Rust in new water barrel

[Lou Raffael]

Hi everyone,

I just installed a return pump in the bucket where I make new salt water for my tank. I've had some water sitting for a week or so in this barrel and noticed the metal bracket that is secured to the pump for the soft tubing out of the barrel is showing some rust. Is this potentially lethal for the fish, should I empty all of this water, take the clamp out and start over or will the rust not do anything to the fish?

I think I know the answer to this question and it was a knucklehead idea to use a metal clamp but I wanted to double check.

Thank you

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would remove the clamp and start over. Not worth the risk that anything rusting got into your water.

 

[Paul B]

The rust would not bother me at all. There are probably 6 or 7 iron screws in my tank lost someplace and I even dose iron in the form of rust. If it rusts it is iron and iron is not bad. Copper and zinc is a different story.

 

[Lou Raffael]

I'm not sure what the clamp is made of so I'd rather be safe and not leave the possibility of poisoning my tank. Good info, thank you!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm not sure what the clamp is made of so I'd rather be safe and not leave the possibility of poisoning my tank. Good info, thank you!

Better safe than sorry. Not worth the risk IMO with the amount of $$ spent on our livestock

 

[powdertang05]

I doubt a clamp is made out of zinc or copper. very weak and costs more than steel. I personally would remove it. If you dont use RODI water, you may already have alot of iron in your tank im sure.