Is Aluminium Aquarium Safe

[Plecc]

Hi,

One of my friends would like to use some aluminium engine components like pistons and con-rods as decor for his tank.

Would the Aluminium be a problem?

The tank will be freshwater rather than salt, not sure if this makes a difference.

 

[Aquascaper]

In general yes however some aluminium alloys may cause issues (not sure which ones if any but anything likely to corrode if submerged in water permanently).

If you're planning on putting anything like what you suggest in an aquarium make sure it is perfectly clean as any chemical residue such as oil, grease, petroleum, etc. could wipe out the tank.

 

[spongy]

Hi,

One of my friends would like to use some aluminium engine components like pistons and con-rods as decor for his tank.

Would the Aluminium be a problem?

The tank will be freshwater rather than salt, not sure if this makes a difference.

Are you sure pistons and con rods etc are actually aluminium? they are very hard working parts in an engine and aluminium is a very soft, weak metal.

Aluminium will corrode in water, there are grades out there that dont but it is virtually impossible to tell what grade it is from a finished component, unless you know who made it and ask them what grade they made it out of.

Stainless steel could go into a tank but it has to be 316 grade that does not corrode. Again impossible to tell what grade it is by looking at it...

 

[thereverendturtle]

Aluminum used on pistons and connecting rods are generally forged billet aluminum and won't corrode, but those would be VERY expensive fish tank decorations. There are cheaper parts made from cast aluminum, not safe, as most of these contain other metals to make the aluminum harder.