egg crate bottom

[Steve canada]

PVC pipe is good but you have to make sure no matter gets into it because it will just go stagnant.You can get the whits acrylic rods from mcmaster.They come in different thickness so you can use the thinner rods for the top of the structure and the thicker rod for the base.I thought of doing something like gluing the rods on the bottom of the tank and having the rock placed on it but drilling is the best option.You won't have any rock fall over and you can pre drill frag holes.

 

[albano]

If you use acrylic rods and putty it will work well.The rods are pretty strong if you use 5/8 rod it would be strong enough for the base rocks at the bottom of the structure.

I've been using the acrylic rods on my base rock, for about 20 years...never a problem.

quick tip...PVC cutters will 'snap' almost perfect sections of acrylic rod in seconds, as compared to saw cuts!

 

[ReefMonkey13]

i have egg crate under my sand and rock.

 

[Steve canada]

I used a grinder and or a hacksaw to cut the rods.Grinder makes more dust.Best tool would be a cut saw with fine teeth.

 

[dannyny]

thanks for all the responses. now im confused as to weather or not use egg crate some people love it some others not so much...

i would do rods but how do you guys place rods in the rock? where do you get the rods from?

 

[albano]

http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

I used a grinder and or a hacksaw to cut the rods.Grinder makes more dust.Best tool would be a cut saw with fine teeth.

No...the best tool is a PVC cutter!

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Danny your better off with a acrylic sheet for your 50G tank. You can also use the eco glue when you do your rock work. maybe put some on the acrylic sheet with the rock to prevent them from coming down or moving around. check this link Danny hope it gives you an idea of what im talking about buddy. http://ecotechmarine.com/media-gallery/video/coral-glue-mov/

 

[Steve canada]

http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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
No...the best tool is a PVC cutter!

I never tried that I figured it would snap the rod.I have a pex tubing cutter but I don't think the blade would be strong enough.Do you mean the red handle ones with the thicker blade.

 

[albano]

I never tried that I figured it would snap the rod.I have a pex tubing cutter but I don't think the blade would be strong enough.Do you mean the red handle ones with the thicker blade.

just the basic Home Depot cutter...'almost' perfect cut!
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=bS2OT7DCHoft0gHG2OGkDw&ved=0CHoQ8gIwAw

 

[Steve canada]

Yes those are the ones (I am a plumber) used to cut 1 1/2 abs and pvc pipe.The blade is pretty strong.I will buy one.I never use that particular tool for work but I will pick one up for the hobby.Thanks for the tip.

 

[Bigkahuna]

PVC pipe is good but you have to make sure no matter gets into it because it will just go stagnant.You can get the whits acrylic rods from mcmaster.They come in different thickness so you can use the thinner rods for the top of the structure and the thicker rod for the base.I thought of doing something like gluing the rods on the bottom of the tank and having the rock placed on it but drilling is the best option.You won't have any rock fall over and you can pre drill frag holes.

Yeah, I'm mostly using PVC sprinkler pipe which is 1/2" internal and 1/2" PVC rod glued inside to essentially make a laminated rod to make it super strong and prevent a stagnant cavity inside it. I thought of acrylic but the PVC base I'm using will cement to PVC resulting in a pretty strong bond that I will need. I'm trying to make rock formations that are at 45? angles more or less that look like they are impossible to stay up. Acrylic is nice but brittle in many ways and I was paranoid it might snap if I didn't upsize to close to 1" diameter. PVC flexes more and is much more forgiving IMHO.

 

[Imbarrie]

Great point about acrylic being brittle.
I am leaning toward structuring my next rock scape and PVC will be much easier to work with. You can also paint it so it doesnt look so out of place.
Where do you get sheets of PVC and solid PVC rods?

 

[tomn]

you can get almost anything you can think of thats not aquarium specific at mcmaster-carr (www.mcmaster.com). I just finished plumbing my new tank and they were the only place i could find different size gate valves and loc-line components. They pretty much have everything and it was at my house in 2 days. And also a lot cheeper than a lot of other sites i was looking at.

 

[Steve canada]

You would be surprised as to how strong these rods are.Dam it I should have realized I use fiberglass rods for the base and not acrylic (stupid me)The white fiberglass rods is what I used for the heavy structure.They are safe to use and they won't break.I used the thinner acrylic rods for smaller rocks.I got the fiberglass rods at mcmaster .In Canada its harder to get these products shipped here.Mcmaster doesn't ship to canada but I found another place that does.The fiberglass rods where 3 times the price in Canada vs the US.I bought 4 ft long rods.I made a mistake between the fiberglass and acrylic.I doubt you will break the fiberglass rods and you do need a saw to cut them,they are very strong.Acrylic is not as strong but its not exactly a cheap material.You would probably have to use a thicker rod to support a heavier structure.

 

[tomn]

When you use the rods how do you support the base? With egg crate it would seem easier by just using clay but how do you do it with acrylic? Same way?

 

[Serega]

When you use the rods how do you support the base? With egg crate it would seem easier by just using clay but how do you do it with acrylic? Same way?

Check this out http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-group-project-invisible-rock-lifts-85616.html
I did mine out of 1/2" rods and 1" acrylic sheet only because I got the sheet for free. You can get rods in the city Canal St Plastics, they got any size you want.

 

[tomn]

Thanks Serega nice link.. GO RANGERS

 

[Bigkahuna]

Great point about acrylic being brittle.
I am leaning toward structuring my next rock scape and PVC will be much easier to work with. You can also paint it so it doesnt look so out of place.
Where do you get sheets of PVC and solid PVC rods?

I got my sheet and rod locally from Total Plastics in Mount Vernon. I was a remnant of some 4'x8" sheet that was just over 48" square so it was perfect to cut down to 35"x35" for mt 150DD, they even cut it for me to 35x35.

 

[Steve canada]

I liked what you did Serega this was what I was thinking to do but your still stuck with piling rocks on top of it.It does leave a nice gap underneath for water to flow.The rods would be drilled into every rock.This would make one big solid reef structure.I wanted to do this but didn't have the time need so I piled the rocks and tried to leave the least amount of rock.work touching the ground.I will remove the rocks on the right side of my tank and redo it with dead rock but drill everything.What Serega did is similar because the entire bottom of the tank is free.There should be no dead spots and its probably faster than drilling all the rocks and using putty and rods to stick them together.I thought of doing it this way and it is a good idea and serves the purpose of no dead space.Its basically having pegs at the bottom of your tank.