Stainless steel vs glass or plastic [Archive]

View Full Version : Stainless steel vs glass or plastic

MikeyBoy

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 11:45 AM

Friends,

I have a couple of AWESOME stainless steel containers at work that could be used a s sump, water mixer, RO/DI water holder etc.

These were used for food production in the past so they are clean and ready to go.

Any issue with Saltwater, Fish, Coral and stainless steel?

These tanks are incredible and I would love to use them on my new system,
They could add 300-400 gallons in an instant....all plumbing is there to use. It like all I would have to do is hook a hose up.

Please advise.

Mike

MikeyBoy

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 02:22 PM

Any concerns from anyone?

NaCl_H2O

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 02:25 PM

Mike, I think the name says it all Stainless, not Stainfree. The only metal I have heard of being used successfully in saltwater in Titanium. Even the slightest leaching of heavy metal from the stainless steel will absolutely turn your reef tank into sludge!

I wouldn't chance it! Maybe if you could somehow seal the inside with some type of plastic coating, but even then .. how do you know if the seal is perfect until things start dying?

Richard

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 03:18 PM

Funny timing. I just found a pair of surgical quality stainless steel tongs last night that I've been missing for several months. They were sitting right next to my sump the whole time and are now rusted.

I don't think it's a good idea to use stainless steel for a sump.

MikeyBoy

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 03:42 PM

What about just using it as a mixing vat for water changes? not storing any water in it?

don-n-sa

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 03:44 PM

The only thing metal that is near my set up is hose clamps for my returns and thats too much for me....saltwater + metal = corrosion

NaCl_H2O

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 07:33 PM

What about just using it as a mixing vat for water changes? not storing any water in it?

I wouldn't want to rinse them out and wipe them dry after each use? Even a little saltwater left in the bottom would cause corrosion.

Do a test, put a quart or two of 1.024 salinity water in one and wait 1-2 weeks to see what happens?

Instar

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 07:41 PM

Forget the stainless steel. That + salt water is a superconductor and all things that have contact with any salt creep at all will get ruined by electrolysis. You can not see salt creep, aerosols and so on that do the damage. In addition to that, over time, you would get metals built up in the tank as they leach out of your stainless. The stainless will let go of some things like chromium, I believe it is and it only tanks an extremely small amount of that, tin and aluminum to kill everything you would ever have. You're going to spend thousands on a system and inhabitants, why not spend $80 for a rubbermaid sump thats 150 gallons or so? That would be $80 dollars well spent IMO and nothing more than a miniscule % of the total cost of setup.

NaCl_H2O

Mon, 29th Nov 2004, 09:37 PM

Larry is 100% right, invest in some nice plastic containers.

This (http://www.usplastic.com) is a good source for plastic containers of all sizes & shapes! This is where I got my 55g plastic drums for my system.

MikeyBoy

Tue, 30th Nov 2004, 01:17 AM

NaCl_H2O

Tue, 30th Nov 2004, 01:24 AM

okay okay okay.....It was just an idea. Those tanks were really nice and from a plumbing standpoint would have been a dream.
Thats the beauty of having you experts.
You can tell me when I am going down a trail I need to stay away from.
I will move forward in the other direction.

Thanks for all the great advice. You guys have been very nice and helpfull to me over the last few days and I appreciate it very much.

Regards,
Mike

That's what it is all about! And believe it or not, we ENJOY giving our advice! Remember, there are no "Experts" in this hobby, just a bunch of fanatics that think they have learned a few things!

Take all the advice in and make your own decisions ... I mean mistakes :-D

That said - DON'T USE THE METAL DRUMS :-D :-D