Using Vaseline on stainless steel to prevent corrosion

[Mr. Brooks]

I use a heavy duty 1" float valve on my auto top off outlet as a backup to prevent flooding in the event of an auto top off failure. The float valve consists of a large plastic float ball, a stainless steel rod and the plastic valve. There is also a metal pin that holds a component of the plastic valve in place.

I noticed that the metal components were beginning to corode, so I cleaned them up and applied a coat of Vaseline to cover any exposed metal. Every time the auto top off pumps water into the tank, some of the water travels over the Vaseline coated metal.

I'm wondering if Vaseline is safe to use on a reef tank. The thought occurred to me that Vaseline is petrolium based, which has me concerned. I have some silicone grease, I was thinking that might be a safer way to go.

What do you think?

 

[jgraz]

I think you answered your own question

One you know is safe, the other your not sure. Both will accomplish the same thing

 

[Windy2]

I use a heavy duty 1" float valve on my auto top off outlet as a backup to prevent flooding in the event of an auto top off failure. The float valve consists of a large plastic float ball, a stainless steel rod and the plastic valve. There is also a metal pin that holds a component of the plastic valve in place.

I noticed that the metal components were beginning to corode, so I cleaned them up and applied a coat of Vaseline to cover any exposed metal. Every time the auto top off pumps water into the tank, some of the water travels over the Vaseline coated metal.

I'm wondering if Vaseline is safe to use on a reef tank. The thought occurred to me that Vaseline is petrolium based, which has me concerned. I have some silicone grease, I was thinking that might be a safer way to go.

What do you think?

You are looking at the wrong solution. Buy a plastic float valve from Kent for instance.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I need a 1" and a 1.5" float valve. I'm pumping water from a 300 gallon RO reservoir with a magflow pump for ATO and water changes. The magflow pump is necessary to push water up and out of the 8 foot tall RO reservoir. Water comes out quick so I really want to have the float valves there just in case. The all plastic valves I've found are too small.

 

[srope]

I suggest food grade silicone for your stainless instead of Vaseline.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Good call. Yea I cleaned off the Vaseline. I replaced the nut and bolt with a nylon set. Currently testing out a higher quality stainless steel cotter pin in a cup of saltwater to see if it rusts. Then all I have left is the rod that holds the float which I've coated in silicone grease.

 

[slief]

Ditch the big pump and float valve and get a Stenner pump and a pair of redundant float switches for your ATO and put your Apex to work. If you are hell bent on using a float valve get a smaller one and use that for a fail safe and use your Apex for the main ATO control. The Stenner is a much safer bet that will have no issues pulling from your tanks. The best thing about the Stenner is the slower flow along with the bullet proof design.

To answer your question.. Petroleum lubricants aren't ideal for use in our tanks and really aren't reef safe although it likely won't do any real harm. Its one thing to lubricate an o-ring seal with it (still not ideal) but it's another to have it continually exposed to flowing salt water.

 

[srope]

Keep in mind that stainless steel is still capable of staining just less than other steel.