Where to get AcrylicRods for Aquascaping

reidcrandall · 05/13/2009, 12:03 PM

Acrylic rods... anyone know any stores that carry them? I don't really want to have to order them online if I don't have to.

reidcrandall · 05/13/2009, 12:11 PM

and what diameter should I be using?

IslandCrow · 05/13/2009, 12:14 PM

I ordered some from TAP Plastics not too long ago. I'm afraid I've never used the for Aquascaping, though, so I can help you with the diameter.

brdracing · 05/13/2009, 12:18 PM

For aquascaping I alwayed used Graphite rods. The cheapest place is Lowes; I use the Reflectors that go at the end of drivesway. They have a 1/4inch rod that they attach to and are only 3bucks for 3ft.

reidcrandall · 05/13/2009, 12:20 PM

Interesting. Do you know if they sell the rods without the reflectors?

I assume you just use a hacksaw to cut them?

brdracing · 05/13/2009, 12:26 PM

I think they do at some stores but it was cheaper to buy them with the reflectors and then cut them off with a Hacksaw.

tufacody · 05/13/2009, 12:51 PM

another idea are the thick plastic coathangers

Blazer88 · 05/13/2009, 01:17 PM

I used 3/8" acrylic rods from Taps Plastics, they worked out great and a 3/8" masonry bit was dirt cheap.

VacavilleFC3S · 05/13/2009, 03:39 PM

yup tapplastics is the best place

mille239 · 05/13/2009, 03:50 PM

I used 1/2" acrylic rods from www.usplastics.com

detroit_fan · 05/13/2009, 08:32 PM

i used usplastics.

davocean · 05/13/2009, 08:56 PM

I used 1/2" rods, 5/8" masonry bit(cheapo).
I personally prefer the acrylic cause it's easy to heat and bend them, and I can make very stable by mounting to flat acrylic panels w/ weldon #16

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 09:01 PM

Marco rock carries them for cheap.

davocean · 05/13/2009, 09:07 PM

I heat rods and make a V to mount to a base.
Zip ties hold in place till weldon cures.

Then you can stack arches/caves together that hold very solid.
I just cut off extra acrylic w/ a dremel after stacking, and can pick up in one piece and place in tank.

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/14/2009, 08:58 AM

^^^ Very cool, thanks for the pics. Do you have any of them in the tank?

davocean · 05/14/2009, 02:02 PM

Reason to be a photo whore?!
Well, YEAH!LOL
Those rocks just went into my new Solana XL67g, so this is still pretty fresh, and a lil washed from flash.
I need to update soon, I have a bit more in there now, but here ya go for now.
I also have my 180g scapes in gallery.

davocean · 05/14/2009, 02:05 PM

reidcrandall · 05/14/2009, 04:22 PM

Well then... It looks like I will be ordering online.

05/13/2009, 12:11 PM	#2
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	and what diameter should I be using? __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress

05/13/2009, 12:14 PM	#3
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I ordered some from TAP Plastics not too long ago. I'm afraid I've never used the for Aquascaping, though, so I can help you with the diameter. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

05/13/2009, 12:20 PM	#5
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	Interesting. Do you know if they sell the rods without the reflectors? I assume you just use a hacksaw to cut them? __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress

05/13/2009, 03:50 PM	#10
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	I used 1/2" acrylic rods from www.usplastics.com __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

05/13/2009, 08:32 PM	#11
detroit_fan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 843	i used usplastics. __________________ Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. B.Franklin We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home-T.Jefferson Current Tank Info: 125g & 29g

05/13/2009, 12:03 PM	#1
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	Where to get AcrylicRods for Aquascaping Acrylic rods... anyone know any stores that carry them? I don't really want to have to order them online if I don't have to. __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress

05/13/2009, 12:18 PM	#4
brdracing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 299	For aquascaping I alwayed used Graphite rods. The cheapest place is Lowes; I use the Reflectors that go at the end of drivesway. They have a 1/4inch rod that they attach to and are only 3bucks for 3ft.

05/13/2009, 12:26 PM	#6
brdracing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 299	I think they do at some stores but it was cheaper to buy them with the reflectors and then cut them off with a Hacksaw.

05/13/2009, 12:51 PM	#7
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	another idea are the thick plastic coathangers

05/13/2009, 01:17 PM	#8
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	I used 3/8" acrylic rods from Taps Plastics, they worked out great and a 3/8" masonry bit was dirt cheap.

05/13/2009, 03:39 PM	#9
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	yup tapplastics is the best place

05/13/2009, 08:56 PM	#12
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I used 1/2" rods, 5/8" masonry bit(cheapo). I personally prefer the acrylic cause it's easy to heat and bend them, and I can make very stable by mounting to flat acrylic panels w/ weldon #16 __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/13/2009, 09:01 PM	#13
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	Marco rock carries them for cheap.

05/13/2009, 09:07 PM	#14
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I heat rods and make a V to mount to a base. Zip ties hold in place till weldon cures. Then you can stack arches/caves together that hold very solid. I just cut off extra acrylic w/ a dremel after stacking, and can pick up in one piece and place in tank. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/14/2009, 08:58 AM	#15
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	^^^ Very cool, thanks for the pics. Do you have any of them in the tank? __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

05/14/2009, 02:02 PM	#16
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Reason to be a photo whore?! Well, YEAH!LOL Those rocks just went into my new Solana XL67g, so this is still pretty fresh, and a lil washed from flash. I need to update soon, I have a bit more in there now, but here ya go for now. I also have my 180g scapes in gallery. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/14/2009, 02:05 PM	#17
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	__________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/14/2009, 04:22 PM	#18
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	Well then... It looks like I will be ordering online. __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress