Stainless Steel hose clamps

[jroescher]

Are stainless steel hose clamps like the kind you get at the auto parts store safe to use if they are in the water?

I need to clamp a hose that is submerged and the plastic clamps don't fit when the hose is on a schedule 80 fitting.

[dwdenny]

if all the parts are stainless then it might be. I know that boat maufctures use some stainless or saltwater environments but not sure if the stuff you get at HD or Lowes will work. At least this a free bump.

[cpreefguy]

i have seen stainless clamps in water before, didnt seem to be hurting anything, but Im not 100% sure

[captexas]

I would find another method to clamp the hose rather than putting metal in the tank. Stainless steel is not rust proof, it just takes longer to rust than regular steel. There are different grades/qualities of stainless of course and what you find at a hardware store is not that great. I've had a few start rusting/corroding just from the saltwater moisture in the air around a tank. You might look around online and find one made for use on boats or something like that for constant contact with saltwater.

[cpreefguy]

+1
I would try and zip-tie it

[jroescher]

I think I'll try using silicon in the joint and a heavy zip tie. It's where the tubing fits over a hose barb but it's right at the water line in the sump. When the water drops below the full line, microbubbles. Raise the water 1/4 inch and the bubbles go away.

[Bill S]

If you decide to use a ss hose clamp, ONLY BUY THEM FROM A MARINE STORE. The ss clamps from hardware and automotive stores have plated steel screws that will quickly rust in salt water. As noted above, stainless steel WILL rust. Just a lot slower than mild steel.