Stainless Steel in Tank

[webbstock]

Is stainless steel safe in contact with the tank water? I have a small U bolt that is partially submerged in the tank water. I know that SS is supposed to be non-reactive and that surgical grade stainless is obviously safe in the human body (i.e. implants). I just want to know if anyone has any info about the SS leaching chromium into the tank.

Thanks

 

[lpkirby]

good question, I would think eventually something or somewhere it would start to rust.. The reason is that I say that is I was told to use plastic hose clamps not Stainless because it would rust one day.. I had SS clamps for almost 2 years with no problems..

 

[graveyardworm]

I would be concerned that the stainless may contain some impurities that may be bad for the tank.

That being said I dont think alittle bit is going to hurt. The shafts on rio pumps actually rust, atleast mine have. Not sure what the metal shafts used in other pumps are made from but its probably no better than stainless. In athread I read a while back where metal in reef tanks was discussed, it was mentioned that the only truly noncorrosive metal safe for salt water was some titanium alloy ( cant remember the exact name).

 

[reefkoi]

The deal with stainless is if its fully submerged or fully out of the water it will be fine. Now if its half under water and half out it will start to corrode!

 

[tug13]

There is also different grades of ss, and some grades can rust

 

[Dubbin1]

That U-bolt is going to be a very low grade of SS. I would get it out of the water. BTW what is this U-bolt for?