Best aluminum rods according to redditors

Flooring

• KM Cape Doctor Maple 12mm Laminate (discontinued)
  
  
  Closet
  
  
• [Ikea Expedit (discontinued) - replaced with Kallax]
  (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40275813/#/20275814)
  
  
• [1" 6061 aluminum rods, unpolished, extruded]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H9JFR8/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• [1" aluminum shaft collars]
  (http://www.mcmaster.com/#9946k24/=rjcdgv)
  
  
  Door
  
  
• [30x80" Oak Solid Core Door Slab]
  (http://www.menards.com/main/doors-windows/mastercraft-slab-doors/mastercraft-30-x-80-x-1-3-4-oak-solid-core-door-slab/p-1657282-c-12245.htm)
  
  
• [Door Hinges]
  (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-4-1-2-in-Satin-Chrome-Commercial-Grade-Door-Hinge-20442/204760762)
  
  
• [Schlage Latitude Privacy Door Lever]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046ZRI7S/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
  Paint
  
  
• KILZ 2 Primer
  
  
• Behr Premium Ultra Pure White
  
  
  Lighting
  
  
• [TL90 Ceiling Flush Mount - Small]
  (http://www.1stoplighting.com/lighting/18-462-634-0-398776/Tech-Lighting_TL-90---Two-Light-Square-Small-Flush-Mount-700FM90S.htm)
  
  
• [TL90 - Large]
  (http://www.1stoplighting.com/lighting/18-462-634-0-308557/Tech-Lighting_TL-90---Two-Light-Square-Large-Flush-Mount-700FM90L.htm)
  
  
• [2GX7 4100k Bulbs]
  (http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/2798/FC13-2GX741OD.html)
  
  
• [G9 Halogen Bulbs]
  (http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/5113/Q-JCD40120G9.html)
  
  
• [Screwless Wall Plates (these are okay, a bit too retro for my liking but not bad enough for me to return)]
  (http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/wall-plates/rocker-gfci/1-gang-screwless-wall-plate/p-1403968-c-6479.htm)
  
  
  Desk
  
  
• [Linnmon High Gloss White 59x29 1/2" Table Top]
  (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10251352/#/20251356)
  
  
• [Olov Table Legs (I do not recommend these, there's a rattle from the internal tensioning rods)]
  (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10264302/)
  
  
  Hammock
  
  
• [Koch Forged Eye Screw - Small]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T44T7A/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• [Eye Screw - Large]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T44T8O/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• [Trek Light Double Hammock]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00857I7KK/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• [Trek Light Gear Go Anywhere Rope Kit]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VDZE2U/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• [Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner]
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LGJFYK/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
  Total cost was USD 2197.67.

It's a 1-inch diameter aluminum rod submerged in tap water. I'm testing it as part of a immersion cooling system for homebrew (beer making). It has been submerged for 31 days. I intend to use it as part of a peltier system that will control the temperature of fermentation.

Here's a link to the rod

1" Diameter, 6061 Aluminum Round Rod, 12" Length, T6511, Extruded,1.0 inch Dia https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HUA9LFM/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apap_vVbLFMck9eftG

My question is regarding the "fuzz" in the photo. I suspect it is either:

1. impurities in the water (city tap) that are aggregating on the rod, or
   
   
2. A reaction between the aluminum and the water or chemical in the water. Oxidation?
   
   I chose aluminum because it is generally regarded as safe for food and has much better thermal conductivity than stainless steel.
   
   Any ideas?

Something silver/gray in color, between 1/4" and 1/2" in diameter. I'll probably end up ordering some of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H9FW16/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1DJZA8PZBRKWH unless I can find something today when I go out and check the hardware stores and Home Depot.

Sooo, I've bought the dongle but have yet to set it up. I have a few questions about what I'm doing though, since I'm not really sure what I'm doing.

I'm following this
tutorial, and planning on building an antenna (info here and here)

so my qustions are:

1. it seems like I'm going to need a connector or adapter to connect the coaxial cable to the dongle - will I need this? If so, what kind?
   
   
2. for the antenna, I want to make sure I'm using the right materials. It says to use 1/8" aluminum rods, but the only rodsI can find at my hardware store are 1/4". They also have 1/8" steel rods, are these ok, or does it have to be aluminum?
   
   2b) If 1/4" rods are a problem, will these be OK? I am assuming so, but just want to be 100% sure there isn't anything I'm missing or didn't know
   
   
3. I'm having trouble figuring out how the coax cable is connected to the antenna in the guide that I linked. Someone else had commented on that guide but I still don't get it. Can someone explain like I'm 5 how the cable goes to both ports in the choc block?
   
   Thanks! I'm excited to get started!

What are people thinking in terms of the rod? I found a few cheap ones on amazon that could probably be clipped at a hardware store:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FN17ZE/ref=biss_dp_t_asn
https://www.amazon.com/Darice-9162-08-Unfinished-Natural-4-Inch/dp/B004KQOLB4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1473271015&sr=8-5&keywords=3%2F4+rod
https://www.amazon.com/Online-Metal-Supply-Stainless-Steel/dp/B00CEHFRWI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1473271015&sr=8-10&keywords=3%2F4+rod
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013HLZOY/ref=biss_dp_t_asn