Acrylic Rods for Aquascape

[Desert Darthead]

Been out of the hobby for quite some time...15 years or so. No more walls of rock so trying to plan out aquascape for new 200 gallon tank and was curious what diameter of acrylic rods to people use and where do you get them from? I noticed BRS has 1/4" tubes, but not solid rods and look pretty weak. What about 1/2" solid rods? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Billldg]

Been out of the hobby for quite some time...15 years or so. No more walls of rock so trying to plan out aquascape for new 200 gallon tank and was curious what diameter of acrylic rods to people use and where do you get them from? I noticed BRS has 1/4" tubes, but not solid rods and look pretty weak. What about 1/2" solid rods? Any suggestions appreciated.

I used 1/4 in rods from Lowes. They are used to stick reflectors in the ground.

 

[Ippyroy]

I used the orange fiberglass rods for snow plowing. Anything cheap and cuttable should work since it will be surrounded by rock and mortar I'd think. Doesn't have to be reef safe.

 

[Desert Darthead]

I used 1/4 in rods from Lowes. They are used to stick reflectors in the ground.

thanks for quick response, will check them out.

 

[Desert Darthead]

I used the orange fiberglass rods for snow plowing. Anything cheap and cuttable should work since it will be surrounded by rock and mortar I'd think. Doesn't have to be reef safe.

thanks for the quick response. I live in the desert (109 deg today) so not sure will have these if used for snow plowing.

 

[kindafun]

I'm just building a new 100G. Bought some 1/4 and 3/8" acrylic rods from Amazon.

 

[DSEKULA]

I've used plastic clothes hangers cut into pieces.. odd but it works.

 

[Desert Darthead]

I'm just building a new 100G. Bought some 1/4 and 3/8" acrylic rods from Amazon.

thanks. just ordered 3/8" on Amazon...the 1/4" was 2 weeks for delivery vs. 2 days with Prime for 3/8".

 

[Ippyroy]

I've used plastic clothes hangers cut into pieces.. odd but it works.

Great idea. Under a buck for a dozen. the orange rods are free for me in March April, but the coathangers are cheap everywhere everyday.

 

[MR BACKHAND]

I'm just building a new 100G. Bought some 1/4 and 3/8" acrylic rods from Amazon.

Which size did you prefer 3/8 or 1/4?

 

[kindafun]

Sorry for the late reply, but I used 1/4" for smaller rock connections and 3/8" for the bigger ones. However, I have one rock that was cantilevered with a lot of bending on the rod. It broke as I was putting it in the tank. Glad it happened then. I then went to HD and got a fiberglass rod. That was very strong and it worked well. Been in the tank for several months now, of course in the water there is less force.

I think that if there isn't much bending load on them the acrylic rods work well. Fiberglass to support a load.