Dropped a tiny screw in my tank!!!

[blstravler]

So I did a dumb thing.

Was installing a ReefBrite led strip onto my ATI SunPower and the little screw from the SunPower fixture dropped into my tank and it’s gonna be impossible to find....

The screws aren’t magnetic so they could be stainless steel? I can’t think of a way to easily find it - any ideas?

I sent over a question to ATI Support to see if they are stainless or what they are made of.

 

[dbowman5]

if it is shiny turn off the other lights and shine a bright flash light around the tank and look for reflections. if you think it fell into the sand use a small net like a sand sifter to go through the sand, if you can remove the rockwork pull each piece and invert them over a bucket or tray to see if it drops off. good luck.

 

[Caseyoidae]

I’d kill the pumps and look from the top down.

 

[ApoIsland]

I've had screws on a skimmer rust out in the tank. Also had a fan placed poorly over a sump which had a screw rust and drip into the tank for years before i noticed. Was never an issue for me. Not sure its an issue if you are doing regular water changes. Aquarium size vs size of screw and frequency of water changes probably have a lot to do with whether or not it will effect the system at all.

 

[blstravler]

If it is stainless steel I would assume it’s fine to leave it in?

I’ve been taking out my sand bed for the past few months so I could take the rest out and like suggested above take each piece of rock out and shake it into a bucket of clean water and see if it falls out.

 

[blstravler]

I've had screws on a skimmer rust out in the tank. Also had a fan placed poorly over a sump which had a screw rust and drip into the tank for years before i noticed. Was never an issue for me. Not sure its an issue if you are doing regular water changes. Aquarium size vs size of screw and frequency of water changes probably have a lot to do with whether or not it will effect the system at all.

That’s actually a really good point - I probably have about 90 total gallons and I have my AWC set to change a gallon out every day so kinda one third a every month. Also it was a VERY small screw.

 

[Ryan Wolf]

I wouldn’t sweat it. Regular water changes will keep the nasties at bay. That being said, run carbon intermittently as well. Just throw some in the sump for pollutants and contaminants.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Your tank is gonna crash

 

[blstravler]

Your tank is gonna crash

lol thanks for the vote of confidence...

 

[ca1ore]

If you need the screw for the light turn I guess you’d better hunt for it. If you’re worried about it affecting the tank .... don’t. Lost count of the number of single edge razor blades I dropped in my tank. BTW, I always put a piece of plywood over my tank when working over it .... mostly because I’m a klutz.

 

[AZMSGT]

Me... I would find the screw. To many stories about metal in the tank causing issues. Not worth risking it.

 

[MightyMO]

That sucks!!! I hope you find it!!!

 

[ahiggins]

I would be super crazy about finding it lol but I doubt it’s going to cause issues

 

[Ocean Roamer]

Get a magnet on a stick and waft it around in there

 

[AZMSGT]

Get a magnet on a stick and waft it around in there

He said it’s not magnetic, it’s stainless steel.

 

[piranhaman00]

I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[mfollen]

I would certainly worry about it and get it out.

 

[SteveG_inDC]

Have you tried screwivore snails? JK. Sorry to hear about it, but your posting will remind the rest of us working on our tanks or putting hardware over the tanks to be careful. Good luck.

 

[Fish E]

He said it’s not magnetic, it’s stainless steel.

There are 4 types of stainless steel. 3 of which are magnetic. Maybe test one of the other screws with a magnet if you haven't already.

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/is-stainless-steel-magnetic/

 

[AZMSGT]

There are 4 types of stainless steel. 3 of which are magnetic. Maybe test one of the other screws with a magnet if you haven't already.

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/is-stainless-steel-magnetic/

Dude, read the OPs original post.. they aren't magnetic.