Saltwater Mixing Station - Brass?

[Lylelovett]

Hi all,

I am building my saltwater mixing station - two brute cans, gravity fed, fresh on top, saltwater below.

I’d like to use a brass valve (because I like the 90 degree open/close handle design) in between the two bins. Is that brass okay to use since it’s BEFORE the saltwater? Or should I stay away from metal completely?

Thanks for your expertise.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I’d avoid it. Pretty sure you can get spigots in cpvc. ( hot water lines )

 

[JimFuller]

Anything after the RODI unit must be non-metalic, otherwise they will leach into your water if it gets into your mix water then it is in your saltwater mix.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

i’m unclear as to what type of valve, but plastic only, regardless.

 

[theatrus]

Hi all,

I am building my saltwater mixing station - two brute cans, gravity fed, fresh on top, saltwater below.

I’d like to use a brass valve (because I like the 90 degree open/close handle design) in between the two bins. Is that brass okay to use since it’s BEFORE the saltwater? Or should I stay away from metal completely?

Thanks for your expertise.

Brass won't actively corrode in freshwater. Its of course a big no-no in saltwater. I'd personally stick with stainless or stainless valves after filtration.

 

[Awesome Dennis]

Homewerks VHB-CEL-F4B Hose Bibb, Male Thread, Celcon, 3/4-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046HAD0U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cgogCb3WGGT36

 

[garbled]

R/O DI water has had all (well not all) the impurities stripped out. Water loves impurities. The less it has impurities, the more it wants them. Standard tap water in a brass valve will probably pick up very little of the metals, because it's more or less sated. R/O DI is aggressive, it will pull metals out. The more pure your water, the more aggressive it is at this.

From google:
Red brass usually contains 85% copper, 5% tin, 5% lead, and 5% zinc. Red brass may be copper alloy C23000, which is 14 to 16% zinc, 0.05% iron and lead, and the remainder copper.

Do you want that anywhere near your saltwater?

 

[User]

Brass won't actively corrode in freshwater. Its of course a big no-no in saltwater. I'd personally stick with stainless or stainless valves after filtration.

RODI isn’t fresh water. It’s highly reactive and will strip ions out of anything in order to ‘balance’ itself. Brass will corrode in RODI.

Besides- many options fir all plastic valves are out there. I use these-

HYDROSEAL Kaplan 1’’ PVC True Union Ball Valve with Full Port, ASTM F1970, EPDM O-Rings and Reversible PTFE Seats, Rated at 200 PSI @73F, Gray, 1 inch Socket (1 inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMXDKDV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NIogCbMMMG7FB

Nice big chunky smooth as butter handle.

And cheaper than a Spears.

 

[Jr'sReef]

Leaving a wavemakers in the mixing barrels to keep the water moving a bad idea then?

 

[User]

Leaving a wavemakers in the mixing barrels to keep the water moving a bad idea then?

No, since they can go in your tank for months without issue.

I use the pump at lower left of my pic to recirculate and provide movement in the lower barrel. Don’t need an additional wavemKer that way

 

[Sshannon]

What about stainless steel? Would that become corroded with RO water?