How Toxic are Metals?

[Sir Alex]

I use a regular utility pump to mix the salt in my water changes. I noticed that one of the screws is getting rusty. How bad is this? I can try and find a new screw.

 

[ccCapt]

Rust won't hurt anything, but I would look to replace the screws with good stainless steel screws.
GFO is granular ferric oxide....aka rust. :)

 

[Salty B]

Ferric oxide is the rusting of an element called hematite which is most common in iron. The screws are probably steel which is iron with elements such as carbon,manganese,silicon,chromium and molybdenum added. Wether or not these chemicals could be leaching into the water would depend on the severity of the rust. I agree on the stainless screws. Not worth the risk IMO.

 

[Sir Alex]

Okay, thanks guys. I'll try to get a replacement screw.