How to get rust off plastic?

[Seafan]

I have a metal hook in my 20g tank hood, I used that with a rubber band to fasten a Mini-jet powerhead, which kept coming off the glass. Over time the hook started to rust because of the salt water moisture, and I just noticed that rust went down to the powerhead through the rubberband, leaving some rust mark on the plastic of the powerhead. I couldn't get the rust off the powerhead with a brush. Any other way to salvage this powerhead? Would that amount of rust do any harm to the reef?

[naser]

im not sure if it would harm anything. you see nature shows were corals are growing on sunken ships.

[hcp28]

Have you tried hot water?
Yes reefs grow on sunken ships but that's in the big blue sea not in the small sometimes green closed system tanks we use. I'd try to get rid of the metal hook first then work on the powerhead.

Henry

[T3]

Can you try CLR (Calcium Lime Rust) remover? It's a liquid regularly advertised on TV...

[naser]

well i wasnt thinking it was alot of rust. just a rust stain on the plastic. if so id just get a razor and cut the top sliver of plastic.

[Seafan]

thanks for the tips folks, I'll try hot water or CLR. it's not much rust, and I have removed the powerhead and the hook as soon as I saw the rust mark. the picture of a sunken ship certainly helped to put my mind at ease

[naser]

just try to scrap it with a razor blade.. im sure if its just a stain its probably fine. ive seen people drop screws into reef with no problems.

[bertoni]

If you're desperate, you could try oxalic acid. If you do, try it on
a small piece first. I don't know of a good low-volume source,
unfortunately.