Metal In Reef Tank???

[meitzler]

A screw with washer from one of my metal halides fell into my reef tank. I was able to locate the screw but not the washing. I know that metal is not good and will corrode quickly. Do I need to panic and tear the tank apart. Or is this not a significant problem There is considerable rock work in the tank, so it will be a mess. Thoughts!!!!!

 

[OmarD]

A screw with washer from one of my metal halides fell into my reef tank. I was able to locate the screw but not the washing. I know that metal is not good and will corrode quickly. Do I need to panic and tear the tank apart. Or is this not a significant problem There is considerable rock work in the tank, so it will be a mess. Thoughts!!!!!

Pray to God that it is not a brass washer...that would present a large problem.

 

[meitzler]

I know that it is not brass, since I have another metal halide light just like the one that dropped in. It came off a 400W HQI pendant that had a paint powder coat, but I am sure there were scratches inevitably on it. I suspect that is was either steel or aluminum.

 

[burning2nd]

well..... i would start takeing it apart.... get it outta ther... ither way aluminum or carbon steeel.. its gonna corrod unless it was treating with zinc.... (more then likely not)


im not sure it rust will hurt your tank..

 

[fly guy]

i found this last week.......

In searching around fairly extensively I cant find anything that says it is the end of the world or even all that harmful, but it sure as heck cant be good IMO. This SP4 pump (Euroreef modded Gen x 4100) was only 5 months old, and the only reason I even took the back cover off is rusty water poured out of it when I lifted the pump out of the sump for routine maintenance.

Id get it out if I were you though just becasue. You may be able to save yourself some serious digging and reaquascaping by simply getting one of those really strong telescoping magnets used to pick up screws from tight places and run it around in your sand and between your rocks. You can pick them up for pretty cheap and they are good to have around anyway. That wont of course help if its aluminum

 

[meitzler]

I finally found the washer. It was in for about three days. Cann't tell any adverse effects at this time except rust on the screw. Thanks so much for the information.

 

[burning2nd]

wow....

i remember way back in the day someone told me to replace the 4 screws on my mag for the return..... I didnt... didnt hurt tho... if anything now the 4 screws are red coverd by corraline

 

[Rod Buehler]

I wouldnt add any metal to the tank on purpose, but I also wouldnt worry about a small washer. A little iron is good for the macro algaes , and once it rusts, it could be considered ferric oxide