Building live rock structures (1 Viewer)

[Jucksta]

I'm looking at ordering some metal rods to build rock formations... which would be better, aluminum or titanium?

Does anyone here do this for building initial structures?

 

[eschulist]

Use acrylic or fiberglass rods. That way the metal doesn't leech unwanted things into your tank.

I just watched this video last week and thought it was a cool idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xifweoA0N4Q&t=16m53s

 

[Flounder]

No metals! Acrylic/Fiberglass rods (Driveway markers are in season now) Or super glue. Some use reefsafe putty, but I personally have troubles with that.

 

[David Grigor]

Only use acrylic rods for the very bottom to attach rod to acrylic stands. The rest use the fiberglass driveway markers. Reason, the acrylic rods are too flexable, they won't break but can sway you strucker with the current if building taller 20+" height.

I would never risk anykind of metal because you really don't know the quality/grade of it and will likely rust when exposed 24/7 to salwater.

 

[peters313]

don't a lot of those driveway markers have a reflective coating on them? would that have any effect on anything?

 

[David Grigor]

You don't use the end portion with the reflector or you peel it off. There are several different ones depending on where you go to buy. I like the orange or yellow ones from Menards because they are just barely less then 3/8" so they slide in hole very easily. Those that are exactly the same size as your concrete bit can be hard to get on and off. But other stores carry some white or grey ones as well but I believe they are slightly different diameters.

 

[marty9876]

I got some gray driveway markers from Mills Fleet Farm, never used them yet.

 

[mrbill]

Fleet Farm has a gray fiberglass electric fence posts (located in farm fencing isle) that works well. No reflectors and they blend in well with the rock.

 

[Jucksta]

Wow, very helpful. I especially like the video. It looks like he was using live rock, whereas I will be building from dry rock and as the tank cycles adding sections of live rock from my current tank.

I will head over to fleet next weekend to get some of the fence markers... I don't know I've seen ant grey at Lowes or Home Depot, even though those are closer.

This creates all kinds of options for a good solid structure. Wish I would have known this trick when I did my first tank.

 

[Wbgnt]

after awhile you dont even see the orange one either they get algae and stuff on them

 

[Jucksta]

And no concerns about contaminants being leaked into the tank later w/ the neon ones?

Does anyone use the patio block as a base like in the video?