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Hey everyone, I've been dealing with brass anchor failures in my Texas pool for two seasons now. The corrosion is insane - I'm replacing anchors every 6 months! As someone who values durability in all my equipment (from Crossfit gear to pool hardware), I'm convinced brass just can't handle the Texas heat and chemicals. **Has anyone made the switch to stainless steel anchors?** I'm looking at 316 stainless specifically. The initial cost is higher, but if it lasts 5x longer, it's worth the investment. Also considering different installation methods - maybe epoxy anchoring instead of mechanical?

LadderLord - I feel your pain! Fellow Crossfitter here who's been through this exact struggle. Brass anchors are like those cheap kettlebells that chip after a month - they just don't hold up under real stress. **I switched to 304 stainless anchors 3 years ago** and haven't looked back. The key is proper installation. I used a two-part epoxy system designed for underwater applications. Pro tip: clean the hole thoroughly with compressed air before installing. The brass-to-stainless transition eliminated 90% of my maintenance headaches. Yes, it cost more upfront, but think of it like investing in quality barbells versus cheap ones that bend.

Interesting discussion! As someone more focused on culinary applications, I can't help but draw parallels to kitchen equipment. Brass in a pool environment is like using reactive copper pans for acidic foods - it just doesn't work long-term. **Have you considered titanium anchors?** I know it's more expensive, but in marine applications (which pools essentially are), titanium outperforms even stainless in corrosion resistance. Also, what about the chemical balance of your pool? If your pH is off, even stainless will corrode eventually. Maybe the solution involves both better materials AND better water chemistry management?

SunSoaker49 - Great analogy with the kettlebells! That epoxy installation method sounds solid. Did you notice any issues with expansion/contraction in the Texas heat? I'm worried about cracking. ChlorineQueen - Titanium is interesting but probably overkill for my residential pool. You make a good point about water chemistry though. My pH tends to run slightly acidic (7.2-7.4), which might be accelerating the corrosion. **What's your ideal chemical balance for anchor longevity?** I'm tracking this like I track my macros - need to optimize both the hardware AND the environment.

LadderLord - No cracking issues with the epoxy, but I made sure to use a flexible marine-grade product. The Texas heat does cause expansion, but the epoxy has enough give. **Regarding water chemistry:** I keep my pH between 7.4-7.6 and alkalinity around 100-120 ppm. Higher alkalinity acts as a buffer. Also, watch your chlorine levels - too high and it'll attack even stainless over time. ChlorineQueen - While titanium would be the 'filet mignon' of anchors, most of us are working with 'grass-fed beef' budgets! Stainless gets you 90% of the benefit at 50% of the cost. The material science here is similar to choosing between different grades of stainless steel cookware.

SunSoaker49 - Fair point about cost! In cooking, we call that the 'diminishing returns' principle. **For those considering stainless, remember that not all stainless is equal.** 316 has molybdenum for better chloride resistance (important in pools), while 304 is more common but slightly less resistant. It's like comparing different grades of chef's knives. LadderLord - Your pH range is actually decent. The bigger issue might be total dissolved solids (TDS). When TDS gets too high, it accelerates galvanic corrosion. Have you tested your TDS recently? Sometimes partial water replacement helps more than chasing perfect pH.