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Unread 10/05/2015, 01:23 PM   #1
Monte26
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3D Printing

I was just wondering if anyone here has tried to 3D print anything reef related. I was thinking it would be cool to use a 3D printer to make a skimmer or overflow box.


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Unread 10/05/2015, 07:44 PM   #2
Bogue Chitto
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That' a good idea...


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Unread 10/06/2015, 05:15 AM   #3
mcgyvr
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PLA plastic will degrade in the water.. You need to use ABS.
Other than that print away...


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Unread 10/06/2015, 11:05 AM   #4
braaap
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There is a guy on another forum making glueless frag plugs with a 3D printer. The plug has a little gripper thing that snaps on and comes off easily. He is also working on a design that dissolves in saltwater after a few weeks.


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Unread 10/06/2015, 11:10 AM   #5
wild1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by braaap View Post
There is a guy on another forum making glueless frag plugs with a 3D printer. The plug has a little gripper thing that snaps on and comes off easily. He is also working on a design that dissolves in saltwater after a few weeks.
Do you have a link
by any chance? Thanx


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Unread 10/06/2015, 11:13 AM   #6
braaap
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Do you have a link
by any chance? Thanx
I think that would be against the rules. It is on nanoreef.


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Unread 10/10/2015, 11:25 AM   #7
Tenny
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Has anyone tried using TPU in their aquarium?

I've been using TPU filament in my 3D Printer a lot lately. On my skimmer there's a O-ring like device that has dissolved over the years. So I designed and printed it, and the TPU allows the "snug" fit. Now I'm concerned it'll dissolve away / release bad chemicals.


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Unread 10/10/2015, 11:26 PM   #8
_Snuffles
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i have an 8x8 glass cube i made a overflow box for (inside and out) and custom pvc attachments for some of my other tanks an a crappy venturi for a attempt of a skimmer. ABS is best and the green abs/pvc glue works great for their applications, let them sit longer though it takes a bit for them to cure just a bit more than the clear pvc cement ..


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Unread 10/11/2015, 01:38 AM   #9
shiftline
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Sweet! Any pics of your creations?


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Unread 10/11/2015, 01:53 AM   #10
_Snuffles
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http://imgur.com/a/Fo117

it's dry right now since ill be moving soon. ill be redoing the sump section so its not as tall and the lighting will be closer once i buy a lens for it. i'm wanting more of a desktop , than a side table set up.


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Unread 10/11/2015, 09:03 PM   #11
shiftline
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Nice work!


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Unread 10/12/2015, 12:12 PM   #12
7thdarkangel
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There is a guy (or girl) on e bay that sells small in-tank reactors that are 3-D printed.


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Unread 10/12/2015, 10:52 PM   #13
geekengineer
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I made my protein skimmer mostly from 3D printing but had to use epoxy coating to make the box not leak. Partially an issue with the way I printed it.


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Unread 10/13/2015, 07:14 AM   #14
karimwassef
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What printers did you guys buy? What sizes? Are you happy with them?


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Unread 10/13/2015, 07:25 AM   #15
_Snuffles
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i have a robo3d printer which i had a few issues with once i bought it, mostly pertaining to the temperature probe, it would shut down after 30 mins into a print. i ended up tearing it out and putting in a new one and then had the same issue... getting upset i bought a flashforge creator which i love its a dual head printer. almost a year later i went back and tried to see if i could fix it or use it for parts, i ended up drilling a hole so i could screw the temperature probe in place instead of using the kapton tape that would come undone from the heater block. so now i have 2 working printers.

in the end i would reccomend the creator by flashforge only because i haven't had a single issue with it, and because it has a dual print head, so you can print 2 filaments into a single project or even just have 2 filaments preloaded and switch between the two with out having to go through all the hassle changing filaments.


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Unread 10/13/2015, 10:59 AM   #16
karimwassef
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Thanks snuffles. How big is the print space? How expensive was it?
Anyone else?
After using one, would you buy new?


