Magnets

[moonlightdriver]

I was wondering if anyone has had any issues using hardware store magnets in their tanks

Any side effects?

So you have to use certain ones? Seal them at all?

 

[blackbeltmom]

Use the ceramic ones. There are threads on RC about them.
Most saltwater pumps that have magnetic shafts use ceramic magnets.

 

[Majikhammer]

90% of magnets have copper in them, or trace of them.
Copper+Fish tanks=Very bad, I've heard of people using silicone if the magnet is strong enough.(if using inside of the tank)
-Adam

 

[blackbeltmom]

90% of magnets have copper in them, or trace of them.
Copper+Fish tanks=Very bad, I've heard of people using silicone if the magnet is strong enough.(if using inside of the tank)
-Adam

I have been using the ceramic ones for years with no ill effects, my corals are thriving. Like I mentioned before these are the same magnets used in the impellers in your pumps and power heads. I researched this before I ever put them in my tank. I first began using them four years ago. Seems to me if ceramic magnets had copper in them, then they wouldn't be used in these pumps and power heads since they are submersed in the saltwater in your tank, would they?

Here are threads about ceramic magnets:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1777364

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

Eheim replacement impeller:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Eheim_Re...Aquarium_Pumps-Eheim-EH76392-FIWPEPRI-vi.html

 

[NirvanaFan]

Go ceramic or epoxy coated neodynium.

 

[tmz]

Ceramic magnets contain powdered iron oxide to enable the ceramic magnet to be magnetic. Iron is not considered a harmful heavy metal and should do no harm in small amounts and isn't likely to break free from the iron /ceramic compound.
Iron is also taken up quickly in reef tanks by algae and other organisms.

Other common magnets contain aliminum, nickel ,cobalt and iron . Nickel is toxic ;aluminum can be at certain levels. Not sure about cobalt. Some other elements are present in trace amounts, perhaps copper but I don't think it magnetize well enough to be included.
In genral the trhreat is from nickel and not copper. Many have had coated magnets leak out and harm corals and other invertebrates.

 

[ReefTeacher]

From what I know about permanent magnets (and most of my work is with induced fields) copper should only be present as a contaminant. Copper is only diamagnetic...it produces a very weak field that OPPOSES the surrounding field. Permanent magnets are made out of ferromagnetic metals like iron, that can permanent retain a field after an external one is removed.