Does Nickel react with SW?

[Shroom King]

I am building a DYI Kalk reactor, and the plans I've looked at suggest an air purge valve on the top of the reactor. John Geisler's plans suggest using a chrome valve rather than a plastic one because of leakage problems. The only one I've found matching the picture in his plans is at Aquatic Ecosystems, but is nickel plated, not chrome plated. Is this ok?? I'm wondering if the one he used is in fact nickel and not chrome. If anyone knows if this is ok, or where to find an actual "chrome" one, it would complete my project. Thanks!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

This valve gets exposed to limewater, not salt water, right?

Nickel ion is less soluble than chromium ion at pH above 8.0 (about 100 times less soluble at limewater pH), and will likely be OK in this application. Nickel is, however, potentially toxic, so there is a risk of delivering excess nickel to the aquarium even if the valve seems basically OK. The same could be said for chromium.

[Shroom King]

Yes, lime water. I think I'll try the plastic valve to be on the safe"er" side. Thanks!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That sounds good. :)

Good luck!