10L 3D Printed Aquarium Build

3D Reefin' · Jul 11, 2019

Hello R2R Members,

I'm going to be making another nano. This is my first build thread. Most of the components will be 3D printed. I'll do my best to document the process of making these parts.

If you have not seen my other 3D printed aquarium, have a look:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/3d-printed-5-gal-aquarium.628100/

Here are the glass containers I will be using.

ReeferReefer · Jul 11, 2019

Looking forward to it.

Are these standard containers that are commonly available?

It would be awesome to find something like that so your filters can be used by others as well.

3D Reefin' · Jul 11, 2019

Not that I'm aware of, got both of them free. The 10L beaker, the cheapest I found a similar one for was $250, and the other glass cover is not a standard size, its a vintage rose display cover.

3D Reefin' · Jul 11, 2019

Here are some progress pics. Figuring out how I want to mount the filter. Its going to have 2 displays. I also have to figure out how to incorporate a check valve system, to avoid overflows

3D Reefin' · Jul 12, 2019

Here are some more updates pics, started working on the filter.

3D Reefin' · Jul 13, 2019

Test printing the overflow box. Making sure it fits the radius of the inside of the beaker (the large glass container).

3D Reefin' · Jul 13, 2019

Also, just finished printing these water test tube holders, for the API test kits, for my freshwater tank, but will work with the saltwater test tubes as well. I mainly use them for drying the test tubes after they have been washed.

3D Reefin' · Jul 14, 2019

Printed the overflow box last night. Had to print it again, did't fit against the beaker how I wanted it to, so modified it and added some side slots as well. Here is the finished overflow.

3D Reefin' · Jul 16, 2019

Got a chance to mock up the overflow.

ahiggins · Jul 16, 2019

I love the beaker concept! Instead of drilling it’s a perfect overflow. My inner nerd applauds you

3D Reefin' · Jul 16, 2019

ahiggins said:
I love the beaker concept! Instead of drilling it’s a perfect overflow. My inner nerd applauds you

Thanks. Have not gotten around to testing it out yet. I don't want the water line to be too high. I really don't want to modify this beaker, with a price tag shy of 600, I won't be able to buy another in the event I damage it.

ahiggins · Jul 16, 2019

Whoa that’s a lot.

ahiggins · Jul 16, 2019

I wonder...if not enough flow, could you slowly sand the glass down in the center of the overflow lip, to get it deeper. Rather than actually modify it.

3D Reefin' · Jul 16, 2019

I was just going to heat it up with a oxy/acet torch, pray and hope it bends. I already have a jig that I 3D printed for a holesaw that matches the OD of the beaker, but I'm not sure if its tempered or treated. Contacted the manufacture, and no reply so far. I thought about sanding it, but I'm not sure if I'll create a stress point by removing material. Working with unknown glass is not my favorite material to work with. haha

ahiggins · Jul 16, 2019

Oh jeeze...breaking out the big guns! Lol as if the 3D printing wasn’t enough of a challenge for you!
If you can heat it and cool it slowly enough, I think that would be a better option than sanding. From the looks of your pictures though, the limiting factor for flow would be your overflow and not the lip (which I’m sure is how you wanted it). If you haven’t permanently placed it, you could just adjust that. Of all the large beakers I’ve washed/worked with, the bigger ones (maybe 5000ml max) they’ve all overflowed around the same height from the top. Around a half inch.