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View Full Version : Is stainless steel reef-safe?

tony098
05/19/2006, 07:07 PM
Are stainless steel hose clamps safe for saltwater? Thanks
LobsterOfJustice
05/19/2006, 07:16 PM
They will rust badly if submerged. They are okay for temporary use underwater but for long term permanent use you should use them above water, or use plastic clamps underwater.
xtrstangx
05/19/2006, 07:29 PM
If it is Stainless Steel 316, then it will not.

But I'm 99.9% sure that it is not 316.

They are Ok for temporary. They will resist corrosion and rust.. I like plastic clamps. You can take a pair of pliers and squeeze them down really tight.
Brewen
05/19/2006, 07:30 PM
If you can find a 316 grade ss might be Alright. Be on the safe side use plastic.
Her Johnny
05/19/2006, 08:44 PM
Even 316 SS will rust.

Any kind of stainless steel will rust in saltwater. Period.
Saltz Creep
05/19/2006, 08:54 PM
I've been dumping old tank water from my nano at work into the stainless steel sink and not rinsing the sink with freshwater. Now the sink is starting to rust badly. It's OK, I'll be leaving there hopefully soon, and it so the rusting ss sink will be my legacy
AZDesertRat
05/19/2006, 09:37 PM
Only titanium will hold up to salt water. Use nylon or plastic clamps.
wahwoo
05/19/2006, 09:59 PM
Gold wont corrode in saltwater. Although its very soft.

Just thought it was a reasonable contribution since we spend so much on our tanks. Titanium was mentioned. Why not use some gold?

How about gold plated Hermit shells or power heads? We havent seen that yet!!! (':eek1:')
xtrstangx
05/19/2006, 10:09 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7401344#post7401344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Her Johnny
Even 316 SS will rust.

Do you have any proof to back that up?

I've heard from many sources, including engineers and others who work with stainless steel for a living, say that 316 SS and Titanium are the only metals good in SW.
HippieSmell
05/19/2006, 10:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7401746#post7401746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wahwoo
Gold wont corrode in saltwater. Although its very soft.

Just thought it was a reasonable contribution since we spend so much on our tanks. Titanium was mentioned. Why not use some gold?

How about gold plated Hermit shells or power heads? We havent seen that yet!!! (':eek1:')
Heck yeah! I'm puttin' some spinners on my tunze and instead of a wavebox I'm putting hydrolics on my stand. I be big pimpin'. Haha.

As far as stainless goes, magdrives use stainless screws. I don't know if it's 316, but 316 should rust so slowly that it won't matter.
AZDesertRat
05/19/2006, 10:15 PM
Yes I have direct proof. On my old 90G tank the glass center brace came loose so I had my son in law who runs a specialty metal fabrication shop shear a piece of 316 SS and bend lips on it so it fit on top of the tank and kept it from bowing out. After about a year I had to remove it , buff it and clear coat it every 6 months or so to keep the rust off. It is rust resistant but not rust proof. This was a quality piece of highly polished metal used in clean rooms and medical facilities and not just a common piece of sheet goods.
Sk8r
05/19/2006, 10:17 PM
The plastic hose clamps can be found with lawn sprinkler systems in the hardware chains.