Paper clip dropped in tank

[gobie1313]

Too my stupidity I was trying to get an impeller moving that was stuck . I was using a small paper clip and accidentally dropped into the rock work.
It cannot be retrieved, I don’t even know where to begin to look. It’s a 125 reef with mostly leathers,
Shrooms, plays . Nothing high end. Should I be worried?

 

[MrX]

Got an extra magnet lying around? Run it around the general area, maybe you'll get lucky.

 

[gobie1313]

Was thinking bout that, but its a needle in a hay stack. Based on the size of the paper clip and water volume do I need to worry ?

 

[afboundguy]

Got an extra magnet lying around? Run it around the general area, maybe you'll get lucky.

This was my first thought as well. Try using a magnet from a glass scraper/cleaner if you have one. Even if it's a needle in a hay stack you should still be able to snag it as I would guess it would have dropped straight down.

 

[gobie1313]

If I can’t find it .
Do you think anything serious can happen?

 

[gobyvin]

I think you should be ok. Luckily it is small. A little rust happens on some common stainless aquarium components, like impeller shafts. As long as you are not a no water change person, I would think it should be fine. Just keep up maintenance.

 

[gobie1313]

I think you should be ok. Luckily it is small. A little rust happens on some common stainless aquarium components, like impeller shafts. As long as you are not a no water change person, I would think it should be fine. Just keep up maintenance.

Thank you for the response

 

[gobyvin]

No problem! Red GFO is rust anyway...

 

[dz6t]

Paper clips are generally made from galvanized steel wire. It will rust, then you have a micro phosphate remover, for a limited time. Then it will be covered with all sorts of marine organisms like those sunken aircraft carrier.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Not likely to be an issue with a tank that size. Particularly in a health reef system.

 

[NHreefer]

from the internet.

Seawater contains approximately 1-3 ppb of iron. The amount varies strongly, and is different in the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Rivers contain approximately 0.5-1 ppm of iron, and groundwater contains 100 ppm.

I think it will just rust and turn into iron oxide. just guessing.

 

[Chrisnnemo]

Obviously as prior ppl have stated not to worry, I figured Id just throw out there that you can buy flexible magnet tools that are like 2' long that are typically used for retrieving bolts, wrenches, and other metal objects when dropped in hard to reach places when working on vehicles. You can get one for around$15 and it lifts 8lbs.

 

[Alex Bonanno]

As long as you do water changes it should be fine. Let's say the paper clip is 1 gram and your tank volume is 125 gallons or 473 liters. If the whole paper clip dissolved as soon as you dropped it would add about 2 mg/L or 2 ppm of zinc, iron, and carbon to your tank. Galvanized steel is zinc plated steel. Steal is just iron and carbon. Steal is typically 25% carbon which is harmless. The remaining 75%, zinc, and iron are both beneficial to reefs at low concentrations typically a few ppb. It will likely take the paper clip years to completely corrode away slowly leaching small amounts of zinc and iron into your aquarium. If you do consistent water changes it will help remove the metals and dilute their concentrations in your tank. Another preventative measure would be to run filter media that remove heavy metals such as Brightwell Aquatics Purit. You could also use an ICP test to see your iron and zinc concentrations at any point if you are worried about it but its probably not necessary.

 

[this is me]

I would have gutted the tank to find it and take it out.
But that's just me.
However, if you give me 3 months, I wouldn't be able to recall that I've dropped it in the tank.