SS tanks are really indestructable, so it really is worth your while to look for them second hand at a fraction of the new price. If the lids are missing, all the better, because they will be cheaper, and you can get new plastic lids (better than metal lids, in my opinion) for them. Kindermann lids usually fill and dump fastest. Used SS tanks have gotten so cheap, I've built a collection of sizes from 1 35mm reel to 12, so I always have the right size tank.
Reels, though, you should buy new, at least until you get the hang of loading them and can recognize bad ones. Hewes reels are the best new reels.