Tunze Magnet Concern

reeftilldie · Sep 22, 2017

So i bought the tunze skimmer with magnets holder from local reefer who get out of the hobby. Is the magnet rusted? and Is this safe to use after clean up with vinegar bath?
Thank you

AdamNC · Sep 23, 2017

That indeed looks like rust. I wouldn't put it in my tank. Best to buy new magnets from Tunze.

jimmyzhou · Sep 23, 2017

I won't do that risk to my tank for that money

mfinn · Sep 23, 2017

@rvitko might be able to shed some light on this.

Blue Spot Octopus · Sep 23, 2017

I do not think that is rust from the magnets, like mfinn stated Roger is the man.

bblumberg · Sep 23, 2017

reeftilldie said:
So i bought the tunze skimmer with magnets holder from local reefer who get out of the hobby. Is the magnet rusted? and Is this safe to use after clean up with vinegar bath?
Thank you

This looks like the magnet that goes outside the tank, not the inside magnet. I would not put this one in water. +1 on ask Roger in the Tunze forum.

Bruce

eel-byte · Sep 23, 2017

I have the same issue.

Magnet inside tank

Magnet on the holder outside the tank

bblumberg · Sep 23, 2017

I would definitely replace those. Newer Tunze magnets do not look like this - they are fully encased in epoxy. For example, here are magnets on a 3155 Osmolator.

Bruce

reeftilldie · Sep 23, 2017

bblumberg said:
This looks like the magnet that goes outside the tank, not the inside magnet. I would not put this one in water. +1 on ask Roger in the Tunze forum.

Bruce

This is the magnet stay inside of the tank.

reeftilldie · Sep 23, 2017

Blue Spot Octopus said:
I do not think that is rust from the magnets, like mfinn stated Roger is the man.

So, how do i know thats not rust? looks like a coat of somethings to me too.

5altkreep · Sep 23, 2017

Looks like rust to me. But even if its not, the piece of mind would be worth the price of new magnets if it were my tank.

dannyfish · Sep 23, 2017

Rust = iron oxide= GFO , no harm with that in the tank.

bblumberg · Sep 23, 2017

reeftilldie said:
This is the magnet stay inside of the tank.

Please either replace this magnet, or coat it completely in epoxy before the metals can leach out and kill the inhabitants of your tank...

Bruce

bblumberg · Sep 23, 2017

dannyfish said:
Rust = iron oxide= GFO , no harm with that in the tank.

Sorry, that is almost certainly incorrect. While the visible rust may be iron oxide, those are neodymium magnets which have other toxic metals in them, including neodymium and boron in the magnet itself. Many are also wrapped with copper and nickel. Most definitely not worth the risk. New magnets or bury these in epoxy...

Bruce

reeftilldie · Sep 23, 2017

bblumberg said:
Sorry, that is almost certainly incorrect. While the visible rust may be iron oxide, those are neodymium magnets which have other toxic metals in them, including neodymium and boron in the magnet itself. Many are also wrapped with copper and nickel. Most definitely not worth the risk. New magnets or bury these in epoxy...

Bruce

Which epoxy are you talking about? Can you show me one with reef safe?
I hear there are 2 kind of magnets , one will rust which is harmful and the other one is reef-safe (rust free?). I'm still concern why Tunze makes this kind of magnets that is rusted in first place.

eel-byte · Sep 23, 2017

reeftilldie said:
Which epoxy are you talking about? Can you show me one with reef safe?
I hear there are 2 kind of magnets , one will rust which is harmful and the other one is reef-safe (rust free?). I'm still concern why Tunze makes this kind of magnets that is rusted in first place.

I just purchase this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/6025-501-nano-stream-magnet-extension.html

bblumberg · Sep 23, 2017

reeftilldie said:
Which epoxy are you talking about? Can you show me one with reef safe?
I hear there are 2 kind of magnets , one will rust which is harmful and the other one is reef-safe (rust free?). I'm still concern why Tunze makes this kind of magnets that is rusted in first place.

I would contact Roger Vitko at Tunze https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/tunze.461/
and see what he will do for you with respect to new magnets. Tunze is very good about customer service and may offer you a discount to replace your rusty magnets. AT the least, he will tell you for certain whether this is a problem or not.

With respect to epoxys, check out this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lf-a-100-reef-safe-liquid-epoxy.191966/

Bruce

valsterb · Sep 26, 2017

Beware of rust! Iron itself might be beneficial in small amounts, but other metals like Tungsten, Neodynium, Boron, Nickel, Chromium, etc. found in stainless steel in various forms can be toxic.

alanjeffery · Sep 26, 2017

In communication i had with Tunze ( Roger Vitko and a UK dealer) when they changed from the enclosed coated magnet style to bare magnet style they said the magnets are rust/corrosion proof and made to be used in fresh/salt water. I didn't believe them and chose not to use them, which later appeared to be a wise decision when pictures of rusting magnets began appearing on the internet. Its a shame when a "reputable" company like Tunze can't be trusted and gives out bad information regarding their product

Greybeard · Sep 26, 2017

bblumberg said:
Sorry, that is almost certainly incorrect. While the visible rust may be iron oxide, those are neodymium magnets which have other toxic metals in them, including neodymium and boron in the magnet itself. Many are also wrapped with copper and nickel. Most definitely not worth the risk. New magnets or bury these in epoxy...

Bruce

Yup. GFO is iron oxide-hydroxide, and the stuff we use is pretty pure. The crap these engineered magnets give off when rusting away? Not in my tank, thanks.