3D printing with calcium carbonate?

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Marine biologists have started printing complex reef structures from calcium carbonate any 3D printing experts want to chime in with thoughts? I wonder if this could be done by members of the hobby or if our home 3D printers are not yet equipped for this? Imagine 3D printing your whole aquascape no more Marco!

 

[Danroo]

I looked into this. 3D printing for the ocean sounds like a good idea but after I saw what was growing on it seems like a bad idea. What I learn in this hobby is the only way to make the corals grow are keeping the water and the temperature stable. The guy has good intentions which is why these can be used in reef tanks.

 

[N.Sreefer]

I looked into this. 3D printing for the ocean sounds like a good idea but after I saw what was growing on it seems like a bad idea. What I learn in this hobby is the only way to make the corals grow are keeping the water and the temperature stable. The guy has good intentions which is why these can be used in reef tanks.

Did you get to see what the 3D printed structures look like after being placed in the ocean? Couldn't find any pictures of this I imagine it would be like dry rock in our tanks it would look ugly for a bit until the undesirable algae is outcompeted. Printing a whole aquascape whatever shape you wanted would be amazing for the reef trade. Agree 100% on stability and coral culture I'm mainly talking aesthetically with the 3D structures.

 

[Danroo]

Did you get to see what the 3D printed structures look like after being placed in the ocean? Couldn't find any pictures of this I imagine it would be like dry rock in our tanks it would look ugly for a bit until the undesirable algae is outcompeted. Printing a whole aquascape whatever shape you wanted would be amazing for the reef trade. Agree 100% on stability and coral culture I'm mainly talking aesthetically with the 3D structures.

Yeah i saw it having some macro algae and sponges on it. Here’s the interview https://abc7chicago.com/coral-reef-climate-change-damaged-pollution/10993177/

 

[G Santana]

Aqua scape 3D printed, I know theres a market for it lol

 

[SantaMonica]

At the size of rocks and ledges, the "printing" is really just a squeezing out of large blobs, like with cake frosting.