Has anybody used acrylic rods for there LR?

[mapleredta]

I'm about to order some rods online and the one's im looking at are 1/4". Just curious if I should purchase that size or get a bigger/smaller diameter.

 

[eric b]

I have read on other sites and on RC that people do use acrylic rods but a bunch are using fiberglass rods purchased from Mcmaster Carr. I think you can get it in 5' sections and it is a little stiffer than the acrylic rod.

 

[weaglereefer]

Plastic coat hangers usually run $1 a dozen, and you get a long straight side and 2 short straight sides per hanger, and they're available in a variety of colors.

 

[mapleredta]

au01st;394351 wrote: Plastic coat hangers usually run $1 a dozen, and you get a long straight side and 2 short straight sides per hanger, and they're available in a variety of colors.

I never thought about that. They're not the strongest thing though.

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, I guess it depends on how you're going to stack. I have a few pieces attached by 6" sections. I just found a way I liked the rocks, drilled into both sides, then stuck aquamend and superglue in the hole and attached the rocks. I guess if you were making towers you'd want something stronger and in longer pieces. However, I don't think 1/4" acrylic would be strong enough to support rock in long pieces. I think shorter pieces would do better.

 

[mapleredta]

au01st;394358 wrote: Yeah, I guess it depends on how you're going to stack. I have a few pieces attached by 6" sections. I just found a way I liked the rocks, drilled into both sides, then stuck aquamend and superglue in the hole and attached the rocks. I guess if you were making towers you'd want something stronger and in longer pieces. However, I don't think 1/4" acrylic would be strong enough to support rock in long pieces. I think shorter pieces would do better.

Yeah just realized that too. Think ill do a 1/2".

 

[mojo]

Have you ever tried to drill into live rock? It's not easy, and makes a huge mess. I suppose if you're drilling dry rock, it might be easier, but I couldn't make much headway, even with a serious drill and a masonry bit...

 

[mapleredta]

mojo;394371 wrote: Have you ever tried to drill into live rock? It's not easy, and makes a huge mess. I suppose if you're drilling dry rock, it might be easier, but I couldn't make much headway, even with a serious drill and a masonry bit...

No, never tried. That was my next question.

 

[weaglereefer]

I found that the stuff I purchased as live rock from the LFS in ATL drilled very easily with a masonry bit (almost like a knife through butter), while the base rock I purchased dry seemed harder than the bit. I guess it would be helpful to get very porous rock and use a drill press.

 

[mojo]

Maybe that was it - the rock I was trying on was pretty dense.

I thought about the drill press, but since I was moving wet rock between tanks, I didn't want to get saltwater all over my drill press... I have enough rusted tools!

Take pictures if it works out.... I'd like to know the secret!

 

[weaglereefer]

Ha, yeah. I have a few "throwaway" drills and didn't mind getting one a little salty.

If you do drill live wet rock, make sure to have a rinse bucket before putting it back in the tank or it will look like a bomb went off and be cloudy for days. Ask me how I know...

 

[snowmansnow]

mojo;394371 wrote: Have you ever tried to drill into live rock? It's not easy, and makes a huge mess. I suppose if you're drilling dry rock, it might be easier, but I couldn't make much headway, even with a serious drill and a masonry bit...

CAREFULLY use a hammer drill with a masonary bit. I have done this with success before to make holes for frag plugs in my rockwork.

If you're going to go pretty deep into the rock use 3 bits.. start small.. and gradually work up to your target size... it will help avoid cracking n such.

GL

 

[mapleredta]

I'm going to be ordering some Macro rock.

 

[mojo]

Yup - tried the hammer drill and staging the bits.... I ended up using acrylic rods, but only to hold up the arches.

 

[basscyn]

I use fiberglass rods for the heavier stuff. Go to HD or lowes in the mailbox dept. The white rods with the orange reflectors on them. Sometimes you can just buy the rods. Otherwise just toss the reflector. I think they are 3/8. Spend some bucks on a good quality drill bit and keep it rinsed and dry it off with a hair dryer or something when you are done.

I like the coat hanger idea too!!

 

[stickx911]

I used pvc to boost up some of my rock in places. It's not the prettiest if you don't do it right, but it gets covered in coraline pretty quick, and no drilling....just a thought

 

[theplatypus]

A hammer drill and masonry bit will do the job.

 

[james s_]

I used 3/8" rods in my tank, I wouldnt trust anything smaller.....I believe 1/2" would be way too big.

 

[skriz]

I drilled my rock very easily; then again, I have good rock.

I have a ton of acrylic rod left if you want some. I'll have to check what thickness it is, but it held my monster rock, so I'm sure it'll hold just fine.

 

[markl]

marco rocks sells threaded rods and nuts .