Where to get acrylic rods

Chelsey · 01/04/2008, 02:12 PM

I'm working on a 100 gallon cube and I'm getting all new rock. I've read on various threads about using acrylic rods to support cool rock structures so that they don't come toppling down and kill everything, but I'm not sure where to get them. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Chelsey

reefkeeper135 · 01/04/2008, 02:17 PM

Try looking in a craft store, or hobby shop.

Chelsey · 01/04/2008, 02:39 PM

How thick should they be?

SCR · 01/04/2008, 02:51 PM

You can also use arrow shafts, from sporting good store.

scbadiver · 01/04/2008, 03:00 PM

Hey Chelsey, The REAL acrylic rods are pretty expensive but I have used the thick plastic coat hangers before with no problems and they are available anywhere and really cheap.

hahnmeister · 01/04/2008, 03:48 PM

Its not that expensive... just buy direct from tap, mcmaster, or us plastics... tap sells a 5/8"x6' clear rod for $7, mcmaster is the same.

old salty · 01/04/2008, 03:57 PM

I purchased 1/2 inch fiberglass rods from McMaster Carr. You'll probably pay more for the shipping than the rods themselves.

NanoGurl · 01/04/2008, 10:30 PM

Link

Would those work? What thickness?

shootist · 01/04/2008, 10:34 PM

I use rigid airline tubing from LFS,very cheap.

SDguy · 01/04/2008, 11:21 PM

I used 3/8" clear acrylic rod with a 1/2" masonary bit to make the holes. Worked like a charm. Super cheap materials.

I found the acrylic bases (if you choose to use bases, instead of just using a piece of live rock) to be the most expensive. 1/2" thick acrylic sheets and discs aren't cheap. Instead, I just bought multiple thinner discs, and glued them together. Again, worked great, and cheap. Weldon 16 for glue.

trmiv · 01/05/2008, 12:12 AM

I used 3/8" rod from us plastics. I also ordered 1/2" rod, but I didn't end up using it. Maybe on a future upgrade.

hahnmeister · 01/05/2008, 01:20 AM

Thats the stuff nanogurl. I use acrylic so I can bond it to 1/4" acrylic flat plates under the sand.

I use 5/8"OD, 3/8" ID extruded pipe. I also have 3/8", but depending on the length and weight of the pieces, you might want to stick with something thicker.

OR, you can use other materials. There were some neoprene and other style rods at the local plastics distributor that seemed very strong and only 3/8" diameter (steel would be easier to bend). But if you use other materials, mounting might not be as easy. I suppose, you could always drill and tap out some threaded holes for the rods... but you might need a thicker base material.

old salty · 01/05/2008, 01:46 AM

Placing a large rock at the bottom may negate having to use any base material. Just be sure to have the rock sitting somewhat flat before you drill it. It also doesn't hurt to drill several holes in different directions.

NanoGurl · 01/05/2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
Thats the stuff nanogurl. I use acrylic so I can bond it to 1/4" acrylic flat plates under the sand.

I use 5/8"OD, 3/8" ID extruded pipe. I also have 3/8", but depending on the length and weight of the pieces, you might want to stick with something thicker.

OR, you can use other materials. There were some neoprene and other style rods at the local plastics distributor that seemed very strong and only 3/8" diameter (steel would be easier to bend). But if you use other materials, mounting might not be as easy. I suppose, you could always drill and tap out some threaded holes for the rods... but you might need a thicker base material.

Okay thanks for the info. Do you think by any chance thinner pieces of PVC pipe might work?

NanoGurl · 01/05/2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by old salty
Placing a large rock at the bottom may negate having to use any base material. Just be sure to have the rock sitting somewhat flat before you drill it. It also doesn't hurt to drill several holes in different directions.

That's what I was planning to do... use rocks for the base I think. Thank you.

hahnmeister · 01/05/2008, 02:17 PM

1/2" PVC is pretty strong. CPVC may or may not work... it has a thinner wall. Sure, it could be enough... just depends on how much stress you put on it. It could work though.

By far though, there are some 3/8" rods that the local plastics shop gets in that are very very strong though. I cant break them (12"-18" long) with my bare hands. That stuff would rock. I have a bunch of them... never thought of using it though because it wont bond to much... but maybe if I thread it instead... hmmm....

NanoGurl · 01/05/2008, 09:15 PM

Well I was just thinking PVC bc I am only working with light pieces of rock.. it wouldn't be large or like suspended over the sand bed... just basically to add strength to a "tower." I like the acrylic rods but if PVC works just as good I might try that. I'll have to see how strong it is at the right size.

reefworm · 01/05/2008, 09:34 PM

how about replacement adjusting/tilt rods for mini-blinds? Picked some up quite cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot [can't remember which now]. They have a star-shaped cross-section which seemed to grip well in the drilled holes. About 5/8" in dia. and they've done rather well holding up sizeable pieces that would tumble otherwise.

