Rust on reef tank pump!

[Clownfish]

I cleaned out my sump, pulled my Mag 12 for routine cleaning and found RUST on all of the face screws. The screws are rusted to the pump face, there was so much rust it even discolored some LR next to it...

This can't be normal, is it?

I just lost 2 brittle starfish, that have been in my tanks for 6+ years. I have a large 12"+ Derasa clam, who isn't looking as good as he normally does. He isn't opening like normal, and there isn't any nip markes or anything in paticular that would make him close. The other Maxima's look fine, for now.

Could this rust be the reason?

The pump is only about 1-1.5 years old, and I've had it out at least 3-4 times since I bought it. It's never had rust before... WTF? The pump was putting tiny, tiny bubbles into the tank, I thought I had a small leak in the plumbing. I put in a back up 9.5, and voila! No more tiny bubbles.

Perhaps the tiny bubbles caused some of the demise of the starfish and fractious state of my Derasa? I thought I remember something about tiny bubbles getting caught and causing tissue necrosis in inverts?

Any ideas here? And what to do about this RUST!

And thanks.

[Sir Patrick]

I too have always worried about rust in my reef tank. Never have looked into if I am worrying for a good reason, or just being paranoid though...

All my small rio skimmer pumps shaft seem to rust out. I have yet come to see an issue though. Tagging long for an answer.

[tazzy695]

I don't think the iron from the rusting screws would be a issue in the tank and the micro bubbles could possibly be the pump sucking air from the surface which the mag 9.5 wouldn't do due to lower flow rate

however I would replace the screws with new ones just to make sure you can still use them next time you pull the pump for service

as for the clam closing up maby there isn't enough ammonia in the system for it to really be happy as this is one of their foods

for the brittle stars I would suspect old age as their cause of death

[Crow]

[sarcasm]
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but.... Metal and saltwater = RUST! Yup I didn't believe it myself, till a study came out with scientific data showing, that saltwater will rust metals!
[/sarcasm]

Ok, yes the rust is BAD for our tanks! they are after all closed systems, if you have metal on pumps, powerheads, anything that will be in direct contact with the tank water should have aquarium silicone covering them to protect the water from them rusting!

Note: powerhead/pump shafts are not included in covering them with silicone.

[Clownfish]

[sarcasm]
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but.... Metal and saltwater = RUST! Yup I didn't believe it myself, till a study came out with scientific data showing, that saltwater will rust metals!
[/sarcasm]

If I was looking for sarcasm, I would've posted on RC


Yeah, I know metal rusts in saltwater. I've never had THIS much rust on any of the screws on any of my other pumps.

The use of stainless steel, or titanium deters rust on most small parts with limited contact of marine water. The screw heads being limited contact.

I had all 6 screws totally rusted over, and affecting the area around them. IF I can unfreeze the screws and save the pump, I will. I have 5 large pumps in my sump, why this one, and not any of the others?

I don't know, but it just seems too much of a concidence, 2 dead starfish, and a sickly looking clam thats been in the tank for more than 7+ years.

[Clownfish]

I don't think the iron from the rusting screws would be a issue in the tank and the micro bubbles could possibly be the pump sucking air from the surface which the mag 9.5 wouldn't do due to lower flow rate

however I would replace the screws with new ones just to make sure you can still use them next time you pull the pump for service

as for the clam closing up maby there isn't enough ammonia in the system for it to really be happy as this is one of their foods

for the brittle stars I would suspect old age as their cause of death

It wasn't a little rust, it waaz a LOT of rust. All 6 screws, I can't even re
ove them. It discolored a rock in an area of 4" x 5".

Ammonia? I just had 2 starfish die, I didn't test , but I'm sure they caused some ammonia. They died in the farthest most remote part of the tank. I had to stand on my head to fish their bloated corpses out. One had the body size of a half dollar.

[EMUreef]

I had a magnet start rusting, and it caused mayham.

It caused a massive dinoflagellates outbreak, it was growing on everything, all my corals looked ****ed. Nothing died but boy i was worried.

But as far as a metal like a screw, and that little amount, i don't think would cause that make things to show effect.

[02REDZ28]

I used Mags for years. When you get the screws out, take one of them to the hardware store and buy a nice set of stainless screws with the same thread pattern. You can add clear nail polish over the top of them so they wont rust in the future.

I never had problems with mine getting caked in rust though. I only had some slight rusty hue to the
heads.


The rust is not what is causing a problem in your aquarium. Microbubbles on the other hand can be causing irritation to your clams and other critters.

Also, Tazzy, ammonia is not a "food" for clams..... Just and FYI...

[Clownfish]

Thanks, EMU, Chort, and Red...

Some intresting ideas on rust and some reasonable fixes.

[EMUreef]

Thanks, EMU, Chort, and Red...

Some intresting ideas on rust and some reasonable fixes.

there's a filter floss type pad that apparantly removes all metal traces and such from the water column. The fish docs sold it to me, i dunno if it helped or what, but i had removed the magnet as soon as i saw the rust on it.

i think it actually changed color with what kinda metal was getting obsorbed. I cant remember what it was or who made it.