3D Print Noob- Looking for Advice!!

[Adam Houston]

Hey Reef Fam!! I saw a similar thread related to 3D printing aquarium parts but would like a bit more advice & insight from you experienced printers. I am thinking about buying the Bambu Lab P1S but I was wondering, are there any other 3D Printers like Prusa or Anycubic that you guys would recommend for printing PETG, ABS & PC filament or is the P1S the best on the market? I’m not sure if I need the P1S with AMS combo for multicolor printing but I really don’t want to go over my $750 budget unless I absolutely have to Lol

—Ideally I’m hoping to print parts for saltwater and freshwater hobbyists and I know this might sound a bit crazy but I actually want to start slow making parts for myself & friends and then eventually build my skills up enough to start creating my own custom parts to sell online and at my buddies fish store. Here’s a list of parts I had in mind so please if you get a chance, let me know if these are even doable on a P1S:

—Aquarium lids (maybe PC?)
—Frag racks
—Filter media baskets
—Filter Cups
—Controller/power mounts
—Light Shades
—Sump baffles
—Skimmer stands
—Plant holders

—Btw I have been watching several YouTube videos and tinkering around with TinkerCad, plus as an artist I have no problem spending hours drawing, editing etc. on my MacBook. I do work full-time so I wonder if this type of endeavor would be too time consuming to manage on the side. I’m hoping this could eventually turn into a little additional side income!

 

[Grog]

I have a Bambu A1 with the AMS. This is my 6th printer I've owned, and I love it. It is easily the best printer I've ever owned, filament or resin. It prints PETG without any issues and IMO PETG is what you will likely use for marine tanks.

So, if your budget supports the higher-end Bambu product, I'd say go for it. Or maybe save some money and get the A1 unless you need a specific feature that is available on the P1S. (Maybe use the extra cash for filament and extra nozzles, plates, etc. ) Either way, Bambu Labs product is solid, there are so many little things you notice after using it. They paid attention to the details.

I just wrapped up printing an overflow box and sump baffles for a pending tank upgrade. All PETG using my A1.

Also, TinkerCAD works great for this hobby. It is quirky but its free so who's to complain. :p

 

[Adam Houston]

I have a Bambu A1 with the AMS. This is my 6th printer I've owned, and I love it. It is easily the best printer I've ever owned, filament or resin. It prints PETG without any issues and IMO PETG is what you will likely use for marine tanks.

So, if your budget supports the higher-end Bambu product, I'd say go for it. Or maybe save some money and get the A1 unless you need a specific feature that is available on the P1S. (Maybe use the extra cash for filament and extra nozzles, plates, etc. ) Either way, Bambu Labs product is solid, there are so many little things you notice after using it. They paid attention to the details.

I just wrapped up printing an overflow box and sump baffles for a pending tank upgrade. All PETG using my A1.

Also, TinkerCAD works great for this hobby. It is quirky but its free so who's to complain. :p

Glad to hear that man! I’ve read so many great reviews on Bambu Labs line of printers and only a handful of negative ones so I’m feeling like that’s the route I should go. No way, so I actually had overflow boxes on my list but I wasn’t too sure if those were possible- did you make a hob style? I would definitely like to print some of those in the near future.

 

[Fractal ReefWorks]

I run the Bambu labs p1s with the ams, and purely print petg anymore since 90% of the stuff I print is for marine aquariums.
The ams is my lazy way of having multiple colors on standby for that next print job.
Tinkercad is a great way to start but recommend figuring out fusion360 as it is much easier to get that perfect design.

Remember dont steal peoples stl’s
Being able to design and print has made it to where I rarely buy coral now.

 

[Adam Houston]

I run the Bambu labs p1s with the ams, and purely print petg anymore since 90% of the stuff I print is for marine aquariums.
The ams is my lazy way of having multiple colors on standby for that next print job.
Tinkercad is a great way to start but recommend figuring out fusion360 as it is much easier to get that perfect design.

Remember dont steal peoples stl’s
Being able to design and print has made it to where I rarely buy coral now.

Thanks for the feedback man! I’m definitely about to pull the trigger on the P1S-AMS combo. It looks like it can print everything I have in mind and I would prefer an enclosed printer so that should be good. I have heard of Fusion360 but I’m so new that I wasn’t sure what the best software is for creating 3Ds- I will definitely check that out asap. So the stl is the design file or model right? I haven’t dived that far into the research but I know I need to avoid stealing or copying and selling other licensed models. Do you create everything from scratch or use other templates as a base to make adjustments and edit to your liking?

 

[whoasked]

I have a creality k1 and I love it. Reason I got it was for the speed. Bambu lab has a better printer, but I can pump a high quality print out pretty darn fast. I design in freecad and it's also pretty easy to get the hang of. As far as a side hustle, I got two kids and it would be way too time consuming on top of my full time gig. Love the printing as a hobby though.

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

Thanks for the feedback man! I’m definitely about to pull the trigger on the P1S-AMS combo. It looks like it can print everything I have in mind and I would prefer an enclosed printer so that should be good. I have heard of Fusion360 but I’m so new that I wasn’t sure what the best software is for creating 3Ds- I will definitely check that out asap. So the stl is the design file or model right? I haven’t dived that far into the research but I know I need to avoid stealing or copying and selling other licensed models. Do you create everything from scratch or use other templates as a base to make adjustments and edit to your liking?

I just got the bamboo p1s combo just recently and I have been 3d printing for 10 years. Its the best for the price hands down. look at Thingiverse.com to download prints its the best way to start. then if you want to dab into design look at www.tinkercad.com its free and very very basic. I made a lot of prints from there. Fusion 360 is what I use now and love it. took me about 2-3 months of daily tinkering and youtube to get good with that software. the downside to fusion 360 is its about $80 a month to make 3d printable files

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If you have the money the P1s is an excellent printer that will let you print some of the higher end filament abs for example. I use an A1 by Bambu and absolutely love mine.

 

[Grog]

No way, so I actually had overflow boxes on my list but I wasn’t too sure if those were possible- did you make a hob style? I would definitely like to print some of those in the near future.

Here are some shots of the overflow I made. Designed it so it is internal, and siliconed around fully on the sides, not just on a seam. The 90 cut out is to handle the silicone seam in the tank. This should fit any Aqueon. I went with blue PETG to match my tank's back color.




Designed and printed a jig so the hole placement is correct.


And a shot of it siliconed in. Other hole is for my return.

 

[jayfrindt]

I can’t think of a reason to print with PC. Almost certainly would want an enclosed printer for that. Otherwise PETG is just fine. Or even ASA for some cases.

I have an A1 w/ AMS for trinkets. X1 for perfect calibrations fast. Then I use the calibrated setting for my P1S’s.

AMS on the X1, but couldn’t find the need for more than the one outside of having one for my A1. P1S/X1 AMS became easy for storing and keeping colors on standby. I don’t print multicolor on either model anymore. Too wasteful and the A1 is faster anyway for multicolor prints.

I run my filaments directly from printdry driers. I am starting to find the new PolyMaker drier more handy and easier to use…only draw back is that I can’t run 3kg and 5kg spools.