Rusty Powerhead

[Mandy_R]

Hi Guys,

My 75g tank has been set up for about 6 months now, and my powerhead is rusting... The metal bar thing that holds the impeller in place has a fair chunk of rust on it, and its only about 6 weeks old! I've taken it out of the tank for now - is rust in the tank dangerous for fish? And will it be OK to have no powerhead untill I get it sorted? The tank is FOWLR.

Cheers for your help!!

Mandy

 

[Anonymous]

Rust is pretty save for most things, but you need to find out why it only last 6 months. Is the shaft make of the right tpye of stainless steel? Get powerhead with a ceramic shaft if you are not too sure. In the mean time, if the powerhead runs, you maybe alright to keep use it. Ask for a free replacement shaft if the device is for saltwater.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think I've ever seen an impeller rust. :? And I've seen a few impellers... Personally, I wouldn't feel so safe. Just because it looks like rust doesn't mean there are no other components oxidizing along with.. does it? That's what I'd want to know for sure, as a little iron oxide should not hurt as long as that's all it is.

 

[Anonymous]

Maxijet shaft is make out of stainless steel, and it will rust, or rather, stains when you use it for a few months. The impeller is made out of plastic and ceramic (magnet), and it will not rust.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, it's been a long time since I've used any aquatic equipment, unless you count the garden hose. A design change in the Maxijets..? I honestly don't remember them ever rusting.

Either way, if it's stainless then it's got to be a minimal amount of rust then, right?

 

[Anonymous]

In most cases, the rust is superficial, but I have had some that rusted so badly that I can snap the end with my hand.