Galvanized steel around salt water.... ????

[Jeff000]

How well does galvanized hold up around salt water, it will be close, like 5" from the water. I was thinking about painting it with an enamel first too.
Should this hold up? shouldn't cause any issues right?

 

[Dapg8gt]

As Long as you seal it good it should be good to go. To paint it you need to etch it first. I used a product called galvawash for my gutters but I've heard vinegar works also. I do know it's not good if you get the chemical on your skin for periods of time so I would guess any contact with the water would be a no no. (prob stating the obvious LOl)

I was reading a thread where a super large reef tank had his fixtures made of it an they were completely rusted out in I think about a year but it was outside FWIW..

 

[Carlwilliams]

Even that far away from the water they will rust. I had some galvanized hangers rust out on me within a couple of months, if you can go with plastic. Even Stainless Steel hose clamps will rust in no time.

 

[Jeff000]

Even that far away from the water they will rust. I had some galvanized hangers rust out on me within a couple of months, if you can go with plastic. Even Stainless Steel hose clamps will rust in no time.

I'm building a rail around the top of my tank supported by the ceiling, so when I am working on my tank I am not putting lateral stress on the tank.

32" tall tank that has the top almost at 6' above the floor.

I'll post pictures after it's built. Most of it is aluminium, but some of the connecting pieces are galvanized.

Maybe I will do more of a bedliner type coating on it?

 

[Capttully]

Should i change out those stainless steel hose clamps i just put on my return pump???

 

[disc1]

Should i change out those stainless steel hose clamps i just put on my return pump???

Yes. Get plastic ones. The SS will rust and could release some nasty metal ions into your water.

 

[disc1]

The worst part about galvanized is the zinc. If it is close enough to the water that any of the corrosion can get into the water then you run the risk of poisoning the tank. Don't use galvanized anywhere you wouldn't use copper.

 

[Jeff000]

The worst part about galvanized is the zinc. If it is close enough to the water that any of the corrosion can get into the water then you run the risk of poisoning the tank. Don't use galvanized anywhere you wouldn't use copper.

I'd use copper no problem anywhere that isn't in contact with the water. Copper doesn't shed....