Stainless steel dropped into tank

[Len]

I think I know the answer to this one, but I thought I might as well ask. I just accidentally dropped a stainless steel (410 SS) into the tank while trying to mount an extra moonlight. Should I be concerned?

 

[MartinE]

If you took it out, IMO it would not be a problem. I use steel tongs in my reef occasionally no problems yet, but I dont leave them in their to rust either, that might cause a problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Can you fish it out with a magnet?

 

[cjsrch]

my old heater was stainless steal. didnt rust or anything. i wouldent worry esspecialy if you get it out

 

[Len]

It fell beyond where I can see or get it, so no, I can't get it out

 

[Anonymous]

It'll rust. Is that a problem? Even my stainless steel implements get rust spots if I don't clean them off properly.

 

[Anonymous]

You'll end up with a little bit of hair algae in that spot.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

Ck, what's in SS? My memory is foggy but I thought it was mostly iron (?)....if so it probably won't cause many problems.

I lifted up a huge rock recently in my 275 gallon and found some very old items dropped in the tank. A plastic bar pick (we haven't used this particular type in over 3 years) that looked like I dropped it in yesterday, and a stainless steel screw that looked like it came off the Titanic. Completely rust.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, why don't you do an experiment.

Make sure that screw has little or no water flow over it.


Then drop another one in a high flow area



Let me know in a couple of years what they look like.

 

[Anonymous]

I do what 7E said and try to fish it out with a magnet.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I do what 7E said and try to fish it out with a magnet.

Louey

:lol:


Some SS is actually magnetic, but even the ones that are have a very weak magnetic attraction.

One of the ways we check grades of stainless fasteners is to lay it on a flat metal surface and swipe a magnet by it and see if it moves at all....

 

[Anonymous]

There are several grades of SS, some are brine-resistance, while some rust even in mild condition. Some are attracted to magnet, while others are not. That's why I ask Len if he can fish it out with magnet. Generally, SS that attract to magnet does not stands well in saltwater, due to low chromium / nickel content. I talked about this a few years ago, but the keyword "martensitic " or "austenitic" does not show up. :?

Not very familiar with 410SS (martenstic), but since it is not 316 (austenitic, the common "marine"-grade SS, not really saltwater safe, but that's another story), I have a feeling that it is not going to last long in the tank.

 

[Len]

I'll try to prod around the holes it could've fell in, but I don't know if I'll be able to find it. There's too much rock. The screw was lightly magnetic.

 

[Len]

Here's the chemical formulation of 410 SS:
Fe, <0.15% C, 11.5-13.5% Cr, >0.75% Ni, <1.0% Mn, <1.0% Si, <0.04% P, <0.03% S

That doesn't add up to 100% though Does anyone know what the bulk material of steel is?

 

[Len]

Ah, nevermind. I read the above all wrong. Fe is the bulk material (duh)

 

[Anonymous]

Well when your tank is extremely successful and the envy of the world, just remember that dropping in stainless steel is part of the process.

Sounds like it is nothing to worry about.

 

[Len]

I'm still gonna try to fish it out with a magnet on a string (fishing for screws!) I have borderline OCD when it comes to little details

 

[LA-Lawman]

BORDERLINE.....!

i think you will be ok, look at all the sunken ships used to rebuild reefs! we use phosban (ferric oxide hydroxide) and then rowaphos (aluminum based)

so i think you are fine. one little screw in a 180g reef.... no biggie. go drink a beer and forget about it!

 

[FragMaster]

True surgical grade SS is not magnetic and will not adhere to a magnet very well at all.
"ss" screws we buy from the local hardware store are simply low grade chromium alloy plated iron alloy screws. Thats why they rust. (cheap thin layer of chromium plate)

"Does anyone know what the bulk material of steel is?"

Steel compositions vary widely. Steels in general have a lower carbon content than cast irons, and lower amounts of impurities like phosphorus and sulfur. Other alloying elements such as Boron, Chromium, Cobalt, Columbium (Niobium), Copper, Molybdenum, Nickel, Nitrogen, Selenium, Tantalum, Titanium, Tungsten, and Vanadium are added to improve corrosion, high temperature, and mechanical/machinability properties of steel.
The bulk material depends on the type of steel.

BEWARE there are thousands of types of steel in general, and 100's of types of stainless steel! LOL!!
So your qustion is basicly infinit LOL!!


BTW:
As stated already I wouldnt swet it one bit!!
Not even a blink! Even in a 29g I wouldnt swet it.
one small screw wont hurt squat.
as long as it dosent contain copper, "FOOK IT"!!!
LOL!!

 

[Len]

Everyone in the world can now rejoice in unison, for I have fished out the screw with a magnet on monofilament line 8)