Stainless Steel in Tank

webbstock · 01/26/2007, 08:34 PM

Is stainless steel safe in contact with the tank water? I have a small U bolt that is partially submerged in the tank water. I know that SS is supposed to be non-reactive and that surgical grade stainless is obviously safe in the human body (i.e. implants). I just want to know if anyone has any info about the SS leaching chromium into the tank.

Thanks

lpkirby · 01/26/2007, 10:54 PM

good question, I would think eventually something or somewhere it would start to rust.. The reason is that I say that is I was told to use plastic hose clamps not Stainless because it would rust one day.. I had SS clamps for almost 2 years with no problems..

graveyardworm · 01/26/2007, 11:54 PM

I would be concerned that the stainless may contain some impurities that may be bad for the tank.

That being said I dont think alittle bit is going to hurt. The shafts on rio pumps actually rust, atleast mine have. Not sure what the metal shafts used in other pumps are made from but its probably no better than stainless. In athread I read a while back where metal in reef tanks was discussed, it was mentioned that the only truly noncorrosive metal safe for salt water was some titanium alloy ( cant remember the exact name).

reefkoi · 01/27/2007, 08:56 AM

The deal with stainless is if its fully submerged or fully out of the water it will be fine. Now if its half under water and half out it will start to corrode!

tug13 · 01/27/2007, 09:00 AM

There is also different grades of ss, and some grades can rust

Dubbin1 · 01/27/2007, 11:52 AM

That U-bolt is going to be a very low grade of SS. I would get it out of the water. BTW what is this U-bolt for?

01/26/2007, 08:34 PM	#1
webbstock Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Washington DC area Posts: 436	Stainless Steel in Tank Is stainless steel safe in contact with the tank water? I have a small U bolt that is partially submerged in the tank water. I know that SS is supposed to be non-reactive and that surgical grade stainless is obviously safe in the human body (i.e. implants). I just want to know if anyone has any info about the SS leaching chromium into the tank. Thanks

01/26/2007, 11:54 PM	#3
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	I would be concerned that the stainless may contain some impurities that may be bad for the tank. That being said I dont think alittle bit is going to hurt. The shafts on rio pumps actually rust, atleast mine have. Not sure what the metal shafts used in other pumps are made from but its probably no better than stainless. In athread I read a while back where metal in reef tanks was discussed, it was mentioned that the only truly noncorrosive metal safe for salt water was some titanium alloy ( cant remember the exact name). __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

01/27/2007, 08:56 AM	#4
reefkoi Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,983	The deal with stainless is if its fully submerged or fully out of the water it will be fine. Now if its half under water and half out it will start to corrode! __________________ 1Kw bulb club Current Tank Info: A 600gal. on Zeovit & a 240gal.

01/26/2007, 10:54 PM	#2
lpkirby Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hempstead, TX Posts: 701	good question, I would think eventually something or somewhere it would start to rust.. The reason is that I say that is I was told to use plastic hose clamps not Stainless because it would rust one day.. I had SS clamps for almost 2 years with no problems..

01/27/2007, 09:00 AM	#5
tug13 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 30	There is also different grades of ss, and some grades can rust

01/27/2007, 11:52 AM	#6
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	That U-bolt is going to be a very low grade of SS. I would get it out of the water. BTW what is this U-bolt for?