Rockscape With Stainless Rod,... Safe ?

[427HISS]

People have used cement, apoxy, acrylic rod, fiberglass rod, etc....

If stainless rod is safe, including long term of course, I would prefer to use it.

Other than it can be more expensive, why do we not hear about using stainless rod more ?

It certainly, would be much stronger than anything above.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

its over kill. and heavy. PVC and portland would be a better choice if you need to be able to stand on the rock in your tank

 

[Jisko]

We used arrow shafts in my dads tank build :o

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

We used arrow shafts in my dads tank build :eek:

Aluminum?

 

[Jisko]

either aluminum or carbon fiber I can't remember

he used it in the center of this big rock stack on the right

 

[surgeon1]

i would be very surprised if it didn't rust in a reef tank. also different types of stainless have different amounts of metals other than iron, so you could get an increase in those metals. I used fiberglass driveway markers. cheap and effective.

 

[erk]

Stainless steel isn't that corrosion resistant. It can withstand some interaction with saltwater, but not submersed 24/7. It will rust out eventually. Also, it isn't really all that strong in the method we wish to use it. Steel I-beam can support a lot of weight, but a rod will creep/bend over time due to it's cross section. That is why we use cement reinforced with rebar. The stone retains it's shape and doesn't creep over time. Like saltyfilmfolks said, cement and pvc or some plastic/composite rod would be far better if you really need strength.

 

[427HISS]

I beleive aluminum will be eaten away, and 304 stainless won't. I used 304 boat propellars for 25 years with no problem and 304 when I was building sidepipes for my 427 Shelby Cobra, other owners and for Vetts & Hot Rods.

Stainless would be more expensive that most other products though. There's no way that stainless would break under the mild pressure that reef rock would weigh.

Acyrlic won't take much of pressure, but again, unless you go to small of rod, the weight pressures arn't that high.

Arn't the driveway markers, metal rod's, covered by a rubber coating ?
I don't know, as I've never looked much at them.

 

[cilyjr]

@427HISS Danner uses 304 stainless screws in their mag pump housing. It holds up ok but I do see a little corrosion on some older ones from time to time.

My driveway markers are fiberglass

 

[427HISS]

It depends on what type of ss they use on screws, although Danner makes great products, I doubt it's 304.

 

[cilyjr]

It's 304 or 316. Let's assume they use the cheaper of the 2

 

[Flippers4pups]

Most stainless steel needs to be passivated to be corrosion resistant, not corrosion proof. Raw stainless steel rods won't be passivated, regardless of grade. Hardening will vastly improve corrosion resistance, along with passivation. That's why boat propellers can be stainless steel, as well as screws, etc.....

Aluminum will corrode in saltwater in time. Elevated aluminum levels are speculated to have negative effects on coral.

Driveway markers at lowes are orange fiberglass rods. Fiberglass is inert and makes for excellent supports for rock structures. This is what I use.

Acrylic rods are prone for breakage and don't do well holding up large pieces of rock, unless it's large diameter.

Pvc works, but is large in diameter, harder to hide.

My choice is fiberglass rod, drive way marker. $3 - 4 dollars is cheap and is very strong.

 

[427HISS]

I'll look at the fiberglass rods at Lowes.

 

[427HISS]

Like these ?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Blazer-I...PgWvGLC21CQIynIs1Lj5EaAok88P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Flippers4pups]

https://m.lowes.com/pd/The-Hillman-Group-48-Red-Driveway-Marker/3044825

Well they look white now.

 

[427HISS]

Lol.......

 

[Flippers4pups]

Like these ?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Blazer-International-Driveway-Marker-48-in-Round-Fiberglass-Rod-Orange-381ODM/202498049?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D25H-Hardware|&gclid=Cj0KEQjw5YfHBRDzjNnioYq3_swBEiQArj4pdIzfof1e8JYmvh-kOav0hiPgWvGLC21CQIynIs1Lj5EaAok88P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes

 

[Airwarf]

lots of comments here, but I'll add my 2 cents. Stainless will eventually corrode in saltwater and is expensive. Nylon threads and some epoxy is stronger than you think. If you're using dry rock I'd recommend that approach.

 

[JoshuaBrown]

Plastic hangers. snap em up and use the rods. glue and apoxy friendly.

The only way you could verify a given stainless was saltwater safe long term would be to order it direct form a supply yard.
Most stainless steel marketed as "Marine" 316L n such, are for above surface applications. Crevice corrosion is an issue with that kinda stainless. I'd avoid it, or heavily monitor it for pitting.

 

[kenandmoose2]

If this rod you plan to put in rusts in your tank its effects on your reef will likely be less than desirable. I guess if it was me i would avoid anything that may be a problem. Other methods work well and have proven to be safe for reef tanks.

My 2 cents