Where to but Acrylic Rods?

costa13 · 04/28/2007, 09:52 PM

What is the best place to purchase acrylic rods online? Also what size should I purchase if I am going to be using them to make pillars with my LR?
Thanks in advance

flyyyguy · 04/28/2007, 10:04 PM

I use these. You could use .5" or even 3/8" as well, as it is plenty strong enough, but i prefer ZERO flex.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

part # 8531K21

Then after you cut the individual rods to length, grind teeth in the top like this and they will stick to your rock like glue. No glue required.

Chebon · 04/28/2007, 10:13 PM

I know your question was about finding them online but I'd recommend looking in your local phone book under plastics and calling around, a lot of stores have a scraps bin. I made a pico and refugium for it out of scraps I found for less than $15 from 2 shops and saw varying thickness, lengths and even colors of rods, most for less than $.50 a piece.

flyyyguy · 04/28/2007, 11:07 PM

If the town he lives in is anything like mine........the local plastics shop charges $25 for the same 6 foot section of 3/4" cast acrylic rod that mcmaster-carr charges $9 for.

Im sure there is cheaper out there though.....just not near me

tom obrecht · 04/29/2007, 05:24 AM

If you are going to drill the rock and slip the rods into the rock try using fiberglass rod. I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot on the reflectors people use to mark their driveways. You can pick up a 3-4' piece for about $4 and you can easily cut it with a hacksaw. I used a regular 1/4" drillbit for the rock. Works great and saves money and time. Just my $.02.

costa13 · 04/29/2007, 10:20 AM

So fiberglass rods are reef safe? Also are they just as strong as acrylic rods?

flyyyguy · 04/29/2007, 10:34 AM

Fiberglass rods are plenty strong enough and reef safe. They just are more visible and you cant grind the teeth in them.

If you are planning on drilling the rock to make it work it doesnt matter whether you use the fiberglass or acrylic as much.

If you make a lift for your entire reef with the acrylic rods, no drilling required as the teeth behave nearly like they are drilled into it. You can just throw your rock down how you like. A little maneuvering to get the rocks to set right, but pretty much every rock will go in every place you want.

Ive used both methods and much prefer the acrylic although whether it be for a entire reef lift or drilling holes to attach two rocks together higher in the reef. There is no doubt the fiberglass is much cheaper.

costa13 · 04/29/2007, 11:05 AM

what do you mean that fiberglass rods are more visible?

flyyyguy · 04/29/2007, 11:26 AM

I mean that unless they are 100% covered in thick coralline, which usually doenst happen in the shaded spots we use these rods to either lift the entire reef, or to connect specific rocks together, the fiberglass rod still looks like pipe anywhere they are visible.

Is that a huge deal?? Maybe maybe not. It is to me, i dont like looking at any pipes anywhere in my displays.

Add that to the teeth thing I talked about and acrylic is way worth the extra money IMO.

costa13 · 04/29/2007, 11:28 AM

thanks

04/28/2007, 09:52 PM	#1
costa13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 250	Where to but Acrylic Rods? What is the best place to purchase acrylic rods online? Also what size should I purchase if I am going to be using them to make pillars with my LR? Thanks in advance __________________ GLORY! GLORY! Man United Click the Red House. Current Tank Info: 20T soon to be 150

04/28/2007, 10:04 PM	#2
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	I use these. You could use .5" or even 3/8" as well, as it is plenty strong enough, but i prefer ZERO flex. http://www.mcmaster.com/ part # 8531K21 Then after you cut the individual rods to length, grind teeth in the top like this and they will stick to your rock like glue. No glue required. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

04/28/2007, 11:07 PM	#4
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	If the town he lives in is anything like mine........the local plastics shop charges $25 for the same 6 foot section of 3/4" cast acrylic rod that mcmaster-carr charges $9 for. Im sure there is cheaper out there though.....just not near me __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

04/29/2007, 05:24 AM	#5
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	If you are going to drill the rock and slip the rods into the rock try using fiberglass rod. I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot on the reflectors people use to mark their driveways. You can pick up a 3-4' piece for about $4 and you can easily cut it with a hacksaw. I used a regular 1/4" drillbit for the rock. Works great and saves money and time. Just my $.02. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

04/29/2007, 10:20 AM	#6
costa13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 250	So fiberglass rods are reef safe? Also are they just as strong as acrylic rods? __________________ GLORY! GLORY! Man United Click the Red House. Current Tank Info: 20T soon to be 150

04/28/2007, 10:13 PM	#3
Chebon Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Broken Arrow Posts: 7	I know your question was about finding them online but I'd recommend looking in your local phone book under plastics and calling around, a lot of stores have a scraps bin. I made a pico and refugium for it out of scraps I found for less than $15 from 2 shops and saw varying thickness, lengths and even colors of rods, most for less than $.50 a piece.

04/29/2007, 10:34 AM	#7
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Fiberglass rods are plenty strong enough and reef safe. They just are more visible and you cant grind the teeth in them. If you are planning on drilling the rock to make it work it doesnt matter whether you use the fiberglass or acrylic as much. If you make a lift for your entire reef with the acrylic rods, no drilling required as the teeth behave nearly like they are drilled into it. You can just throw your rock down how you like. A little maneuvering to get the rocks to set right, but pretty much every rock will go in every place you want. Ive used both methods and much prefer the acrylic although whether it be for a entire reef lift or drilling holes to attach two rocks together higher in the reef. There is no doubt the fiberglass is much cheaper. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

04/29/2007, 11:05 AM	#8
costa13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 250	what do you mean that fiberglass rods are more visible? __________________ GLORY! GLORY! Man United Click the Red House. Current Tank Info: 20T soon to be 150

04/29/2007, 11:26 AM	#9
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	I mean that unless they are 100% covered in thick coralline, which usually doenst happen in the shaded spots we use these rods to either lift the entire reef, or to connect specific rocks together, the fiberglass rod still looks like pipe anywhere they are visible. Is that a huge deal?? Maybe maybe not. It is to me, i dont like looking at any pipes anywhere in my displays. Add that to the teeth thing I talked about and acrylic is way worth the extra money IMO. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

04/29/2007, 11:28 AM	#10
costa13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 250	thanks __________________ GLORY! GLORY! Man United Click the Red House. Current Tank Info: 20T soon to be 150