3D printed builds - lets inspire others

[saintsreturn]

I have seen some awesome threads on here about people using 3D printers to help their builds or solve problems. I even did the same for mine. But I havent been able to find a thread where we all post up what we have done to inspire others. With my resource being another person, i have not been able to share files for others, but images still inspire... so lets share and potentially inspire :

I will post more photos when I get them moved over, but here are frag tank legs to get rid of PVC ones.

 

[saintsreturn]

Here we made aqueon pro heater holders, probe heater, and a filter sock holder that could be glued to my sump that did not have them.

Also, I replaced all of the red parts on my skimmer to match the blue in the sump and plumbing.

Need to find the pics of the power supply brackets and the hydor magnet covers.

 

[saintsreturn]

Building now and then building next:

Hannah test kit holder, Nyos test kit holder, bracket to hang ATO hard line in IM 5g reservoir, mount for power display for my battery backups, and a power supply for reef pi.

 

[User]

This thread is useless without STL links!!!

Joking (kinda).

What material are you printing in? I like the frag rack legs and might run off a few

 

[scriptmonkey]

Nice! I am not alone! Working on building a heater holder in Fusion and a screw together fish feeder ball that floats (hopefully). Just waiting on parts to rebuild my makergear hotend after a print go bad

 

[TheHarold]

Just no PLA please xD

 

[MaccaPopEye]

I have seen some awesome threads on here about people using 3D printers to help their builds or solve problems. I even did the same for mine. But I havent been able to find a thread where we all post up what we have done to inspire others. With my resource being another person, i have not been able to share files for others, but images still inspire... so lets share and potentially inspire :

I will post more photos when I get them moved over, but here are frag tank legs to get rid of PVC ones.

Hey Saintsreturn There is actually already a thready with a lot of great 3D printing inspo so make sure to check it out
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/get-any-part-you-need-right-here.321961/

Just no PLA please xD

@TheHarold have you actually used PLA in a reef or are you just saying that because you read something somewhere?

Yes, it could very well be possible that it breaks down over time. But when I looked into it PLA needed a pretty specific set of parameters and a specific type of bacteria to break down. On top of that I searched quite extensively and I found quite a few people who have used PLA for a couple of years with no issues and only one person who may have had issues with PLA but that wasn't really conclusive. Mostly it's just been people speculating that there is issues with it and that it will degrade and kill your reef etc.

I thought I would give PLA a go with a basic feeder ring which was in my tank for over 6 months with no signs of degrading before I printed a better one (the mounting point on this one didn't work well from the start). It was also a bad print (very, very under extruded) so any degradation would have been quite noticeable in that time and due to the thin walls and under extrusion it would likely have been quite fast too, but nothing happened.

Because that did ok I decided to step it up and print a nitrate reactor with PLA. This will house massive amounts of bacteria so if anything is going to degrade, this will be it! It's been in the tank for over 6 months now with no signs of breaking down so I'm keen to see how it goes long term.

I've also printed a light bracket for my fuge light. This isn't in contact with salt water, but heat was a concern. The light socket itself doesn't get over 30 degrees so it also shouldn't be an issue but I'm keeping an eye on it. 6 months of the light being on 24/7 so far without any warping from heat or moisture.

I have also 3D printed a protein skimmer auto neck cleaner in PLA but I have been having issues with the coupling snapping where it connects the motor shaft to the cleaner blades so that design needs some more work! For now my manual cleaning lid is back on.

I've also been 3D printing the housings for my reef-pi build but I have had some setbacks with that due to funds, work and a long vacation. But i am hoping to do some more work on it in the coming weeks

 

[crusso1993]

I have seen some awesome threads on here about people using 3D printers to help their builds or solve problems. I even did the same for mine. But I havent been able to find a thread where we all post up what we have done to inspire others. With my resource being another person, i have not been able to share files for others, but images still inspire... so lets share and potentially inspire :

I will post more photos when I get them moved over, but here are frag tank legs to get rid of PVC ones.

