Stainless Filter Basket in Saltwater?

[sawdonkey]

I want to put a filter on the effluent line of my calcium reactor to keep my needle wheel from clogging. I have a filter that’s typically used for a RODI booster pump, but the strainer basket is stainless. Is this a no-go in my tank? Will the saltwater eat it up and foul my water?

 

[Bnichols124]

3d print one over metal

 

[sawdonkey]

Thanks, but A) I don’t understand what you mean B). I have no ability to do that.

 

[JoshH]

Thanks, but A) I don’t understand what you mean B). I have no ability to do that.

I wouldn't use it personally, eventually it will degrade over time. What you could do is remove the stainless steel and replace it with filter sock mesh material. You can get Mesh that is just as if not more fine than the stainless steel one you have.

 

[sawdonkey]

I wouldn't use it personally, eventually it will degrade over time. What you could do is remove the stainless steel and replace it with filter sock mesh material. You can get Mesh that is just as if not more fine than the stainless steel one you have.

Yeah, good point. I guess I could do that. But, is the stainless a real concern? Even if it degrades, it would take a long time, right? Would the contaminants be small enough that I’d be removing/diluting them though faster than they enter with water changes? (My tank is 220 gallons BTW).

 

[Red_Beard]

Agreed with above. Then once it does corrode it will be plugged up and nothing will get through potentially causing other issues. They make some plastic ones for caustic applications that would fit your application. maybe even one that fits your housing.

 

[JoshH]

Yeah, good point. I guess I could do that. But, is the stainless a real concern? Even if it degrades, it would take a long time, right? Would the contaminants be small enough that I’d be removing/diluting them though faster than they enter with water changes? (My tank is 220 gallons BTW).

Well it all depends on what type of stainless steel it is, if it's high quality it might last a couple years. If not, it might last a few months before the degrading begins. There are too many factors at play to really hammer out how long it could last. I do feel that it is small enough that even if the whole thing dissolved it probably wouldn't kill everything in your tank, but if you have higher end SPS it might still be a concern...

 

[MastaMind82]

Being that you don't know the actual makeup of the stainless steel. I would shy away from it being submerged in saltwater. You can do a quick read here on the grades and what they can handle, 304/L for example should not be used in a submerged saltwater environment.

 

[Red_Beard]

Here is a link to a good one https://www.mcmaster.com/strainer-screens/for-use-with~salt-solutions/

 

[sawdonkey]

I found a chemical comparability table on the filter maker’s website. They rank compatability as “very acceptable, acceptable, unacceptable.” For their stainless, they rank saltwater compatability as “acceptable”.

http://www.dmfit.com/eng/feature/chemical.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yeah, good point. I guess I could do that. But, is the stainless a real concern? Even if it degrades, it would take a long time, right? Would the contaminants be small enough that I’d be removing/diluting them though faster than they enter with water changes? (My tank is 220 gallons BTW).

Some stainless steel is OK and some not.

Do you know the exact alloy?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I found a chemical comparability table on the filter maker’s website. They rank compatability as “very acceptable, acceptable, unacceptable.” For their stainless, they rank saltwater compatability as “acceptable”.

http://www.dmfit.com/eng/feature/chemical.html

If they have a higher rating, then "acceptable" is, IMO, unacceptable.

 

[sawdonkey]

If they have a higher rating, then "acceptable" is, IMO, unacceptable.

I don’t know the alloy, but I agree with what you’re saying. Thanks.