I 3D printed a protein skimmer!

GruberP · Mar 31, 2014

This is very much a version 1, but it worked well to prove the concept. I don't have a spare skimmer pump, so once I go out and grab one I'll be able to test this for real. What do you think?

3D Printed Protein Skimmer - Imgur

drewsteriam5 · Mar 31, 2014

Wow! Nice job. What kind of printer did you use? As far as I know extruded 3d prints aren't water tight, but in the context of something sitting inside a sump it shouldn't matter. Awesome idea. Let us know how it works. I may have to print one out on my machine.

PaulKreider · Mar 31, 2014

Sick! I love 3D printing!

spacetime · Mar 31, 2014

Is the plastic reef safe?

drewsteriam5 · Mar 31, 2014

The two affordable options in 3D printing right now in terms of plastics are ABS and PLA. Both of these are considered aquarium safe. That said, over time PLA will degrade, but it is biodegradable and safe either way. I believe it is made from corn where as ABS is made from petroleum.

MrDJeep123 · Mar 31, 2014

So I just put sheet of plastic in my printer and hit print and I have a protein skimmer? :tongue:

Russellaqua · Mar 31, 2014

That's awesome! And hey, if you're ever cleaning it, drop it, and something breaks, just print a new piece.

GruberP · Mar 31, 2014

Thanks for the responses everyone! I posted in some other places and I'm having a hard time keeping up with comments :) Reefbuilders actually just picked this up, check it out! Check out this crazy 3D printed protein skimmer

GruberP · Mar 31, 2014

And to answer some of the questions: I printed this in PLA but will be moving to ABS for version 2. The prints are water-tight, so there's no problems there, and everything was just done on a standard MakerBot Replicator 2. I also use a Mendelmax 2 and a Prusa i3.

drewsteriam5 · Mar 31, 2014

Are you sure the prints are water tight? It was my understanding that with extruded printing the prints may be able to hold water, they aren't truly water tight. Given the prints I see from my Prusa i3xl I don't believe they could ever be entirely water tight without some finishing work done.

luke33 · Mar 31, 2014

Ha, thats pretty sweet! So what did it cost to build?

GruberP · Mar 31, 2014

It was pretty cheap! A couple bucks worth of plastic, a few empty 2-liter bottles and a pump. That was it!

760mason · Mar 31, 2014

so cool. Too bad it cant print all the plumbing for a tank.

trickedout900 · Apr 2, 2014

That is super cool, good job and thanks for sharing!

Nate_Bro · Apr 4, 2014

760mason said:
so cool. Too bad it cant print all the plumbing for a tank.

Who ever said that it can't? :)

drewsteriam5 · Apr 4, 2014

Printing the plumbing for the tank would be impractical.

First, I maintain that extruded 3d prints are not entirely water tight. They're close, but guaranteeing a water tight part with every print just isn't possible.

Second, it would not be cost effective. Buying and cutting PVC would be much faster and cheaper.

Third, while strong, I don't know that 3d printed plumbing would be strong enough to last very long if put under any significant outward pressure.