Question About Rust

Can rust or something rusting cause no3 to rise? I just found a "stainless steel" clamp that holds the hose from the pump to the skimmer rusting away. Let me ask a better question, can rust effect the level of no3? thanks, Luna

 

It shouldn't. Nitrates are the result of something organic breaking down. Rust is oxidation of metal which is not organic.

 

metals and saltwater dont get along. corals and metals dont either. rust is metal going back to its normal state. if the livestock react with the trasition the ann cycle will happen. so it is possible

 

i used a bunch of zip ties.

 

Rust is simply ferric oxide. Your water will change to slightly yellow. It will be toxic in high doses however, removal of the corroded metal piece + water change should do the trick 8).

 

I use these, you sometimes have to use 2 where you would normally use 1 metal clamp. Thing I like is they can be removed and reused unlike zip ties.

Plastic Clamps

 

You know that we use Rust to remove po4. What do you think Granular Ferric Oxide Hydroxide is? Rust, pretty much. I think theres an electrolisis that is needed to create that, but its basically rust. Take a look at it sometime. Infact they ask that you keep it moist in the package. Thats to keep it oxidizing.

The impurities released from the metal oxidizing could be a problem. Or not. Simply not enough is truely know to make a definitve answer. Too many varibles.

 

Scotts right, GFO is definitely rust or at least one compnents of rust, ALL of which are ferric oxide. There are a couple different versions (I believe that we are talking about Iron III Oxide) but rust is definitely NOT harmful to anything reef related. In fact most people buy it to adsorb phosphates (PO4) that Scott was talking about.

 

And thats the million dollar question. If we knew ROWA would be out of buisness;D

 

its not the gfo that should be the issue but all the other elements the metal is made of like copper, chormium, nikel and carbon. we dont pour gfo into the tank. some corals will be effected by the metal rusting but shouldnt be an issue if removed.