Can you put steel/stainless in the tank? e.g. make a sump.
Does it affect the chemistry of the water?

I'd say no, it will not effect the water if it's stainless.
A friend of mine made several of those for his ponds.
And his fish are huge and healthy.
I think i prefer glass though.

It won't effect the water chemistry and as long as it doesn't rust, I can't see it causing any problems. You're going to make a sump out of stainless steel? You really need to be able to see what's going on inside your sump, that is why most people use either a fish tank that has been adapted, or construct to sump out of the same material as aquariums.

Since it applies to this thread...I screwed two pieces of driftwood together to make my big piece in the center of my tank. Used steel screws...just 2 of them. Never thought of it but will this hurt anything? They are just small screws but never thought of them rusting really and hurting the fish. Should I take them out?

Noddy wrote:


i was think of making a coil denitrator out of a airtight biscuit tin. it would be easyer for me made from stainless.(as i weld stainless for a living)

ikkie78 wrote:


if there not stainless id def start thinkin about taking them out and replacing them with somthing abit more fish friendly, just my opinion tho matey

ikkie78 wrote:

Hello Ryan
I work in a metal fabrication shop.Mild steel(iron) will rust and galzanized or cadnium plated will oxidise and will be toxic. Stainless steel is impervious and can even be used in corrosive environments such as salt water.I even contemplated making an Aquarium from Stainless;with a glass front of course.You might want to change the screws to Stainless to be on the safe side.

Eric J.Twk. wrote:


I agree 100% Change those screws to stainless...

no.... even if not s/s and they corrode sometimes, it will be fine.

Ok...will change the screws right away! How could I not think of the rusting part! haha! Apparently too much on my mind!

@Eric...where do you work out of curiosity? I'm a metal fabricator as well for Pierce Mfg...Just asking because we have a plant down near you I believe.

Southern Erectors.We work on air pollution systems for power plants as well as industrial ductwork for the paper industry.

Eric J.Twk. wrote:


never knew there were actually people who got payed to pollute the air!