Corrosion problem!!

[tomfranklin]

Have a corrosion problem in the tank, lost majority of my sps and lps started to retract. Done multiple icps and the only thing that’s off is elevated zinc and tin which leads me to believe it’s a corrosion problem

How likely is this rusting hose clamp the cause of my problem? It’s not submerged but it is directly above the sump. Other than that I have no idea I’ve taken all my equipment apart and checked but found nothing. This is all I can find but I’d be shocked if this is my problem

If anyone can help me out it would be much appreciated

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How high were zinc and tin?

 

[tomfranklin]

This was AFTER a 30% water change a couple days before icp cause my fox flame started to RTN so panicked and did large water change so the numbers were most likely a higher than that, iron also high at 5.8

 

[BZOFIQ]

Get these and never look back.

https://www.titan-marine-hardware.com/titanium-hose-clamps.htm

 

[Harpo]

Great suggestion. Last time I checked they were out of stock

 

[tomfranklin]

Yeah thanks I appreciate it mate will pick one up! but how likely is this my problem? It seems minor as it’s not even submerged but happy to be told otherwise

 

[AKReefing]

I've found multiple threads in R2R pointing to plastic tubing as one source of tin, with extended contact with the water as a reason for tin leaching into the water. As far as zinc, there's no reason to use galvanized screws or clamps in a reef tank when stainless steel replacements are available in just about any hardware store.

I've read that activated carbon can absorb tin and zinc, along with things you don't want to remove. I'd think multiple water changes might give more desirable results.

If you believe the elevated metals are causing your problems, replace the probable sources of those metals, do water changes, and retest.

 

[tomfranklin]

Yeah fair, I concede the hose clamp was an oversight

Thanks for your input mate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m somewhat skeptical that those zinc and tin levels are responsible, even before a 30% change, since a lot of folks seem to have similar levels without issue, but especially with tin, the chemical form and hence toxicity may vary a lot.

 

[tomfranklin]

The only thing I will add is my alk consumption dropped quite a lot a few weeks before seeing any negative signs in the tank, soon as I started seeing problems I send for an icp, came back with these elevated heavy metals. After this recent icp I did large 50% water changes and in the couple weeks after that my alk consumption increased by 150% which to me made it look like I had got rid of whatever was causing my corals irritation. Since going back to my weekly 10% water changes 3 weeks ago my alk consumption has now decreased back to what it was before when I was having problems the first time. Which to me suggests something is leaching these metals into the tank and causing problems

Sent another icp off last night so we’ll see what comes back

 

[exnisstech]

The clamp is not in the water so I doubt that is the cause. I have several like that and haven't had issues but I rarely do ICP tests

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The only thing I will add is my alk consumption dropped quite a lot a few weeks before seeing any negative signs in the tank, soon as I started seeing problems I send for an icp, came back with these elevated heavy metals. After this recent icp I did large 50% water changes and in the couple weeks after that my alk consumption increased by 150% which to me made it look like I had got rid of whatever was causing my corals irritation. Since going back to my weekly 10% water changes 3 weeks ago my alk consumption has now decreased back to what it was before when I was having problems the first time. Which to me suggests something is leaching these metals into the tank and causing problems

Sent another icp off last night so we’ll see what comes back

Your stated story is also consistent with a lack of some trace element that a water changed added, but is now depleted again.