Testing a 3D printed return pump stand idea

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

So, this idea came from the need to add a 3rd L2 in my return chamber. I want to position the L2 in a way that the motor was standing up in the air. Another positive of this was that I was increasing the displacement in the return section of my sump. I really like it and it works great. But, I don’t think I want the water pulled up from that opening. I’m going to have a series of triangles along the outside to draw water in from about 1.5” above the bottom of the sump. I will also have a cone on the interior added to increase efficiency. I only run these at around 45-50% so, the immediate 90 doesn’t bother me. As it turns out, I am adding a chiller and the return will dump into this chamber as well. With the motor placement being elevated above the waterline, this will also drive my efficiency up.

Question: I have no clue what kind of material this was printed on. I’m running it for the night to se how it holds up. I know there is a concern about leaching. But, is there any concerns with this going for 24 hours and then pulling it out?

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

1 issue you may run into is heat from the motor sticking out of the water, which could cause a premature failure. Im sure being a sealed motor the water movement across the body dissipates the heat to keep the pump running cooler. Might use a IR gun and take readings on the temp across the motor housing to ensure it is not getting to hot.

 

[helmsreef]

1 issue you may run into is heat from the motor sticking out of the water, which could cause a premature failure. Im sure being a sealed motor the water movement across the body dissipates the heat to keep the pump running cooler. Might use a IR gun and take readings on the temp across the motor housing to ensure it is not getting to hot.

Ehh, the L2 can run externally out of water so it shouldn’t be an issue

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Ehh, the L2 can run externally out of water so it shouldn’t be an issue

Good to know! Never ran one or looked into the pumps, was just a thought :)

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Ehh, the L2 can run externally out of water so it shouldn’t be an issue

I have 2 other L2’s that are externally mounted on 2 of my 3 closed loops. Zero issues.

 

[mpatterson42]

Question: I have no clue what kind of material this was printed on. I’m running it for the night to se how it holds up. I know there is a concern about leaching. But, is there any concerns with this going for 24 hours and then pulling it out?

A day is probably fine to test with. If it's printed in PETG you'll be fine to keep it in there for the long term (I don't think there's enough information to say how long a printed PETG object will last in a saltwater aquarium, but it's probably going to last years). If it's PLA it will start to break down in weeks/months depending on the thickness and specific manufacturing. ABS and TPU are probably fine as well.