I believe many r2r'ers would benefit from a 3D forum. So much so that I suggested it in the "How to Make R2R Better in 2019" thread.

Thanks for sharing!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-make-r2r-better-in-2019.535050/page-5#post-5568668

 

[TheHarold]

I’ve made and sold a couple hundred of toggle boxes for Apex. You know, control your outputs and programs with a button instead of needing to take out your phone.

 

[TheHarold]

Hey Saintsreturn There is actually already a thready with a lot of great 3D printing inspo so make sure to check it out
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/get-any-part-you-need-right-here.321961/



@TheHarold have you actually used PLA in a reef or are you just saying that because you read something somewhere?

Yes, it could very well be possible that it breaks down over time. But when I looked into it PLA needed a pretty specific set of parameters and a specific type of bacteria to break down. On top of that I searched quite extensively and I found quite a few people who have used PLA for a couple of years with no issues and only one person who may have had issues with PLA but that wasn't really conclusive. Mostly it's just been people speculating that there is issues with it and that it will degrade and kill your reef etc.

I thought I would give PLA a go with a basic feeder ring which was in my tank for over 6 months with no signs of degrading before I printed a better one (the mounting point on this one didn't work well from the start). It was also a bad print (very, very under extruded) so any degradation would have been quite noticeable in that time and due to the thin walls and under extrusion it would likely have been quite fast too, but nothing happened.

Because that did ok I decided to step it up and print a nitrate reactor with PLA. This will house massive amounts of bacteria so if anything is going to degrade, this will be it! It's been in the tank for over 6 months now with no signs of breaking down so I'm keen to see how it goes long term.

I've also printed a light bracket for my fuge light. This isn't in contact with salt water, but heat was a concern. The light socket itself doesn't get over 30 degrees so it also shouldn't be an issue but I'm keeping an eye on it. 6 months of the light being on 24/7 so far without any warping from heat or moisture.

I have also 3D printed a protein skimmer auto neck cleaner in PLA but I have been having issues with the coupling snapping where it connects the motor shaft to the cleaner blades so that design needs some more work! For now my manual cleaning lid is back on.

I've also been 3D printing the housings for my reef-pi build but I have had some setbacks with that due to funds, work and a long vacation. But i am hoping to do some more work on it in the coming weeks

Both my experience and from what I have read. I had a PLA vortech cover begin to collapse on itself over time—- seemingly “softening” rather than snapping as it should have with stress. Identical print in PETG (sane wall thickness, infill, etc) held up fine.

 

[MaccaPopEye]

Both my experience and from what I have read. I had a PLA vortech cover begin to collapse on itself over time—- seemingly “softening” rather than snapping as it should have with stress. Identical print in PETG (sane wall thickness, infill, etc) held up fine.

What timeframe was that over? I'm glad that someone actually has some experience to back that claim up though as I have been looking for over a year and every time someone says PLA is bad it turns out they just read it in an article (which I read too).

I found the first feeder ring was a little bit soft, but I couldn't put that down to being in the tank because as I said it was quite under extruded and had thin walls so it was pretty squishy to begin with. The nitrate reactor hasn't had any change to it's outer walls since I put it in over 6 months ago.

 

[MaccaPopEye]

I’ve made and sold a couple hundred of toggle boxes for Apex. You know, control your outputs and programs with a button instead of needing to take out your phone.

Nice, I actually saw your thread just didn't recognise the user name super glad that you have had so much interest in your product!

 

[saintsreturn]

This thread is useless without STL links!!!

Joking (kinda).

What material are you printing in? I like the frag rack legs and might run off a few

We will see what the community shares I dont have any files yet (about to start learning that part). That said, both PLA and PET; depending on the purpose of said item.

Just no PLA please xD

There will be some PLA and some PET, all depending on what the purpose of the item is. It all has its place in our tanks and there is a ton of research showing that PLA isnt the monster a few have made it out to be.

Hey Saintsreturn There is actually already a thready with a lot of great 3D printing inspo so make sure to check it out
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/get-any-part-you-need-right-here.321961/



@TheHarold have you actually used PLA in a reef or are you just saying that because you read something somewhere?

