This would be interesting for the hobby

[Mebeknob]

3D printing is still an emerging technology and I think the re are many applications yet to be discovered in the reef aquarium world.

It would be cool to be able to design your reef rock structure in CAD then have it shipped to you in a single piece.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I think it would be neat to create a sub-structure for the aquascape, and then glue pieces of rubble rock to it to make it look unique.

 

[Mebeknob]

Yes this would be cool. I think my favorite part would be to include holes that fit a frag plug perfectly. Then you could just drop them right in or leave empty ones there so there aren’t holes everywhere.
Also for Fish only systems very, some non-organic looking structures might be cool. These are not my style, but I still think they’re cool .

https://design-milk.com/haruka-misawas-enchanting-3d-printed-waterscape-aquariums/

 

[cvrle1]

3D printing has already been used on a larger scale in regards to reefs and corals in general. Reef Design Lab has printed a large coral and installed it in Maldives last month. Really good idea, and hopefully one that will in some form help reefs and their survival

https://3dprint.com/222891/largest-3d-printed-coral-reef/
https://news.mongabay.com/wildtech/...o-marine-restoration-3d-printing-coral-reefs/

 

[Greybeard]

In the oceans, as bases for growing corals, 3D printing seems a bit complex... Poured concrete seems to work just fine, and it's way cheaper than whatever polymer the 3d printers are using. Probably more eco friendly, as well.

As a substrate in an aquarium, where good looks weigh heavily... maybe. Live rock does much more than provide a place to put our corals. I'd need to know that the printed substrate provided a sufficient bacteriological growth medium. Yes, it's possible to move the bacterial filter to the sump... fill it with bio media of some sort. It'd be a pretty major change for most of us, though. Perhaps one day we'll be able to print detailed shapes from MarinePure ceramic media... now we're talking

3D printed objects simply useful in reefing? Oh yeah. I've got several clamps, clips, holders, etc. that were printed. All made by this guy:

https://printedreefingsolutions.com/

Does good work, reasonably priced, and has done custom designs to my specs.

 

[ReefInskeep]

I’ve thought about this for a while. I can’t wait until there is a company that fully utilizes the capabilities of 3D printing in reef tank applications. And hopefully one day there will be a 3D printing technology that can create super-porous aragonite structures.

 

[Mebeknob]

In the oceans, as bases for growing corals, 3D printing seems a bit complex... Poured concrete seems to work just fine, and it's way cheaper than whatever polymer the 3d printers are using. Probably more eco friendly, as well.

That first link I showed addressed these same issues. Apparently poured concrete isn't as successful as they had hoped. These guys are materials from the exact area the 3d printed structures will return. Kinda cool. Basically just sand and seawater bound with some magnesium compound mined from the ocean floor.
But yes the main issue I currently see with 3D printing is the issue of having places for bacteria to grow. I'd imagine this method would be more porus than the plymers used currently.

 

[Mebeknob]

3D printing has already been used on a larger scale in regards to reefs and corals in general.

Yes, and by the date of the first video I shared it’s been quite awhile. I was more pointing out the method they are using, basically sand, seawater and some magnesium compound.