Metal in reef

I can not think of what their called at the moment but would it be ok to have a metal o-ring in my reef tank to hold a plastic tube to a return pump? If its not, thats a problem but im sorry i couldnt have a picture and i forget what their called but if you know what im talking about please respond...

thanks,
ryan

 

Are you talking about one of these retaining straps?



The hardware store that sells them by me offers them in 2 grades. "Boat grade" and stainless. The difference is while both contain stainless steel straps, the boat grade contains a stainless screw, too.

With reef tanks, I'd use one above the water line, but never under water. That's just me, though. The screws on many submersible pumps are stainless steel, but that's just 4 screw heads exposed to water.

Generally speaking, any metal IN water is inadvisable in salt water, and more so in reef applications.

Maybe some others will chime in with different opinions.

 

yes! thanks for the picture, thats them. If i cant use those, how do you recommend i strap a plastic flexible tube to a return pump?

 

i have on my skimmer pump and it is rusting away as we speak...maybe time to go with one of those plastic ones

 

Use Plastic clamps. Aquarium Plumbing: Plastic Clamps

 

I recommend you use the fire and ice trick. First, make sure the interior diameter of the tubing is correct for the application. Then, take a pyrex measuring cup and heat to boiling about a cup of water. Soak the tubing in that water for 30 seconds. Then apply to the hose barb of the return pump. After that, douse the whole thing in ice water for a minute, and you should be fine.

I've been using this little trick for nearly 20 years, and I've never had a hose blow.

Again, the tubing must be the proper ID for the barb.

 

How about a plastic tie-straps?
Oh and about the stainless steel hose clamps..I'm in the boating industry and I've had to explain this to clients more than once. No metal is "saltwater proof". Stainless steel just means it stains LESS (as in less rust stains).

 

This would work without a clamp as long as the pressure isn't too great. I run mine with a gate valve to add backpressure so I wanted a clamp. Like sparky said, Once the hose is on there it's really hard to get off. I soak mine in boiling water to get it on and once it cools I have even had to cut it off with a razor blade. Plus if the joint is under water you don't really need to worry about it leaking just a little. Depends on your pressure and weather or not your pump is slip or if it has a barb

 

thanks for all the really quick replies. The problem is that its slip and i dont know if reefsparkys method will work with slip.

 

Yeah it wont work with a slip. If it's low pressure then you might be able to get away with a plastic clamp. If it's under high pressure or you want it to be more permanent and be able to sleep at night knowing it won't fail, you could buy a socket to barb adapter and prime and cement the adapter to the pump.