Yes, it could very well be possible that it breaks down over time. But when I looked into it PLA needed a pretty specific set of parameters and a specific type of bacteria to break down. On top of that I searched quite extensively and I found quite a few people who have used PLA for a couple of years with no issues and only one person who may have had issues with PLA but that wasn't really conclusive. Mostly it's just been people speculating that there is issues with it and that it will degrade and kill your reef etc.

I thought I would give PLA a go with a basic feeder ring which was in my tank for over 6 months with no signs of degrading before I printed a better one (the mounting point on this one didn't work well from the start). It was also a bad print (very, very under extruded) so any degradation would have been quite noticeable in that time and due to the thin walls and under extrusion it would likely have been quite fast too, but nothing happened.

Because that did ok I decided to step it up and print a nitrate reactor with PLA. This will house massive amounts of bacteria so if anything is going to degrade, this will be it! It's been in the tank for over 6 months now with no signs of breaking down so I'm keen to see how it goes long term.

I've also printed a light bracket for my fuge light. This isn't in contact with salt water, but heat was a concern. The light socket itself doesn't get over 30 degrees so it also shouldn't be an issue but I'm keeping an eye on it. 6 months of the light being on 24/7 so far without any warping from heat or moisture.

I have also 3D printed a protein skimmer auto neck cleaner in PLA but I have been having issues with the coupling snapping where it connects the motor shaft to the cleaner blades so that design needs some more work! For now my manual cleaning lid is back on.

I've also been 3D printing the housings for my reef-pi build but I have had some setbacks with that due to funds, work and a long vacation. But i am hoping to do some more work on it in the coming weeks

That is fantastic! When i searched, that one didnt make the front page so thank you for linking us all up!

Also, your work is nothing short of inspiring! I have looked at several different threads with it and appreciate the efforts you have done thus far. Your control box is what gave me the idea to make a "modular" box housing multiple outlets to avoid and oversized series of plugs or multiple power strips.

I’ve made and sold a couple hundred of toggle boxes for Apex. You know, control your outputs and programs with a button instead of needing to take out your phone.

Brilliant!

 

[MaccaPopEye]

That is fantastic! When i searched, that one didnt make the front page so thank you for linking us all up!

Also, your work is nothing short of inspiring! I have looked at several different threads with it and appreciate the efforts you have done thus far. Your control box is what gave me the idea to make a "modular" box housing multiple outlets to avoid and oversized series of plugs or multiple power strips.

Yeah it's a shame the thread doesn't have "3d printing" or something in it's name, it took me a little while to find it too.

And thank you for the kind words ;Happy I'm looking forward to seeing your take on a 3D printed enclosure as well!

 

[TheHarold]

What timeframe was that over? I'm glad that someone actually has some experience to back that claim up though as I have been looking for over a year and every time someone says PLA is bad it turns out they just read it in an article (which I read too).

I found the first feeder ring was a little bit soft, but I couldn't put that down to being in the tank because as I said it was quite under extruded and had thin walls so it was pretty squishy to begin with. The nitrate reactor hasn't had any change to it's outer walls since I put it in over 6 months ago.

You mentioned squishy- plastic should not be squishy unless it’s really degraded. Same thing I noticed. Mine was about two months I think.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey Saintsreturn There is actually already a thready with a lot of great 3D printing inspo so make sure to check it out
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/get-any-part-you-need-right-here.321961/



@TheHarold have you actually used PLA in a reef or are you just saying that because you read something somewhere?

Yes, it could very well be possible that it breaks down over time. But when I looked into it PLA needed a pretty specific set of parameters and a specific type of bacteria to break down. On top of that I searched quite extensively and I found quite a few people who have used PLA for a couple of years with no issues and only one person who may have had issues with PLA but that wasn't really conclusive. Mostly it's just been people speculating that there is issues with it and that it will degrade and kill your reef etc.

