Dropped a tiny screw in my tank!!!

blstravler · Jun 24, 2020

So I did a dumb thing.

Was installing a ReefBrite led strip onto my ATI SunPower and the little screw from the SunPower fixture dropped into my tank and it’s gonna be impossible to find....

The screws aren’t magnetic so they could be stainless steel? I can’t think of a way to easily find it - any ideas?

I sent over a question to ATI Support to see if they are stainless or what they are made of.

dbowman5 · Jun 24, 2020

if it is shiny turn off the other lights and shine a bright flash light around the tank and look for reflections. if you think it fell into the sand use a small net like a sand sifter to go through the sand, if you can remove the rockwork pull each piece and invert them over a bucket or tray to see if it drops off. good luck.

Caseyoidae · Jun 24, 2020

I’d kill the pumps and look from the top down.

ApoIsland · Jun 24, 2020

I've had screws on a skimmer rust out in the tank. Also had a fan placed poorly over a sump which had a screw rust and drip into the tank for years before i noticed. Was never an issue for me. Not sure its an issue if you are doing regular water changes. Aquarium size vs size of screw and frequency of water changes probably have a lot to do with whether or not it will effect the system at all.

blstravler · Jun 24, 2020

If it is stainless steel I would assume it’s fine to leave it in?

I’ve been taking out my sand bed for the past few months so I could take the rest out and like suggested above take each piece of rock out and shake it into a bucket of clean water and see if it falls out.

blstravler · Jun 24, 2020

ApoIsland said:
I've had screws on a skimmer rust out in the tank. Also had a fan placed poorly over a sump which had a screw rust and drip into the tank for years before i noticed. Was never an issue for me. Not sure its an issue if you are doing regular water changes. Aquarium size vs size of screw and frequency of water changes probably have a lot to do with whether or not it will effect the system at all.

That’s actually a really good point - I probably have about 90 total gallons and I have my AWC set to change a gallon out every day so kinda one third a every month. Also it was a VERY small screw.

Ryan Wolf · Jun 24, 2020

I wouldn’t sweat it. Regular water changes will keep the nasties at bay. That being said, run carbon intermittently as well. Just throw some in the sump for pollutants and contaminants.

tehmadreefer · Jun 24, 2020

Your tank is gonna crash

blstravler · Jun 24, 2020

tehmadreefer said:
Your tank is gonna crash

lol thanks for the vote of confidence...

ca1ore · Jun 24, 2020

If you need the screw for the light turn I guess you’d better hunt for it. If you’re worried about it affecting the tank .... don’t. Lost count of the number of single edge razor blades I dropped in my tank. BTW, I always put a piece of plywood over my tank when working over it .... mostly because I’m a klutz.

AZMSGT · Jun 25, 2020

Me... I would find the screw. To many stories about metal in the tank causing issues. Not worth risking it.

MightyMO · Jun 25, 2020

That sucks!!! I hope you find it!!!

ahiggins · Jun 25, 2020

I would be super crazy about finding it lol but I doubt it’s going to cause issues

Ocean Roamer · Jun 25, 2020

Get a magnet on a stick and waft it around in there

AZMSGT · Jun 25, 2020

Ocean Roamer said:
Get a magnet on a stick and waft it around in there

He said it’s not magnetic, it’s stainless steel.

piranhaman00 · Jun 25, 2020

I wouldnt worry about it.

mfollen · Jun 25, 2020

I would certainly worry about it and get it out.

SteveG_inDC · Jun 25, 2020

Have you tried screwivore snails? JK. Sorry to hear about it, but your posting will remind the rest of us working on our tanks or putting hardware over the tanks to be careful. Good luck.

Fish E · Jun 25, 2020

AZMSGT said:
He said it’s not magnetic, it’s stainless steel.

There are 4 types of stainless steel. 3 of which are magnetic. Maybe test one of the other screws with a magnet if you haven't already.

Is Stainless Steel Magnetic? - Metal Supermarkets

There is a misconception that all stainless steels are not magnetic. In fact, some types and grades of stainless steels are magnetic.

www.metalsupermarkets.com

AZMSGT · Jun 25, 2020

Fish E said:
There are 4 types of stainless steel. 3 of which are magnetic. Maybe test one of the other screws with a magnet if you haven't already.

Is Stainless Steel Magnetic? - Metal Supermarkets

There is a misconception that all stainless steels are not magnetic. In fact, some types and grades of stainless steels are magnetic.

www.metalsupermarkets.com

Dude, read the OPs original post.. they aren't magnetic.