How could 3D printing take reefing to the next level (or into an untapped space)?

[Steverd]

What filament is best/safest in an aquarium?
I print mostly in PLA filament now.

 

[CoraroC]

With cement 3d printing, I'm waiting for an aquascape to come out.

It is already here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coraroc-modular-aquascape-system.904609/

And videos: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwZHmJWpzcfb0pmiLISV_yg

 

[tbrown]

@Projects with Sam and I were discussing not just in the reefing world but in society in general just this morning. As 3D printers are becoming more and more available I'm seeing a significant rise in the amount of purchases I make that are most likely 3D printed and I've been finding lots of items that don't exist that can be 3D printed easily to make reefing easier.

 

[Grsfish]

What filament is best/safest in an aquarium?
I print mostly in PLA filament now.

From what I have read PETG. That’s what I use

 

[The Giz]

What filament is best/safest in an aquarium?
I print mostly in PLA filament now.

I've used both PLA and PETG in my tank for numerous different applications most items have been in the tank (SUMP) for over a year no side effects

 

[Peter A]

Once we get printing times down significantly, it will make it more viable.

The future is here. I just got a Bambu Lab X1Carbon printer and it is insanely fast and makes good quality prints.
I’ve had ideas for lots of quality of life improvements but with my old Ender printer I was not to enthusiastic about starting them. Now that I have this high speed printer that does quality prints at up to 300 mm/s it has drastically cut down printing times. Prints that would take a day on my Ender took a few hours on the Bambu Lab X1-C.
Here are a couple of things I have printed out in PETG. I made a cover for the return chamber on a reef octopus HOB classic 1000 skimmer to cut down on salt spray. I also printed out some anemone guards for MP40.
I have many more projects planned

 

[tbrown]

From what I have read PETG. That’s what I use

@Steverd PETG is food grade but supposedly so is PLA. The concern with PLA is that it may break down over time so it would be more of an integrity concern rather than a contamination issue as it breaks down.

 

[Peter A]

From what I have read PETG. That’s what I use

I have used food grade PETG for my prints. Most PETG is food safe it will depend on the additives used. I have also seen people saying they are using ABS but I have not seen a food grade ABS yet as most are not and the fumes from ABS printing are not safe.

 

[dantimdad]

I have used PLA in aquariums since I started and noticed no issues. The degrading I have seen is from heat not water.

 

[dantimdad]

The future is here. I just got a Bambu Lab X1Carbon printer and it is insanely fast and makes good quality prints.
I’ve had ideas for lots of quality of life improvements but with my old Ender printer I was not to enthusiastic about starting them. Now that I have this high speed printer that does quality prints at up to 300 mm/s it has drastically cut down printing times. Prints that would take a day on my Ender took a few hours on the Bambu Lab X1-C.
Here are a couple of things I have printed out in PETG. I made a cover for the return chamber on a reef octopus HOB classic 1000 skimmer to cut down on salt spray. I also printed out some anemone guards for MP40.
I have many more projects planned

I got a sunlu T3 and print at 200-250 but I still think we will get faster soon. I heard a rumor from someone I do manual corrections for that they are working on a 700mm/s core XY but I am betting it's with a .8mm nozzle and running PLA at 220 to get it to flow fast enough.

 

[landlubber]

of course they'll have a use in the industry. anything that uses suction cups, clamps or any other mounting option already has a good use for 3d prints.
one thing i have noticed up to now is that for every good print there are 10 pieces of useless garbage that serve as no more than pieces of pollution.

 

[j0359m]

I think the sky is the limit when it comes to designing and 3d printing stuff for the hobby... look at this and tell me that there's not more to 3d printing that hasn't been realized yet.

Completely 3d printed wetsaw designed specifically for our hobby.

yes but is it any cheaper to purchase?

 

[CWalters]

yes but is it any cheaper to purchase?

Honestly... I feel when it comes down to 3D printing, it's not always going to be "Cheaper" to print...but it is the joy of knowing that you were able to make something and have an actual use for it.

 

[crahan]

Does the printer plastic come in clear? I always thought it would be cool if someone made empty hermit crab shells in clear and if the crabs would use them.
I’d buy some.

 

[tbrown]

Does the printer plastic come in clear? I always thought it would be cool if someone made empty hermit crab shells in clear and if the crabs would use them.
I’d buy some.

You can get clear, yes.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Going to have to go with a hard "YES" on the main questions - Do you think there is more to 3D printing in the Reef Aquarium Hobby that is yet to be realized?

How could 3D printing take reefing to the next level (or into an untapped space)?

There are advancements being made in manufacturing using additive manufacturing techniques all over the place in almost every industry. The reefing hobby is no different. I think in general, additive manufacturing is going to displace and disrupt a lot of the more traditional injection molded/mass produced plastic parts.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Uhhh where is the instruction page for this?

It's out there, you just have to search for it...

yes but is it any cheaper to purchase?

With all the time spent in R&D? Absolutely!

Now that all the work is done, it's quite a bit cheaper than the lowest cost commercial one.

But that's just one of many things I've made for QoL improvements.

 

[crahan]

You can get clear, yes.

How cool would clear shell hermits be??

 

[tbrown]

How cool would clear shell hermits be??

I've seen naked hermit crabs before. Not something I want to see!

 

[rmcrom]

I made a recirculator for my C02 scrubber with my printer. And I made one of those Tunze ATO pump holders. And a bracket to mount a Kamoer X1 doser on the wall.