Aluminum in aquariums?????

[octopi76]

Does aluminum have the same effect as copper on octopuses? The reason I'm asking is because I have a cooler I found for my tank that has an aluminum coil set-up. Can some one give me some advise? Will this work? Thanks !!!!

 

[J.Scott]

Aluminium is toxic to marines, it will soon corrode in saltwater. I would advise against using it. Aluminium could also cause problems with low pH if I recall correctly.

Jason Scott

 

[cthulhu77]

a good marine chiller should have shielded alum. coils...check to see if they are coated! Otherwise, it will kill everything in short order!

 

[rrtanton]

What IS the deal with aluminum? I do recall something about coating gill surfaces, but I think that was in freshwater fish...

rusty

 

[cthulhu77]

aluminium

aluminium breaks down slightly in saltwater, even though it doesn't rust, in a small environment like a tank it becomes deadly for inverts...thats why they usually coat any alum parts in working pumps, etc. It doesn't effect vertebrates that much, so often a dealer will sell a standard chiller to an invert keeper innocently. That is why it pays to shop at a local store where they keep reef tanks, and know what they are doing...

 

[robind]

I know this thread is 5 years old, but I've found myself in a similar situation. Does anyone know what coatings can be used on aluminum to render is safe for a marine aquarium?