Red_Beard's 75 Tank Build

[MegabiteOG]

I've made a thing or two in the past, but havent had much luck as far as printing it goes. Mainly because I dont have a printer haha. I ought to get one someday... seems to be a very valuable tool to have!

I had no idea how much I would use it until I got one recently. Today, I needed a new holder for my ATO water sensor and did a quick design and printed it. It really is a cool tool.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I had no idea how much I would use it until I got one recently. Today, I needed a new holder for my ATO water sensor and did a quick design and printed it. It really is a cool tool.

Yea, I need to add it to my list. I never really think of it till I need it, then by then I've already ordered something so I don't need it again haha

 

[Red_Beard]

I had no idea how much I would use it until I got one recently. Today, I needed a new holder for my ATO water sensor and did a quick design and printed it. It really is a cool tool.

That is the truth. Tom was just saying the same thing over on his thread too. It really is super handy, especially if you can draw up your own stuff quick.

 

[UncommonSense]

Yea, I need to add it to my list. I never really think of it till I need it, then by then I've already ordered something so I don't need it again haha

I started to really see the value in 3D printing when I hit a wall designing my hexagon tank’s return plumbing…

The goal was 6x 1/4” return lines with RFGs, to maximize the eductor effect of the RFGs…

So, how to get one 3/4” return pipe to split six directions cleanly inside a cylinder?

these layouts would have worked, but were far from pretty/clean… (also, you can’t really buy 30 degree elbows to suit a hexagon’s shape!)

So, what about a six-port hexagonal manifold?

All I could find were brass and steel examples, not suited to saltwater use…

— This is when I decided to text the above photo (or one similar) to a buddy whom is deep down the SLA printing rabbit hole… explaining my design constraints… he responded with “easy!”

It took less than 72 hours of texting back and forth from opposite sides of the country to end up going from this:

To this:

These “Hexifolds” are printed in a bio-compatible resin, and are remarkably precise in the threads! (3/4”FNPT inlet, 6x 1/4”FNPT outlets)

— I’ve been running one of these two for around 10 months now, and would be surprised if I ever need the spare by this point!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I started to really see the value in 3D printing when I hit a wall designing my hexagon tank’s return plumbing…

The goal was 6x 1/4” return lines with RFGs, to maximize the eductor effect of the RFGs…

So, how to get one 3/4” return pipe to split six directions cleanly inside a cylinder?

these layouts would have worked, but were far from pretty/clean… (also, you can’t really buy 30 degree elbows to suit a hexagon’s shape!)

So, what about a six-port hexagonal manifold?

All I could find were brass and steel examples, not suited to saltwater use…

— This is when I decided to text the above photo (or one similar) to a buddy whom is deep down the SLA printing rabbit hole… explaining my design constraints… he responded with “easy!”

It took less than 72 hours of texting back and forth from opposite sides of the country to end up going from this:

To this:

These “Hexifolds” are printed in a bio-compatible resin, and are remarkably precise in the threads! (3/4”FNPT inlet, 6x 1/4”FNPT outlets)

— I’ve been running one of these two for around 10 months now, and would be surprised if I ever need the spare by this point!

That came out awesome! I'm have so many uses for it outside of reefing as well. I'm dumb for not buying one yet haha

 

[nmo.ij2]

Also for those following along, an update on the hair algae saga:
Was out last week and this is what i came home to:

I picked a bunch sunday and a little more monday and this is how far the clean up crew have been able to take it:

Focusing on an area at a time i have found gives the CUC a chance to focus in and give it a good clean after ive manually removed it. In the spots they have really knuckled down, it is clean and bare. Little by little it is getting better and better. (Aside from the cyano... but that is next on the list)

Nice tank! I love it

 

[Red_Beard]

I started to really see the value in 3D printing when I hit a wall designing my hexagon tank’s return plumbing…

The goal was 6x 1/4” return lines with RFGs, to maximize the eductor effect of the RFGs…

So, how to get one 3/4” return pipe to split six directions cleanly inside a cylinder?

these layouts would have worked, but were far from pretty/clean… (also, you can’t really buy 30 degree elbows to suit a hexagon’s shape!)

So, what about a six-port hexagonal manifold?

All I could find were brass and steel examples, not suited to saltwater use…

— This is when I decided to text the above photo (or one similar) to a buddy whom is deep down the SLA printing rabbit hole… explaining my design constraints… he responded with “easy!”

It took less than 72 hours of texting back and forth from opposite sides of the country to end up going from this:

To this:

These “Hexifolds” are printed in a bio-compatible resin, and are remarkably precise in the threads! (3/4”FNPT inlet, 6x 1/4”FNPT outlets)

— I’ve been running one of these two for around 10 months now, and would be surprised if I ever need the spare by this point!

That is pretty neat, Is that also the same from your avatar pic? Does the pressure distribution stay fairly equal?
I bet it does hold up for forever, especially where it isn't submerged. SLA can get some crazy good resolution nowdays too!

