Can I use Ceramic Magnets inside the tank?

[BriggsReef]

I'm trying to find what to use for a frag rack as far as what magnets... Some say use any old home depot Ceramic magnets. Other say to use a rubber coated magnet...

The cheapest is the packs of Ceramic magnets from home depot...

Anyone see a reason i shouldn't be using these?

 

[GratefulReef]

I was wondering the same thing, hopefully someone knows.

 

[kegogut]

This would be useful to know.

 

[buk]

i'm tagging along too...i have heard in the past that you shouldn't use them but i haven't found out why

 

[BeanAnimal]

Folks.... a "ceramic" is magnet is composed of hard ferrite compounds (iron oxides) and carbonates. They are not saltwater suitable, as they are in essence iron

 

[buk]

good to know...thanks bean!

 

[Chemguy85]

Bean would the rubber coated magnets work?

 

[surgy]

what about the neodymium mags? aka "little silver super strong magnets"

 

[blackbeltmom]

Actually there are several threads on several different forums saying it is safe to use ceramic magnets. I have been using them for years with no ill effects.

If you look, you will find that many pieces of saltwater equipment use ceramic magnets, for example the impellers in the Eheim pumps are ceramic.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2026232

http://www.*********.com/forums/equ...6828-ceramic-magnets-saltwater-emerrsion.html


If you use Neodymium magnets, you need to coat them very well.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Actually there are several threads on several different forums saying it is safe to use ceramic magnets. I have been using them for years with no ill effects.

If you look, you will find that many pieces of saltwater equipment use ceramic magnets, for example the impellers in the Eheim pumps are ceramic.

"ceramic magnet" is a very generic term used to describe any number of compounds used to create a magnet. There are certainly some compounds that are "salt water safe", but many that are not. Just buying a "ceramic magnet" does not guarantee that it is going to be safe. To that end, you will find that even some of the pumps and other products sold to this hobby over the years have not been "reef safe".

 

[mfinn]

Folks.... a "ceramic" is magnet is composed of hard ferrite compounds (iron oxides) and carbonates. They are not saltwater suitable, as they are in essence iron

I have a couple Home Depot ceramic magnets that have been in saltwater continuously for 6 years and show no signs of rust or corroding.

I also found some ceramic magnets at a store that is local to me ( Tacoma Screw kind of a hardware store) that have been in saltwater for 4-5 years with the same results.

Not trying to challenge your info, but I haven't seen any so called ceramic magnets that didn't seem saltwater safe.

 

[mfinn]

"ceramic magnet" is a very generic term used to describe any number of compounds used to create a magnet. There are certainly some compounds that are "salt water safe", but many that are not. Just buying a "ceramic magnet" does not guarantee that it is going to be safe. To that end, you will find that even some of the pumps and other products sold to this hobby over the years have not been "reef safe".

Any tips for people to look for when trying to pick a ceramic magnet that will be safe?
I guess I have been lucky.

 

[mfinn]

what about the neodymium mags? aka "little silver super strong magnets"

Most neodymium magnets that I have used are Nickel-Copper-Nickel triple layered and will corrode/rust pretty fast. Even the epoxy coated ones will rust.
There are a couple websites selling rubber coated neodymium magnets, but I didn't try them.

 

[SantaMonica]

Just coat it with silicone. Or use a thin plastic plate on one side (attachment side) and silicone on the other.

 

[chriscobb]

Why would epoxy coated magnets rust??

 

[Rogue sub]

Amazing magnets has strong magnets coated it PVC.

 

[mfinn]

Why would epoxy coated magnets rust??

I made a bunch of frag racks for myself and friends and I used the epoxy coated ones for the outside magnet ( need inside and outside magnets).
They did eventually start rusting.

 

[SantaMonica]

Probably has micro holes in the epoxy. We use black epoxy coating, and seal it in black silicone.

 

[mfinn]

Probably has micro holes in the epoxy. We use black epoxy coating, and seal it in black silicone.

Yeah or scratches from handling.
The inside magnets were incased in casting resin and there were no problems with them.

 

[conix67]

https://www.magnetexpert.com/technical-advice-i685/corrosion-resistance-in-permanent-magnets-i684

old thread but I was interested in this topic. Looks like ceramic magnets are reef safe as they do not corrode.