Acrylic rod alternatives?

[kwjones]

I've been doing lots of reading and have seen some unique aquascaping lately. My rocks have been cooking for the past 8-9 weeks and I'm ready to start planning my new aquascaping and would like to build some solid pillars using a combination of epoxy and a single internal rod running from top to bottom for support. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find 1/2" acrylic rods anywhere locally. I know I can order it online, but shipping will cost almost as much as the rod I need.

Last night I stopped off at Walmart before I went home and walked around the entire store for about an hour looking for alternatives that I might possibly use. The only thing I found were clear plastic rods that were used to open and close venitian blinds. Unfortunately it was way too flexible and only around 1/4" thick. Plastic hangers are a little stiffer and around 3/8" thick. They also had some large plastic knitting needles around 1/2" thick and around 15" long. Everything else I found were wood or metal, so now I'm looking for some creative and cost effective alternatives.

One thing I looked at tonight is in my own home. I have a 24" Kent Pro Scraper. The shaft appears to be a solid fiberglass rod and is 3/8" thick. It's extremely stiff. It has promise, but they're around $20 a piece...so maybe not so cost effective. Then I started wondering about fiberglass hunting arrows, but I don't know what their diameter is or how stiff they are. There is also some danger involved in cutting/grinding fiberglass without a good respirator.

Are there any other cost effective alternatives out there that might work? I think I'm going to have to go to HD or Lowe's this weekend and walk around looking for inspiration.

[hng]

I guess you could use 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC.

[crvz]

Reflector posts that folks stick in their yards around mailboxes. You can get them at home depot or lowes (around mailboxes, oddly). They're made of fiberglass, and you can easily cut them with a hack saw (obviously, you don't use the reflector part!). They're about 5 bucks for a 4' section, and thats exactly what I used for my rock pillars. You can see a bit more of them here;Rock Stacking

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by kwjones

I've been doing lots of reading and have seen some unique aquascaping lately. My rocks have been cooking for the past 8-9 weeks and I'm ready to start planning my new aquascaping and would like to build some solid pillars using a combination of epoxy and a single internal rod running from top to bottom for support. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find 1/2" acrylic rods anywhere locally. I know I can order it online, but shipping will cost almost as much as the rod I need.

What I have seen mentioned on TRT is to use the fiberglass marking posts that they sell at Walmart for marking your driveway. Cut the reflector off of it and use the rod itself.

If you put a fan blowing the dust away from you, and use a hacksaw or handsaw to cut fiberglass with, you don't have to worry about the dust.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by hng

I guess you could use 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC.

This with holes in it and use the purple primer for the pvc and paint it to look like coraline algea!

[kwjones]

You know, I didn't see any of those rods at Walmart. Looks like I'll be going to HD or Ace tomorrow. I don't think I'll need more than 2.

Did you wrap tape around it before it was cut or does it not splinter that bad?

[crvz]

Originally Posted by kwjones

Did you wrap tape around it before it was cut or does it not splinter that bad?

If you take your time, it won't splinter bad. And there's very little dust, so I wouldnt worry about breathing protection.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

I am in a similar boat here...
Acrylic rod... I have found it, diameter of a penny. 36" rod will cost me $45!!! That said, Im not sure what you all pay in the U.S.
So... I too am looking for something much more cost effective! But for me, I am looking to make one of the "rock stands" to keep my rock off of the substrate.

I am not trying to hi-jack here (sorry)
I am just looking for a solution as this has been vexing me for the last week or so.
I may actually turn this into its own thread as I feel there are others in this same situation.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

I am in a similar boat here...
Acrylic rod... I have found it, diameter of a penny. 36" rod will cost me $45!!! That said, Im not sure what you all pay in the U.S.

About the same thing if you buy new stock. What some people have done (I haven't checked locally to see if I can find it) is to find a shop that carries acrylics and buy the scraps.

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

So... I too am looking for something much more cost effective! But for me, I am looking to make one of the "rock stands" to keep my rock off of the substrate.

I am not trying to hi-jack here (sorry)
I am just looking for a solution as this has been vexing me for the last week or so.
I may actually turn this into its own thread as I feel there are others in this same situation.

What I have wondered about doing, and any problems with it, is using 1/2" pvc pipe and filling it up to help give it support structure. Sand/cement mix and fill the pipe up. Then cap the ends to keep the saltwater from eating the cement up.

[OIIIIIO]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that walks around non-aquatic stores and think of how I can use stuff for my tank.

[kwjones]

Originally Posted by OIIIIIO

I'm glad I'm not the only one that walks around non-aquatic stores and think of how I can use stuff for my tank.

In less than 5 years a newbie won't be able to walk into most LFS's without being able to find acrylic rod specifically for making rock lift supports....and pay more for it than you would anywhere else. It's just the nature of the beast...someone finds and innovative use for something, word gets around, next thing you know someone in the aquarium business puts their name on it and doubles the price because it was made just for aquarium use only. CRVZ better patent his idea for fiberglass rock support rods before someone else gets rich off his idea.

I remember 5 years ago when I started and everybody was using "Southdown" sand from HD for their DSBs. My LFS sold it for almost twice what HD sold it for because it was difficult to find Southdown brand sand in the area...and they knew it was the only brand of sand that people were actively looking for and were willing to pay for...because you know, Southdown was special.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Nicely put.