can you coat metal to make it not rust?

[fungia]

i have some metal braces in my stand and it is beginning to rust. is there something i can put on it to make it not corrode? i dont think the braces are important but if i can prevent the rust i will do it. or do you think i should just stay away from metal? tia

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on the material of the braces, you can either galvinize, anodize, or powder-coat it. Even simply paint the braces before they are instead also will help with this greatly.

 

[Anonymous]

no matter what you do, w/constant exposure to salt water and heat, all metal will rust sooner or later


why not non metal braces ?

 

[Anonymous]

The point of some of those methods is to prevent the contact/exposure of the metal to the elements.

 

[Anonymous]

prevent, or delay ? :wink:

 

[mutley29]

Galvanising the steel will prevent rust corrosion for some time, as will powder coating which would be rather expensive for just a couple of braces, the change between corrosive salt water to air causes the quickest corrosion, if kept dry steel will rust, very slowly steel kept submerged will corrode slowly, but quicker than if left dry in air due to oxygen in the water.
Try and replace the braces with either marine grade stainless 316 or aluminium, it will degrade over time but by then you'll probably have a bigger tank (sorry thinking out loud again)

Stainless steel requires 5 times more energy to cut/bend or drill than carbon steel.

HTH

Anton

That Metalurgy qualification did come in handy after all,LOL

 

[kim]

Paint it, using a variety designed to adhere to metal.

What is so complicated ?

kim

 

[Anonymous]

I am planning to build a wooden stand soon becuae My metal one is rusting badly. I am going to use treated wood and maybe paint it.

 

[Chris A H]

I wouldn't worry about using treated wood. i'd paint it instead with a good quality alkyd paint over a quality acrylic primer. Try to paint all of the edges, etc. where water could get in.

Right now I've got a stand under my eight year old daughters brackish tank. When we go down from 60 hours a week to 40 the plan is for a nice oak stand.

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Isn't treat wood is mostly work against the insect and molddrew? I don't think there is any need to use treated wood for this hobby if you have proper coating/finishing.

>...prevent, or delay ?

There is no such thing as true prevention, but if the delay is long enough for the life of the tank/hobby, then it is good enough. I know this is not a very proactive point of view.