3D Printed Media Basket for Filter Sock Holders

[magnetar68]

My Instagram feed kept showing this flexible media basket tower product from Printed Reef. A full stack is close to $80 shipped for a 4" Filter sock and I would need two. That's a bit pricey, so I used Claude AI to create a Python program that can generate something similar in FreeCAD. I still have a little of refining to do, but it works pretty well. I printed these out of PETG. They are test prints for the 4" filter, but they seem to work fine. These are shorter to make them print faster, so not that useful, but the shapes are configurable and driven by a parameter dialog that lets you change most of the parameters. This prints without supports. The main thing is that you specify the height of the top part which prints solid and the height of the bottom part which prints with an open lattice. EIther part can be 0 as well, to get all solid or all open. I am also working on a rectangular holder that lets you attach these cylindrical baskets.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

I like that they clip together. Makes it easier to use on sumps with tight spaces for filter socks, like my clown farm system.

Clever design

 

[magnetar68]

I forgot to say that these are stackable, but you figured that out. Here are modules similar to the Printer Reef 4" Start Kit: Circular Holder (4"), small cage (30mm), small tube(30mm), tall cage (90mm), tall tube (90mm), tall cup (90mm-->60mm/30mm tube/cage)

 

[blink]

Any chance you can print a 7 inch one?

 

[magnetar68]

Any chance you can print a 7 inch one?

Yeah, but do you want the whole stack or something smaller/different.

 

[ashburn2k]

you do not want to print 7inch one for this, the mesh will break away after a few use.

 

[magnetar68]

you do not want to print 7inch one for this, the mesh will break away after a few use.

I have not tried this 7” filter cage, but I have 3d printed things out of PETG. It is more stable in water than PLA or other plastics. This guy talks about plastic stability for aquarium use. I do see how the 7” may have to handle a lot of flow, but the wall thickness is a parameter. I wonder if that could help keep the mesh stable?

 

[blink]

Yeah, but do you want the whole stack or something smaller/different.

How about these pieces?

 

[jepoy]

Are you planning to sell these? I would definitely be interested.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

i am willing to help print these for the club at no profit.

 

[CaseyP]

I used Claude AI to create a Python program that can generate something similar in FreeCAD

It never occurred to me to try that! I'd consider myself a beginner/intermediate modeler with FreeCAD but maybe this can help me overcome some skill limitations for more advanced shapes. If using python, do you still have the ability to make edits with the usual workbenches?

 

[magnetar68]

Some answers to some questions:

I was not planning on selling these, but I am happy to do a reasonable number and size of prints. There’s an element of trial and error here.

I am happy to provide the program so others can print as well.

Yes, you can edit the primitives generated by the python script in FreeCAD, but the programmatic approach does not necessarily create the objects the way a person would, so the editing may not be as useful.

@blink , it would be helpful to get the exact dimensions of the outer hole and the lip of your sock holder in millimeters. That should allow me to maximize the diameter of the media baskets. 7” is about 177.5mm but I don’t know the lip of your sock holder.

 

[magnetar68]

Here is the program. This forum would not let me upload the file as a .PY, so you need to rename it to a .PY and remove the .TXT ending. You can just copy and paste it into a new FreeCAD Marco and not worry about renaming it as well.