Mr. Microscope Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hello All, I haven't had any luck finding any egg crate at any local hardware stores. A friend of mine came across this: What do you think? I'm not sure about sticking this in my tank. I cut out pieces with a jewler's saw for the rack. Here they are: Do you think it's safe? Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Iffy, but I'd do it b/c I'm a risk taker. Link to comment
dickie52 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 for me.... not a chance. put it in a tub of saltwater for a month and then decide! Link to comment
wimby Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I think the chrome will come off don't do it Don't take the chance Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 It's not real chrome is it? Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 It's not real chrome is it? I'm not sure what it is. It's plastic with a shiny coat. Link to comment
mmelnick Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 It's not real chrome is it? I would be willing to bet that it is some form of plastic coating. However, it is more than likely just a coating and will peel off under the conditions of a salt water tank. My advice would be to shave off the coating and see what's under there. If it's the same as regular egg crate I'd throw it inthere and not worry about it. But a test in some salt water for a month would be a great idea. If it ends up peeling or covered in GHA or something then you'll know not to use it. Link to comment
moto826 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 looks cool i will let you be the Ginny pig and try it for a wile but i would set it in salt and see Link to comment
tcase420 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 DON'T PUT THAT IN YOUR TANK!!!! Yes it is real chrome, it's called electro-plated chrome. Depending on what country it was manufactured in, it may have an under coat with copper in it. Copper and Reef don't mix. Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 DON'T PUT THAT IN YOUR TANK!!!!Yes it is real chrome, it's called electro-plated chrome. Depending on what country it was manufactured in, it may have an under coat with copper in it. Copper and Reef don't mix. Yikes! Thanks! Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Normal egg crate can be found at your home depot or lowes. Lighting section called : lighting diffuser If you really have a hard time finding it PM me, I have lots of black egg crate to spare. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Electroplating plastic? Does not compute. Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Plastic car parts are chromed. History Channel just did Modern Marvels on it. They have to treat the plastic first before it will stick Link to comment
mmelnick Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Electroplating plastic? Does not compute. That's what I was thinking. Isn't the idead behind electroplating to run a charge through the object to be plated and allow the mineral to be plated to strip off of an anode of one material (the material to be palted) and deposit on the a cathode of whatever material is to be plated? Last time I checked plastic was not a conductive metal so i doubt that it's chrome. But still I would be careful. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I did a quick websearch and came up with a potential explanation: etch plastic with acid, deposit palladium by soaking, then electroplate in copper, chrome or another metal. Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 or watch history channel more Link to comment
mmelnick Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 or watch history channel more Yeah, I guess I missed that one. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I don't watch much TV at all, so I certainly missed it. I like "How It's Made" though. Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 DVR is the only way I am able to watch TV. How it's made, factory made etc all rule and give me ideas. Link to comment
mmelnick Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 DVR is the only way I am able to watch TV. How it's made, factory made etc all rule and give me ideas. We are all a bunch of geeks aren't we? Those are a few of my favorite shows. Link to comment
cruiZe Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 they can electro plate anything. especially plastic. the charge is in the solution, not the part itself. It is usally a 3 step process as others stated. First copper plating, then nickel, then chrome. You don't want any of that in your reef. +1 to geeks Link to comment
StevieT Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 I was a jock but played with legos. I will never admit geek I just like building #### Link to comment
Mojorizn Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 the charge is in the solution, not the part itself. Then can you explain how it "sticks"? If the solution is positively charged, isn't the "object" negatively charged...to create an attraction? That's my understanding at least. Link to comment
YankeePete Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 That chrome eggcrate is not reef safe. You can chrome most anything these days. To chrome plastic you just have a different process to follow verses lets say a engine valve cover. The first step with plastic is an electro-less process after that it's more or less like chroming a bumper. And yes the charge goes through the part being chromed. Link to comment
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