I thought I would give PLA a go with a basic feeder ring which was in my tank for over 6 months with no signs of degrading before I printed a better one (the mounting point on this one didn't work well from the start). It was also a bad print (very, very under extruded) so any degradation would have been quite noticeable in that time and due to the thin walls and under extrusion it would likely have been quite fast too, but nothing happened.

Because that did ok I decided to step it up and print a nitrate reactor with PLA. This will house massive amounts of bacteria so if anything is going to degrade, this will be it! It's been in the tank for over 6 months now with no signs of breaking down so I'm keen to see how it goes long term.

I've also printed a light bracket for my fuge light. This isn't in contact with salt water, but heat was a concern. The light socket itself doesn't get over 30 degrees so it also shouldn't be an issue but I'm keeping an eye on it. 6 months of the light being on 24/7 so far without any warping from heat or moisture.

I have also 3D printed a protein skimmer auto neck cleaner in PLA but I have been having issues with the coupling snapping where it connects the motor shaft to the cleaner blades so that design needs some more work! For now my manual cleaning lid is back on.

I've also been 3D printing the housings for my reef-pi build but I have had some setbacks with that due to funds, work and a long vacation. But i am hoping to do some more work on it in the coming weeks

That reef pi board is awesome!

 

[TheHarold]

Nice, I actually saw your thread just didn't recognise the user name super glad that you have had so much interest in your product!

Thanks! It’s been great.

Another product I had modeled but never took off was an apex PMUP stand. The stock PMUP strainer screws it to the pump. It would let you use the whole contents of your ATO.

Never took off though, unfortunately! If anyone wants the STL, I would be happy to share

 

[MaccaPopEye]

You mentioned squishy- plastic should not be squishy unless it’s really degraded. Same thing I noticed. Mine was about two months I think.

I mentioned that it was "squishy to begin with" because it was like that before it went into the tank, so it can't have been degraded at that point. But to be clearer I shouldn't have used different words to describe it before and after being in the water as that implies the feeling was different, but in reality it felt the same as when it went into the tank.

I've found PLA to actually be fairly flexible if it has thin walls and a cylinder printed with thin walls can be "squished" without breaking and without being degraded. The first time I printed the feeder ring it had thin walls and like I said it was quite under extruded, this is what caused it to be able to flex so easily without breaking and gave it a squishy feel, probably a poor choice of words on my part though

If you have had issues with PLA, especially after only 2 months, it makes me wonder if the cause could be either different brands having different properties (very possible). Or maybe your part was degraded more by the UV in your lights rather than bacteria in the water? The way my feeder ring is positioned it doesn't really get any direct light so it would be getting less UV light that something right below a light would?

I'll certainly will report back if any of mine ever fail. I'll hopefully finish building my new sump in 6 months and when I swap sumps it will give me a great chance to pull out the nitrate reactor (after over 12 months in the water) and check it for signs of breaking down

That reef pi board is awesome!

Thank you I hope to actually get it into service this year (work, study and family pending haha)

 

[MaccaPopEye]

Thanks! It’s been great.

Another product I had modeled but never took off was an apex PMUP stand. The stock PMUP strainer screws it to the pump. It would let you use the whole contents of your ATO.

Never took off though, unfortunately! If anyone wants the STL, I would be happy to share

Mate that's a great idea! Might have to see if I can model one up for my ATO pump (it's a different one to yours). I'm actually surprised that it didn't take off for Neptune ATO owners

 

[TheHarold]

Mate that's a great idea! Might have to see if I can model one up for my ATO pump (it's a different one to yours). I'm actually surprised that it didn't take off for Neptune ATO owners

Actually, someone just gave me the idea of incorporating a mount for a low-ato level float switch. I think that’s just what it needs to make it take off!! Will add it to my model and introduce it to the market to see demand

 

[muhteeus]

The larger question on PLA should be what would actually happen if trace amounts of lactic acid leached into your tank?

I have several files I worked with Saints on for his sump (adding sock holders, and replacing red parts with blue parts). I did some aesthetics for Bubble Magus skimmers.