Brass float valve arm

[ReefHog]

RH-F,

I just posted this to Dr. Ron and then thought it might be better suited here.

I just bought a new float valve for my aquarium evaporation makup and I have a question about it. The valve body is plastic but the float arm is brass. When the level in the sump is low the RO water trickles out of the plastic valve body dripppig into the sump. The problem is that it runs down a small (3/4") section of the float arm before actually dripping into the sump. I believe that brass consists of, at least partly, copper. Will this be a problem for a reef? If I can't use it for my reef, could I use it for my FOWLR which does not have corals but has a four inch sand bed?

Thanks for any advise.
Art

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Art:

It has a significant chance of being a problem in any tank with invertebrates. Here are three threads where we discuss the issue. The first is a brass part of an RO/DI system, and the problem is hypothetical. The next two have a brass part in a tank that apparently did cause a problem.

As I understand your system, the brass is above the sump water line. Even without the RO water running over it, it could still corrode with salt creep, salt spray, and condensation enough to possibly be a problem. Add the RO water, and it seems like a substantial risk to me.

If these threads don't answer your questions, just post them!

http://archive.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=53797

http://www.reefcentral.net/vbulleti...highlight=brass

http://www.reefcentral.net/vbulleti...highlight=brass

[ReefHog]

I could only get the first link to work. I noticed the person was concerned about the short brass nipple. He also stated that the RO water was despensed from a sink fixture. Ibelieve that most sink fixtures are brass anyway,are they not? I replace many sink fixtures at work and have yet to come across one that is not brass. They may look like chrome on the outside but the core is always brass. The color of the brass is more of a bronze color than a yellow color like the compression fittings are. If this is true then anyone who does not RO filter their water runs the risk of intraducing copper into their reefs.


http://home.attbi.com/~reefhog/images/float.jpg

Here is a diagram of the float in question. The brass float actually swings through the drain opening.

I think I will look for a better float to be on the safe side.

Thanks for your imput.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Art:

Yes, the links aren't working right. The connection that I have right now on vacation is marginal, and I can't fix them right now, but they are buried in the first thread too, and are worth reading (I hope they work there).

<< If this is true then anyone who does not RO filter their water runs the risk of intraducing copper into their reefs. >>

Yes, it is a big concern for anyone using tap water. I know some people who have measured large amounts of copper in their tap water, and selected RO/Di for that very reason.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here are the other two links, fixed (I hope).

http://www.reefcentral.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=53138&highlight=brass


http://www.reefcentral.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=53238&highlight=brass

[ReefHog]

Thanks for the info Randy,

What would be a good copper test kit. Most of my tests are Salfiert.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've never used a copper test kit, so I don't know.

Anyone want to recommend one?

FWIW, these kits are intended to read medication levels of copper for fish. Those levels may be far above the toxic levels for inverts, so if you see some, it is likely too much.