Stainless steel screws

[Ggz123]

I'm thinking about attaching driftwood all along the back of my tank after curing the wood. Anyone tried using SS screws through suction cups? Is it safe for discus?

[two utes]

A marine grade stainless steel will not cause any issues in your tank

[brewmaster15]

Agree with Joe here. When I am lazy and need an airstone I throw in a stainless steel gangvalve on airline ... ive run tanks like that for years.

[Ggz123]

I did some research on Marine Grade SS and it looks like 316 or 304 grade is what I need. Lowes and Home Depot only carry 305. Any suggestions where to get some? I am not much of a handy man so specifics on type, size, etc. to connect normal pieces of Manzanita together would be great!

[Phillydubs]

http://shop.marshfasteners.com/ - this site looks to have a lot

[two utes]

I did some research on Marine Grade SS and it looks like 316 or 304 grade is what I need. Lowes and Home Depot only carry 305. Any suggestions where to get some? I am not much of a handy man so specifics on type, size, etc. to connect normal pieces of Manzanita together would be great!

Being from Australia l cannot recommend which hardware stores carry marine grade stainless, but if you are anywhere near a large lake or coast there will be places that sell or service boats. They will have what you need.

[Ggz123]

http://shop.marshfasteners.com/ - this site looks to have a lot

Thanks for the link......now for a confession, gulp.....I am not much of a handy man. What size of screw do you suggest for attaching pieces of manzanita together? For example #12 3/4"? I know the "3/4" is the length but I'm not sure if I should use #8, #10, #12, etc.......

[two utes]

What size of screw do you suggest for attaching pieces of manzanita together? For example #12 3/4"? I know the "3/4" is the length but I'm not sure if I should use #8, #10, #12, etc.......

In my opinion you do not want to see the screws so go as small as possible. #8 may do the job. If you can go smaller go #6, though if 3/4" is not long enough to do the job you may have to go to the next size up. They do not make thin screws in long lengths because they will shear.

One very important tip. When attaching two pieces of wood together using a screw is to always drill a clearance hole in the piece of wood that you are putting the screw through. And to avoid splitting the other piece of wood drill a pilot hole with is slightly smaller drill than the thickness of the screw that you are using. This will ensure that the two pieces of wood are clamped together firmly

clearance hole.jpg

[Ggz123]

Great info and input......thank you!

[Neptune]

#0 0.06" 1/16"
#1 0.07" 5/64"
#2 0.08" 3/32"
#3 0.09" 7/64"
#4 0.11" 7/64"
#5 0.12" 1/8"
#6 0.13" 9/64"
#8 0.16" 5/32"
#10 0.19" 3/16"
#12 0.21" 7/32"
#14 0.24" 1/4"