Reef safe hardware

[goslugsgo]

What should I look for when buying hinges and fixtures for my stand and canopy? OSH has stainless steel hinges, which seem like the best option, but is there something better?

Also, OSH, carrier of nice things like gate valves and drill chucks (Brian!), is having a "no tax" sale this Sat and Sun. A great time to pick up some PVC, DIY parts and tools without chipping to the dude with the big house in Sac.

 

[dots]

Stainless would be the best best, but there are some cheap stainless hardware pieces that are low in the nickel I believe and still rust.......I can't remember if its the 316 or not off the top of my head. Brass is out of the question. Al corrodes, so other than a plastic type, just make sure the stainless is quality.

I think I myself will be looking for a baby wet dry for cleanup and desanding and water changes myself there this weekend.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Chris

I fought this battle with my last tank. It also had surge tanks. Unlike my current tank, the top of the tank was open inside the canopy. Salt spray got on everything inside the canopy.

I used brass fittings. Scary I know. There was no direct contact with water, just spray. I did spray paint the brass fittings with marine spar varnish. After five years some of the wood was ruined by direct contact water and salt creep. The brass fittings that only got salt spray on them they were only had a little rust on them. Still, I'd install the metal fittings so they can be replaced without tearing down the tank.

It seems like metal fittings, even stainless steal, that are continuously exposed to salt water will eventualy rust. It just takes a lot longer with stainless steal.

If you want to learn about stainless steal grades just go to a diving equipment manufacturer website. High quality stainless steal is graded as either 402 or 403. One is expensive the other is very expensive.

I have a diving knife made of the best grade stainless steal. It has been dipped and rinsed over a hundred times and has never rusted. However, the manufacturer, and other divers, warn that it will rust if I don't rinse it off after each dive.

 

[goslugsgo]

Thanks.
I think I'll buy a coule of sets of hinges and replace them once a year or as needed.
Maybe a coat of epoxy wouldn't be a bad idea. Just not on the hinge part.

 

[dots]

Brass has been historicly used in saltwater application, though I don't know how much the copper content would leach back into the system.....not a chance I would like to take myself.....I like to eliminate possible problems.

I agree with coating them (stainless)......perhaps install your hardware first if you plan on sealing the wood and give them a good coat as well.

That or design your hardware were its in dry covered places..