01/04/2008, 02:12 PM	#1
Chelsey Clownfish Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,031	Where to get acrylic rods I'm working on a 100 gallon cube and I'm getting all new rock. I've read on various threads about using acrylic rods to support cool rock structures so that they don't come toppling down and kill everything, but I'm not sure where to get them. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks! Chelsey __________________ Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. Current Tank Info: 100 gallon cube, 28 gallon snowflake tank, 2500 gallon broodstock system

01/04/2008, 02:39 PM	#3
Chelsey Clownfish Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,031	How thick should they be? __________________ Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. Current Tank Info: 100 gallon cube, 28 gallon snowflake tank, 2500 gallon broodstock system

01/04/2008, 03:00 PM	#5
scbadiver Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,327	Hey Chelsey, The REAL acrylic rods are pretty expensive but I have used the thick plastic coat hangers before with no problems and they are available anywhere and really cheap. __________________ Robbie "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." --Dr. Seuss Current Tank Info: 240 reef. 3 250w MH.VHO actinics.135sump/fuge.all DIY

01/04/2008, 03:57 PM	#7
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I purchased 1/2 inch fiberglass rods from McMaster Carr. You'll probably pay more for the shipping than the rods themselves. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

01/04/2008, 11:21 PM	#10
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I used 3/8" clear acrylic rod with a 1/2" masonary bit to make the holes. Worked like a charm. Super cheap materials. I found the acrylic bases (if you choose to use bases, instead of just using a piece of live rock) to be the most expensive. 1/2" thick acrylic sheets and discs aren't cheap. Instead, I just bought multiple thinner discs, and glued them together. Again, worked great, and cheap. Weldon 16 for glue. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

01/04/2008, 02:17 PM	#2
reefkeeper135 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yuma Arizona Posts: 531	Try looking in a craft store, or hobby shop.

01/04/2008, 02:51 PM	#4
SCR Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central, Fl Posts: 708	You can also use arrow shafts, from sporting good store.

01/04/2008, 03:48 PM	#6
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Its not that expensive... just buy direct from tap, mcmaster, or us plastics... tap sells a 5/8"x6' clear rod for $7, mcmaster is the same.

01/04/2008, 10:30 PM	#8
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Link Would those work? What thickness?

01/04/2008, 10:34 PM	#9
shootist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Indy Posts: 168	I use rigid airline tubing from LFS,very cheap.

01/05/2008, 12:12 AM	#11
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	I used 3/8" rod from us plastics. I also ordered 1/2" rod, but I didn't end up using it. Maybe on a future upgrade. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

01/05/2008, 01:20 AM	#12
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Thats the stuff nanogurl. I use acrylic so I can bond it to 1/4" acrylic flat plates under the sand. I use 5/8"OD, 3/8" ID extruded pipe. I also have 3/8", but depending on the length and weight of the pieces, you might want to stick with something thicker. OR, you can use other materials. There were some neoprene and other style rods at the local plastics distributor that seemed very strong and only 3/8" diameter (steel would be easier to bend). But if you use other materials, mounting might not be as easy. I suppose, you could always drill and tap out some threaded holes for the rods... but you might need a thicker base material.

01/05/2008, 01:46 AM	#13
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	Placing a large rock at the bottom may negate having to use any base material. Just be sure to have the rock sitting somewhat flat before you drill it. It also doesn't hurt to drill several holes in different directions. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

01/05/2008, 02:17 PM	#16
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	1/2" PVC is pretty strong. CPVC may or may not work... it has a thinner wall. Sure, it could be enough... just depends on how much stress you put on it. It could work though. By far though, there are some 3/8" rods that the local plastics shop gets in that are very very strong though. I cant break them (12"-18" long) with my bare hands. That stuff would rock. I have a bunch of them... never thought of using it though because it wont bond to much... but maybe if I thread it instead... hmmm....

01/05/2008, 09:15 PM	#17
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Well I was just thinking PVC bc I am only working with light pieces of rock.. it wouldn't be large or like suspended over the sand bed... just basically to add strength to a "tower." I like the acrylic rods but if PVC works just as good I might try that. I'll have to see how strong it is at the right size.

01/05/2008, 09:34 PM	#18
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	how about replacement adjusting/tilt rods for mini-blinds? Picked some up quite cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot [can't remember which now]. They have a star-shaped cross-section which seemed to grip well in the drilled holes. About 5/8" in dia. and they've done rather well holding up sizeable pieces that would tumble otherwise. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school