wanted: acrylic rods

[Crab Rangoon]

Regal Plastics is the only place I could really think of to pick this sort of thing up, however when I called in about it I was reminded of their $15 minimum.. (and yes, I asked if they might have some scrap, and if scrap carried a lower price by any chance... "no")

Since I don't need anywhere NEAR $15 of rods, it's really hard to justify it :unsure: does anyone have some spare/extra lying around? Various lengths will do, as I'll just be hacking it down to size anyway, but I could really truly use at least one or two that have some good length to them.

Willing to buy, or can possibly trade something small??? I was planning on (hoping to) rig my rocks up on Saturday, so if all else fails, it looks like I'll have to resort to Regal on Friday or Monday, and just eat the cost :angry:

Alternatively, I'm obviously open to suggestions about sourcing them somewhere else :)

Thanks!

[txav8r]

Try Allied plastics or Plastics Supply-San Antonio on Josephine.

[ismvel]

Regal Plastics here in SA sells them for $6 / 6ft rod. No minimum to purchase, just need to carry cash for that small of amount.

Here is the Austin location.

(888) 254-5011 phone
(512) 836-3699 fax
austin@regal-plastics.com (austin@regal-plastics.com)
9311 Metric Blvd - Austin, TX 78758

[ismvel]

OOOOps....sorry didn't realize you were talking about regal plastic. Weird how down here there isn't a minimum purchase, unless you are trying to do so with a CC. Try walking in and say you are not a business and just need a single rod, have cash handy.

[Crab Rangoon]

OOOOps....sorry didn't realize you were talking about regal plastic. Weird how down here there isn't a minimum purchase, unless you are trying to do so with a CC. Try walking in and say you are not a business and just need a single rod, have cash handy.

Yeah, in Austin it seems like it's just them & one other plastics shop, who wasn't open when I called earlier this morning. I was unsure of whether I should claim that this was an individual/personal purchase, or if I should do it as my business - it's better to suggest a personal cash purchase?

[txg8gxp]

I went to san antonio regal for some eggcrate as a nonbuisness, they shipped from austin with no charge. Good company to deal with(for me atleast)

[RayAllen]

You know you can use plastic hangers for this. Just cut them into peices. That what im going to use for staking my rocks. Can buy a dozen a walmart for real cheap.

[Crab Rangoon]

You can use plastic hangers for this. Just cut them into peices.

That is a great alternative idea, but I couldn't trust the hangers to be strong enough for this application.. one of my rocks is in the 50lb+ range :thumbs_up: and is hopefully going to not be a base/bottom rock. I can't risk that one doin any shifting in a bare-bottom tank @_@

My tank is also just over 2' tall, and I intend to have one rock pile beyond 20" tall if I can. If I were running a shallow tank, or using lighter rocks, I would certainly give this a try. I figure I have a chance of finding somebody in Austin that might have some spare pieces, but if not, I'll just bite the bullet.

I don't plan on constructing something quite as open & large as this, but this is certainly the original inspiration: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16838050&postcount=811

[rocketeer]

I use 1/4 dia fiberglass rods from home depot. They sell reflectors on these rods in the signs department. I think they're a couple of bucks, and very strong.

Jack

[Crab Rangoon]

I use 1/4 dia fiberglass rods from home depot. They sell reflectors on these rods in the signs department. I think they're a couple of bucks, and very strong.

Jack

Also a good alternative for strength, but being (minimally) familiar with fiberglass I know that I won't be able to hit it with a heat-gun & bend or shape it as I please. I might swing by and check these out to see if they'll work out for some of the smaller rocks, though. My big rock is gonna need some custom-bent magic to work out without having any exposed/obvious rods.

[saabtech]

hobby lobby.
9 and 10mm acrylic knitting needles that are about 10 inches long.

[H2Ochem]

Yeah, in Austin it seems like it's just them & one other plastics shop, who wasn't open when I called earlier this morning. I was unsure of whether I should claim that this was an individual/personal purchase, or if I should do it as my business - it's better to suggest a personal cash purchase?


Sorry, can't help myself. I think you should set up a PO with your personal "business" to set up a staggering $15 plastic order.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong!

Nice RC link BTW.

Sorry, was just to easy.

[Crab Rangoon]

Sorry, can't help myself. I think you should set up a PO with your personal "business" to set up a staggering $15 plastic order.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong!

Sorry, was just to easy.

I'm not sure what all that is about, but I do have a business account with Regal, and the woman who answers the phone & takes my order happens to be a customer of mine :) I spoke to three separate associates and none seemed willing to budge on the $15 minimum. I don't see the point of throwing away $10 for nothing, as I needed between $4-5 of materials - does that make sense?

Anyhow, I did wind up getting the rods just in time. I had a friend contact me who also needed some acrylic pieces this week, so I just tacked mine to their order. When I finish the project this weekend, I can offer my excess up for grabs on the forum to any Austin locals who wanna pick it up, as it's definitely not going to be shipped and doesn't fit in my car. If anyone is interested, feel free to PM me, otherwise I'll post what I've got later this weekend.

Thanks for all the input.