rust in a reef tank
 

i just noticed that the screw on the handle of my gatevalve on my skimmer is rusting.

just how bad is this?

Very!

It's just iron, isn't it? That doesn't sound deadly to me.

isn't Phosban ferric oxide?

I have a few hose clamps rusting away submerged in each of my two sumps. I've never been concerned. Been one year now.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/s...d.php?t=133096

It will probably only leach a little rust into your tank but why risk it IMO.

I would clean off the rust & add a light coat of silicone or something over it to keep it from rusting in the future.

I'm just not a big fan of letting things like rust get into my system if I can help it. It may not hurt anything, but then again it may. JMHO.

Anthony

Now you don't need to add iron to your reef as a trace element.:wink:

i'll try cleaning it off a bit and siliconing it a bit.. i wasent too worried about it, but once in a while i get worried about insignificant stuff. just wanted to see what everyones opinions were on it. thanks.

silcone wont prevent it. Depends on the system size. Larger system less of a worry. If anything rusts in my 120 I wouldnt be concerned

I agree with Anthony. Why take a chance when you can easily fixthe problem.

Tom R