Metal nut in RO/DI holding tank...

[jarice1978]

Hello,

Let me just say that I have had issues with my tank for a while now(over a year). Mostly hair algae and snails dieing. I have another post on here explaining the whole thing but I can't seem to find it right now

I created a holding container with a spicket on it from a 30 gallon trash can. I went to the hardware store and purchased a plastic spicket that was threaded. I drilled a hole in the can and threaded it through. To secure it on the other side, the only thing that the hardware store had that would fit was a large METAL NUT. I have been using this holding tank for probably 2 years. I never thought about it but today when I was emptying the can I noticed that this metal nut looks corroded and even has a little rust on it.

Could this be the cause of my snail problems? Shrimp problems? Even algae problems?

Just wanted to ask as soon as possible so I can fix the issue now rather than wait to find my other post...

Thanks,

Adam

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

I am suspecting that you found the problem, so get rid of that metal nut as soon as possible and your snails and shrimp will live their full life now remembering your water quality is at risk here with the rust getting into the display tank is not good. get rid of the metal nut quik, hope this helps...

[bertoni]

I'd also run some PolyFilters. They can remove metals like copper and zinc, which are very toxic in reefs.

What invertebrates have done well, if any?

[AZDesertRat]

You should be able to find a plastic threaded nut in the electrical conduit section at the hardware. It may take a bit of filing but they use then to screw on the ends of metal conduit to cover the sharp threads so they don't skin wire.

[jarice1978]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have removed the nut and threw it as far as I could!

I also just ordered polyfilters and copper and iron test kits.


Hopefully this will solve these problems. I have been racking my brain on this for almost 2 years! You name it, I have tried it!

Cross your fingers!



Thanks again,

Adam

[jarice1978]

Forgot to mention.

Hermit crabs seem to do well.

All other crabs do not do well.

Almost all snails die. Except for this one snail that stays under the sand for the most part except when I feed then it comes out occasionally. I have had this snail for about 2 years. I forgot what kind it is. Not a conch. Maybe some kind of cowrie???

Shrimp also do not do well. Lost a fire, and a skunk cleaner shrimp.


I have a few softie corals in the tank. Within last 6 months I watched all of my green star polyps die off. It was the only coral that completely went away...

I have 2 kinds of xenia
yellow leather
kenya tree
purple mushrooms



Adam

[bertoni]

Oh, well, that could be metal poisoning. If just the snails were dying, I'd suspect starvation.