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Unread 10/13/2015, 06:37 PM   #17
sumer
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Not exactly reef related but breeding fish related. I was working on making some brine shrimp hatcheries using Imhoff cones. I tried making the lids for the cones using 3D printer. I guess I used wrong type of plastic because it started smelling bad after a few days and I eventually threw it out and replaced with acrtylic lids.


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Unread 10/13/2015, 07:13 PM   #18
_Snuffles
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karimwassef View Post
Thanks snuffles. How big is the print space? How expensive was it?
Anyone else?
After using one, would you buy new?
http://www.flashforge-usa.com/shop/3...-extruder.html
Thats the one i have, though i paid 799$ for mine not sure about the price jump, might of been a sale or something. i would definitely go for the creator, the robo3d model isn't too bad really it might of been my model though i believe the robo had the bigger print space of the two.

but over all , the creator wins for me mainly because it has its own lcd screen with buttons and sd reader so you can have it stand alone, or usb. where as the robo has the sd reader but no lcd or buttons. also dual print heads is a win for me, i can switch between the two, or print with both or different filaments.


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Unread 10/13/2015, 08:36 PM   #19
geekengineer
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I got a Lulzbot A-101 which they don't make anymore. I mainly got it cause the manufacturer is in my state. I got a deal on one they were selling cheaper to get rid of on e-bay at the time. Its done me well so far I made some dumb mistakes at first had to repair it a few times. I got to the point where I don't change out the little nozzles and change out the whole head since I was striping threads too much. I made a quick disconnect for the head assembly now so its much easier anyhow. Then I did a "Trapezoid" mod for it that was on their forum that someone came up with to get more Z height out of it.

Anyways they make a TAZ now that has a big build volume but pretty pricey for me. Now they are making a small one that is cheaper. So far I haven't seen a need to jump to a new one yet the one I have been working fine for what I need for the most part.


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Unread 10/13/2015, 08:42 PM   #20
bricksheethouse
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I've printed a few things:

Protein skimmer (found here:http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:285874)
PVC Parts
Puffer floating feeder

however, here is all I have currently on my freshwater shrimp tank.
I'm working on an overflow box currently, the only drawback is my build envelope is 8x8x8. so I'm thinking of printing it in two sections to assemble

All ABS, 100 micron res.





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Unread 10/14/2015, 03:31 AM   #21
karimwassef
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Thanks.


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Unread 10/16/2015, 12:32 PM   #22
Cope413
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I've made all sorts of things for my tank.

I wrote this article a few months back


Since then, I've printed a few more things. I just recently printed an extrusion of my LFS logo. They're going to attach some zoos to it. In a few months they should have an in-tank zoa logo.

Also, PLA is totally fine to use in the tank. While it may, over time (and likely a VERY long time) break down, it would essentially just be like bio pellets. A light carbon dosing.

I've queried Randy Holmes-Farley on a bunch of different materials. PLA is safe as is ABS, PETG, and Nylon (if it's done outgassing).
Can't remember what forum it's on, but I'm sure you can find it.


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Unread 10/16/2015, 12:33 PM   #23
Cope413
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Apparently, you can't post links to other forums. So, that article, if you're interested is on the forum that shall not be named that has the word reef in it twice with the number 2 in between.


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Unread 10/16/2015, 02:11 PM   #24
mpgrant77
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I print lots of things for the reef aquarium. I actually opened up an online store to sell some stuff. Here is some of the stuff I have printed. I use ABS material when I print just to keep it safe and strong.

Test Kit drying rack
 photo F433D56B-A4D7-4F00-B621-A907365E2EE2.jpg

Frag rack
 photo DSC01279.jpg


adjustable Limit switch holder
 photo 02-141-D.jpg

ecotech controller mounting bracket
 photo 478BC0D5-59E6-4A4D-AD1A-22B8C0DA52A5.jpg


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Unread 10/16/2015, 02:39 PM   #25
Cope413
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Ha! I've made the same things. I made a little rack for my test kits, a probe holder, and a bracket for my apex display.

I also made a frag rack that is eerily similar to yours. Great minds?


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