painted fiberglass rods.

[Catharsis70]

...like the ones used for flagging driveways etc. Anyone use this material in a tank without negative results? I remember reading somewhere that some used it for "pinning" rocks together.

[flyyyguy]

I like using cast acrylic rods. Just drill a appropriately sized hole in each of the rocks and assuming the bottom rock is stable you can make incredible formations......plus it is nearly invisible if its in sight.....eventually simply growing coralline just like the fiberglass would.

Dont know where to get the fiberglass, but mcmaster-carr sells the acrylic. The acrylci doesnt hardly flex like i assume the fiberglass does.........which i think is a good thing preventing any shifting of rocks that you will be stacking on top

[delv]

Fiberglass Pencil rod is very stiff, even in the small diameters like 1/4, 3/8, etc. Polycarbonite rod is also quite stiff and strong...never breaks down either like fiberglass.

hth's,
d.

[Catharsis70]

So the fiberglass will eventualy break down? What would that do to the water? Is the orange paint safe to be in the water or would I sand them down first? At $1.50 for a four foot section I just gotta give it a shot : ) I mainly want to use 6" sections for mounting frags into the rock etc....

[szeth13]

i use plastic coat hangers. cut them up n ur good to go

[Catharsis70]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8427917#post8427917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szeth13
i use plastic coat hangers. cut them up n ur good to go

They dont float? Thats a great idea.

[Catharsis70]

anyone know if the fiberglass or paint will leach anything into the tank?

[golf4lyfe]

from what ive heard fiberglass wont leach into the tank and there are paints that done leace

[delv]

Leaching will depend on what resin or type of polyester the fiberglass is bonded with. There's probably so little in comparison to your water volume I wouldn't really worry. If you do then use Polycarbonite rod. Completely inert...

d.

[Catharsis70]

Thanks

[jdieck]

I doubt the fiberglass rods are painted at all, usually the color is in the bonding resin itself. Try sawing the tip of the rod and see the core. Most probably will be the same color of the rod.
By the way you can by the rods alone, also you can use arrow rods or even carbon fiber kite rods.
Got to mcmaster.com for FDA (FRD) approved fiberglass rod.
10 feet long with diameters from 1/4; 5/16; 3/8; 1/2 inch price range from $4.00 to $10.00 per 10 ft rod.