wtb: Scrap Acrylic & Rods

[Newreeflady]

Hi all!

I'm looking to build a couple of little shelves to hold rock above my sandbed. I have some 1/4" acrylic, which is probably not ideal but might work? I am planning to drill 1/2" holes in it and use weld-on to attach 1/2" rods every couple of inches. I'll have the rods protrude about 1/2 to 1" above the sandbed to hopefully mitigate dead spots.

So, do you know where I might find 1/2" rods? Is there a place out here like Tap Plastics where they sell scrap for cheap? Or, does anyone have scrap they would like to sell or hand off?

Thanks
Angela

 

[Piazzon12]

why not use egg crate and PVC pipe?

 

[Newreeflady]

Well, I thought about that. My concerns follow:

Let me first clarify what we're talking about: PVC "feet" with eggcrate over the top as a shelf?

With pvc pipe the segments will be filled with sand. The internal sand in the pvc seems to me pretty much dead area. Maybe there is some way I can fill the pvc stand pieces with concrete or something?

I've also seen people using 5" diameter pvc stands. I've pretty well got the same concerns about stagnant sand inside, and also water flow under the rock within the pvc cage.

Thx for the help Further thoughts?
-A

 

[Piazzon12]

yes, the pvc feet pipes are open at both ends, and can be filled with only water... although sand wouldnt be a problem either. any size pvc should be fine I used 1.5 ft sections of 1/2" pvc as rods to hold up my rock stack for years... they are open on both ends, and only filled with water

 

[Newreeflady]

Are you capping the bottom to keep sand out? How is that water not completely stagnant and a danger to release?

thx,
-A

 

[Piazzon12]

not capping either end.. just an open piece of pipe. I dont thiink sand is really an issue even if it does get in. if you are really that worried about stagnant water simply drill small holes for water exchange, but I dont think it's necessary. you can even cut a an ^ (notch) in the bottom to let sand out

 

[reefscape15]

I used 3/4" PVC to hold my rock wall up when I had my 54 set up at first. I did drill holes all through it though, more to keep options open with zip ties, but I figured it would help let water through as well. It was very sturdy and never had a collapse.