Stainless steel hose clamps.. reef safe?

Well our pumps have stainless steel impellers - are stainless steel hose clamps ok in our reef tanks?

Marine grade all stainless steel hose clamps - PlumbingSupply.com

I never have had one before but I do currently have one on my return line that is partially submerged... if not ok, what is the substitute? If not ok, why not?

 

I think marine grade to boaters and aquarists means two completely different things. Marine grade to a boater means "this hose clamp won't corrode" when to an aquarist means "this hose clamp won't kill everything". I'm assuming that these are for boat applications. Who knows what chemicals they put on it to make them corrosion resistant. They may be okay..but I would like to keep as little metal in my tank as possible.

 

i have heard of people using plastic zip ties and just pulling them SUPER tight...

 

I hear ya - but as stated, every pump we have has stainless steel shaft. Curious why these (not specifically this brand) but any hose clamps would be considered bad if they are... has anyone kept them in before with any success?

 

Yeah I have some of those ready but this scares me a bit... I have a pretty strong pump and the adapter for the hose is not barbed, so if it slips, I will have a serious water problem and some fried equipment.

Come to think of it, it might be easier for me to replace the adapter with a barbed one and use a zip-tie if I need to go that route.

 

Plastic Hose Clamp

honest - answer I dont know

but if your worried - the above would take the problem away for you

Steve

 

I haven't used them or know of anyone who has, but I think everyone is using extreme caution when it comes to using anything metal for fear of contaminating the tank. The other metal hose clamps oxidize and thus risk the possibility of contaminating the tank with more heavy metal than our creatures can handle.

 

Yep that is the fear. Really just curious... since I don't have anything in my tank beyond rock.. and the clamp has only been there for a few days, I am not sweating it yet. Planning on replacing it pretty much out of paranoia at this point. Really just curious, really curious if anyone has any stories.

Thanks Steve - I had thought of those too.. that may be the route.

 

I use these but wouldn't trust them on a pump bigger than my 600gph. The stops in tightening them are just too far apart, so it doesn't really feel like they're that tight.

 

I've just got SS hose clamps on my return and whatnot just makesure the worm is SS too