +2
Condition +1
Owner +2
Current Service +3

Total: 10

With a total score of 10, I considered this a great deal and purchased it for my customer who is very happy with the outcome.  How often does this type of deal materialize? In my local area I see a tank for sale with a score this good about twice per year. 

Final Thoughts

Before you purchase a used tank be sure to consider the semen that will be stored in it. Just a few straws at $20 each will add up over a few years and soon you will have a total investment of thousands of dollars in inventory.

If you have the time to look, and the patience to wait for a tank that fits your needs, there are some great used semen tank deals out there.