Hose Clamps - OK sitting in the SW?

[Playdope]

Is it alright if the hose clamp pictured is constantly sitting in my SW storage container? I know brass will release copper, but I'm not sure whether this is because it is silver in color.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

No. Stainless steel will rust. There are plastic hose clamps.

 

[Anonymous]

Most steel clamps are zinc-coated steel, not stainless steel. But if you look at the stamped label, it may says it is stainless.

At any rate, as Matt said, regular stainless rusts, unless you specifically get the marine-grade stainless steel (SS318 instead of ss316 :?).

Nylon hose clamp will do the same job with peace of mind.

 

[GSchiemer]

Unless the clamps are 316SS, which is doubtful, they will corrode in a short time. BTW, that Rio pump is probably more dangerous than the clamps, but you didn't ask about that.

Greg

 

[Playdope]

It's a Pet Supply Liquidator pump. Why is it dangerous?

 

[GSchiemer]

"Pet Supply Liquidator" is a vendor not a pump manufacturer. Rio or Taam are the brand and manufacturer. Do a search under "rio pumps" and you'll find many stories of these pumps and tank disasters. I had three burn out on me. Only one resulted in a small tank disaster. Luckily I caught one shortly after it "fried" and the other was in a bucket of make-up water at the time it burned.

Greg

 

[FranklinP]

FWIW, My clamp bands are ok, but the screw has rusted very badly. I agree with the plastic clamp idea.

 

[Playdope]

Greg,

I'm just using the Rio periodically to pump new SW into the display tank when I do a water change. It's not constantly running or anything.

 

[GSchiemer]

Greg,

I'm just using the Rio periodically to pump new SW into the display tank when I do a water change. It's not constantly running or anything.

It's less dangerous in that situation, but that's exactly how one of mine burned out. Luckily I looked in the barrel before I pumped the polluted water into my tank. I did have to dispose of 50 gallons of saltwater though, and that cost more than the pump.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

They rust

I deal with it by ignoring the rust

 

[Expos Forever]

I have gone over a year with "stainless" hose clamps. As mentioned, the screw rusted badly, quickly. There seemed to be no ill effects, but I still wouldn't recommend it...

 

[LCGoldman]

Go with the plastic (nylon?) ones... I've been using them, and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[chockablock]

as long as its stainless steel, a little rust never hurt anything. If anyone tells you different, remind them how many reefs you see growing off rusted old shipwrecks.

 

[LCGoldman]

In my humble opinion, two things to consider:

(1) rust means the metal is burning (albeit slowly) -- but, that implies it's also weakening

(2) the ocean is a lot bigger than our fish tanks (at least mine)

 

[Tackett]

get some cable ties, the plastic deals that click and tigten as you pull on the tag end. Get the bigger heavy duty ones for coax or something like that and tighten a few down on there. Been using them for years with no breaks yet.

 

[Anonymous]

as long as its stainless steel, a little rust never hurt anything. If anyone tells you different, remind them how many reefs you see growing off rusted old shipwrecks.

:roll:

 

[Anonymous]

Instead of repair my leaky septic tank, I am going to use my 60 gal reef tank instead. I bet my corals going to like the wave action whenever I flush my toilet.

We dump all kind of sewage to the ocean, so I am sure it will be great idea... keep you all posted...

 

[LCGoldman]

Post Pics

Instead of repair my leaky septic tank, I am going to use my 60 gal reef tank instead. I bet my corals going to like the wave action whenever I flush my toilet.

We dump all kind of sewage to the ocean, so I am sure it will be great idea... keep you all posted...