Acrylic Rod for Aquascaping?

[Alex]

Anyone use acrylic rod when they did thier aquascaping? I'm starting out with a new tank and wanted to get a little more creative than the rock stacks I've done in the past.

 

[marco67]

I've used the acrylic rod as well as others,
In the end i like the nylon thread rod best because of it's many uses.

The threads hold it in place when epoxying it in as a "stud" and I also find that structures are supported better when through bolted.
One of my favorites is using an acrylic base plate drilled and taped and mounting a structure, this allows you to do things that seemingly defy gravity.

most have probably seen the flash on my site but...
This is one I did back in 04'

hmmmm.
Can't seem to get it to post
oh well it's down at the bottom of the page here

 

[Greg Hiller]

Nice Marc. I see all the nylon threaded rod supplies on your site. I've never known where to look for something like that before. I may have to pick some up.

 

[Alex]

Thanks for the input Marc.

Now for someone like me who has no idea how to tap things is it possible to buy plates that are pre threaded?

 

[marco67]

Thanks Greg,
It's really amazing the strength you can get when thru bolting as opposed to leaving the rod "static".
Another great trick (it's kinda basic but I like it) is using a blob of epoxy and rubble to hide fasteners or just using rubble in an epoxy joint to hide that unnatural smooth look.

 

[KJB]

I got some rods from Marc at the Bridgewater meeting and used them as studs for connecting tonga branch. it worked out GREAT!!!!

I drilled the holes for the studs using a ROTO ZIP with a ceramic tile bit. Then because of the narrow diameter of the branches, I ground down the rods to the thickness I needed. I set them with super glue (after matching up the holes, dry fit, etc). after letting it set over night I added some epoxy puddy then pushed them together smoothed it out and let it dry over night again. After it was cured, I was able to go back with the ROTO ZIP tool, and smooth out or texture the joint to my liking. I will add some pics of the finished aquascape to my 47 column set up thread soon. now all I have to do is wait for the rocks to purple up. I used purple puddy so you can see the joints right now. Because of the texturing with the roto tool, you shouldn't see any transition when the colors match. I was able to connect 8 seperate pieces of tonga to make a tree thing. It wouldn't have worked without the studs...I tried.

Marc told me before I started to use high speed, but drill slowly.........that was great advice.

Thanks again Marc!!!

 

[marco67]

Thanks for the input Marc.

Now for someone like me who has no idea how to tap things is it possible to buy plates that are pre threaded?

Not really practical as you have to "dry fit" the scape to the base to locate where the holes go.
The good news it's super simple.
You don't need to buy a full tap and die set or any fancy tools.
Most hardware stores have a tap and bit together or at least a tap that will have recommended drill bit size on it.
The thread rod you buy will either be labeled with it's size or you can take it to the nuts and bolts section to size it. I use 3/8-16 meaning 3/8" diameter 16 threads/ inch.
So you'd buy the 3/8-16 tap (they're cheap) and the appropriate drill bit.

You can see in that flash I leave the paper on the acrylic and use a sharpie to mark "bearing points" then just drill, or I just drill through the rock until I score the acrylic. Then just drill it and "screw" the tap threw the hole it will cut the threads as it goes.
Use a pair of vise grips to hold it and go a half turn at a time backing out once and a while to clear it.

 

[Doherty]

I got some rods from Marc at the Bridgewater meeting and used them as studs for connecting tonga branch. it worked out GREAT!!!!

I drilled the holes for the studs using a ROTO ZIP with a ceramic tile bit. Then because of the narrow diameter of the branches, I ground down the rods to the thickness I needed. I set them with super glue (after matching up the holes, dry fit, etc). after letting it set over night I added some epoxy puddy then pushed them together smoothed it out and let it dry over night again. After it was cured, I was able to go back with the ROTO ZIP tool, and smooth out or texture the joint to my liking. I will add some pics of the finished aquascape to my 47 column set up thread soon. now all I have to do is wait for the rocks to purple up. I used purple puddy so you can see the joints right now. Because of the texturing with the roto tool, you shouldn't see any transition when the colors match. I was able to connect 8 seperate pieces of tonga to make a tree thing. It wouldn't have worked without the studs...I tried.

Marc told me before I started to use high speed, but drill slowly.........that was great advice.

Thanks again Marc!!!

Do you have any pics it sounds cool!

 

[KJB]

I have some pics in an album I started, 47 column. Not any that really document the "tree". I didn't think to record the process. There are pics of it in the tank, I just added it last week.

Sorry Alex, didn't mean to hijack your thread