Stainless steel hose clamps.. reef safe?

NO!!! We tried this one in the past and they are absolutely NOT saltwater aquarium safe. The stainless steel brand we bought from Lowe's does fine when being hit with regular water, but it rusted out sitting over a sump tank for just a few months. I can only imagine what would have happened if we had actually put it in the sump, in contact with the water...

Use these instead (Plastic Hose Clamp). They secure hoses just as well as any metal hose clamp. If you use a pair of channel locks to tighten them, you can get them really tight.

 

Thanks for the info Mike!
That is what I needed to hear...

 

there is a reason a stainless steel shaft costs several dollars and a cheap hose clap is only .32 cents... keep them away from your tank, if for no other reason than being cautious

 

I could understand why some may be hesitant, but we have used the plastic clamps on all of our tanks at every hose barb connection point. If you place the plastic clamp between the barbs and really clamp it down, I don't see how the hose could come off. We haven't had one leak since we started using the plastic clamps. You just need to make sure you're using channel locks to get them really tight.

 

thats why i hard lined everything,didnt know if it was safe enuff

 

Haha ya... this is an even better idea

 

i just used a regular one from the store :x

nothing has happened so far

it has rusted though

 

PetSmart uses those plastic clamps exclusively for their plumbing. I can't recall if the connectors were ridged or not, but they hold really tight regardless.

 

Make sure it 18-8 or 300 series stainless (non magnetic).
Do not use 400 series stainless it will rust and it is magnetic. DO NOT USE if it will stick to a magnet it is ether 400 stainless or some part of it is nickel plated steel.