 

[UncommonSense]

That is pretty neat, Is that also the same from your avatar pic? Does the pressure distribution stay fairly equal?
I bet it does hold up for forever, especially where it isn't submerged. SLA can get some crazy good resolution nowdays too!

It is indeed!

It is perfectly equal; given that all six outlets are identical fluid paths from the inlet! (And, all the internal walls are carefully filleted… it would be challenging to get a fitting with such low frictional loss via any other manufacturing method short of maybe CNC milling!)

— I did add 1/4” MNPT to 1/4” LocLine ball valve adapter fittings where needed to direct more or less flow to any of the desired outlets!

— as you can see, one outlet is emerged, with no nozzle, and valved down to a trickle… this serves as my static siphon break in the event of a power outage… then, I open the valve up for a few seconds at feeding time to spray whatever I’m feeding deep into the water column!

Agreed, it’s a completely solid part, and isn’t even showing signs of UV degradation despite living under the tank lighting! I believe the printer this fitting was made on was under $500, too!

 

[UncommonSense]

I bet it does hold up for forever, especially where it isn't submerged. SLA can get some crazy good resolution nowdays too!

As an aside, I’ve been tempted to put pipe plugs in all the ports of my spare manifold, then pressurize it to see just how much abuse it can handle… given the wall thickness, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happily holds 120PSI’

 

[Red_Beard]

As an aside, I’ve been tempted to put pipe plugs in all the ports of my spare manifold, then pressurize it to see just how much abuse it can handle… given the wall thickness, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happily holds 120PSI’

I would be very interested to know that too! I bet you hit schedule 40 at least LOL. I don't know i would risk my spare for that though.

 

[Red_Beard]

Nice tank! I love it

Thank you!

 

[UncommonSense]

I would be very interested to know that too! I bet you hit schedule 40 at least LOL. I don't know i would risk my spare for that though.

That’s the beauty of 3D printing! — I can always make more!

(I’d see about getting it printed starting from the 3/4” FNPT side if printing again, a rough face on that side would be preferable to the flat top surface with lettering!)

 

[MegabiteOG]

That came out awesome! I'm have so many uses for it outside of reefing as well. I'm dumb for not buying one yet haha

I print more stuff for around the house than for the tank. Most of us probably do.

 

[Red_Beard]

Guess who has 2 thimbs and finally cleaned his glass...
This guy!

Still looks pretty bare on that left side. I have been contemplating next moves. Right now, i think I'll separate the remaining 2 structures a little more, that will open me up some space for tables on the sides. Then im thinking to see if i can sell the frogskin, forest fire digi, and birds of paradise. That will open up the whole top of the left structure. I have tons more sand space now for another zoa island and plates and stuff too

 

[That Crusso Kid]

The "PP pen" (Yes, that is what the box says too. polypro magigoo print bed glue) i ordered showed up, and some other fun news... I convinced my boss that we need a 3d printer at the office to print "brackets" (also he is a huge nerd like me and wanted one too) so he ordered a P2S LOL. It will be here tomorrow. Guess i know what i will be doing for lunch hour!

Winning!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Guess who has 2 thimbs and finally cleaned his glass...
This guy!

Still looks pretty bare on that left side. I have been contemplating next moves. Right now, i think I'll separate the remaining 2 structures a little more, that will open me up some space for tables on the sides. Then im thinking to see if i can sell the frogskin, forest fire digi, and birds of paradise. That will open up the whole top of the left structure. I have tons more sand space now for another zoa island and plates and stuff too

Man, I would love a piece of the forest fire digi! I can't find any in SLC!

 

[skey44]

Guess who has 2 thimbs and finally cleaned his glass...
This guy!

Still looks pretty bare on that left side. I have been contemplating next moves. Right now, i think I'll separate the remaining 2 structures a little more, that will open me up some space for tables on the sides. Then im thinking to see if i can sell the frogskin, forest fire digi, and birds of paradise. That will open up the whole top of the left structure. I have tons more sand space now for another zoa island and plates and stuff too

I see so much potential for this reset/rescape! Looking good.
Maybe you should just hide your large bread and butter type pieces in the back of the aquascape? That’s been my method so far!

 

[Red_Beard]

Man, I would love a piece of the forest fire digi! I can't find any in SLC!

That will not be hard to arrange. I think the weekend of the 21-22 we will be going through the SLC/Ogden area and can bring a huge chunk with me. PM me if you are serious.

 

[Red_Beard]

I see so much potential for this reset/rescape! Looking good.
Maybe you should just hide your large bread and butter type pieces in the back of the aquascape? That’s been my method so far!

That is what i thought too, but now they are getting so big they are shading stuff toward the front! LOL They need trimmed back at very least, but that top center has been prime growing real estate I have been eyeing for some contest frags.

 

[skey44]

That is what i thought too, but now they are getting so big they are shading stuff toward the front! LOL They need trimmed back at very least, but that top center has been prime growing real estate I have been eyeing for some contest frags.

I heard contest frags really like the bottom corner of the tank.