Rust in tank from powerhead magnet?

steallife904 · 03/01/2017, 09:35 AM

Over the last few months I have had some issues with the tank that have caused me to lose a number of corals... some colony's I have had for 10 years. Part 1 of the issues was overdosing ALK back in October. Also had a baby in October so I slacked on the tank for a bit. I have gotten all my levels as far as calc and alk and mag back to where I kept them in the past but still have some issue. I got a few tester corals (acro, couple montis) and all but one slowly bleached and died. Trying to run through different things to see what my issue is I noticed while cleaning one of my powerheads that on the wet side magnet there was rust coming through, about the diameter of a pencil eraser.... Could this be part of the issue??? I have contacted the company and they will send me a new magnet but just wondering if this hurt anything.

Just some info- Salinity 1.026 with refractometer, mag 1450, calc 480, alk 8.2, nitrate 0, ammonia 0, phosphate 0. Run LEDs and t5s, feed somewhat heavy once a day with Rods or Larrys frozen and some pellets mixed in. Have a doser that doses calc alk and mag. I also add about 5mml 2x a week of ammino acids (acro power and reef fuel).

ca1ore · 03/01/2017, 10:25 AM

I think it's unlikely. May want to run a polyfilter just in case. Figure anyone running GFO has 'rust' in their tanks

mcgyvr · 03/01/2017, 11:25 AM

I agree..
More than likely not an issue..
There was a thread on here about a TLF magnet clip rusting issues and many believed thats the only reason their tank/corals gave up the ghost.. But that is just speculation..

I just noticed my cheapo (top fin crap) cleaner magnet was exposed/rusting.. No problems in the tank from what I could tell.. All corals were doing fine.. Its probably been like that for weeks to months.. (But I replaced it just in case with a new mag-float)..

kurt_n · 03/01/2017, 09:54 PM

I've had multiple issues of magnetic clips I use inside the tank swelling and "leaking" into the tank before I've noticed it. I've never had any issues with tank health.

03/01/2017, 09:35 AM	#1
steallife904 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 944	Rust in tank from powerhead magnet? Over the last few months I have had some issues with the tank that have caused me to lose a number of corals... some colony's I have had for 10 years. Part 1 of the issues was overdosing ALK back in October. Also had a baby in October so I slacked on the tank for a bit. I have gotten all my levels as far as calc and alk and mag back to where I kept them in the past but still have some issue. I got a few tester corals (acro, couple montis) and all but one slowly bleached and died. Trying to run through different things to see what my issue is I noticed while cleaning one of my powerheads that on the wet side magnet there was rust coming through, about the diameter of a pencil eraser.... Could this be part of the issue??? I have contacted the company and they will send me a new magnet but just wondering if this hurt anything. Just some info- Salinity 1.026 with refractometer, mag 1450, calc 480, alk 8.2, nitrate 0, ammonia 0, phosphate 0. Run LEDs and t5s, feed somewhat heavy once a day with Rods or Larrys frozen and some pellets mixed in. Have a doser that doses calc alk and mag. I also add about 5mml 2x a week of ammino acids (acro power and reef fuel).

03/01/2017, 10:25 AM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think it's unlikely. May want to run a polyfilter just in case. Figure anyone running GFO has 'rust' in their tanks __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/01/2017, 11:25 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I agree.. More than likely not an issue.. There was a thread on here about a TLF magnet clip rusting issues and many believed thats the only reason their tank/corals gave up the ghost.. But that is just speculation.. I just noticed my cheapo (top fin crap) cleaner magnet was exposed/rusting.. No problems in the tank from what I could tell.. All corals were doing fine.. Its probably been like that for weeks to months.. (But I replaced it just in case with a new mag-float).. __________________ Who me?

03/01/2017, 09:54 PM	#4
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	I've had multiple issues of magnetic clips I use inside the tank swelling and "leaking" into the tank before I've noticed it. I've never had any issues with tank health.