Reef 3D printing request thread

[MarcosDelgado0]

I got a 3d printer as a trade for corals. Flashforge Creator Pro. A little older unit and not super fancy but it was a fun, but sometimes frustrating, learning experience. You need to tinker with calibrating parts of the printer, finding the right temperature for the material you're using, tweaking the print (3d slicer) settings for best results. Really disheartening coming back after 5 hours to check on a print in progress only to find it a big globby mess. Once you get the hang of it it's a really fun and handy tool to custom make things you need. Even for non-hobby things around the house it has been really useful for me.

I have no engineering or design background so I used FreeCAD, which is free, and looked up a bunch of YouTube tutorials on how to 3d model. Some miscellaneous things I've created for the reefing hobby:

Bracket to hold my mangrove plants while they're developing roots
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Frag plug stand for the jars I use to keep frags upright. Useful for like torches and hammers.
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Riser for frag plugs, to encourage frags to branch upwards and because I hate when the corals end up encrusting all over the eggcrate.
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Yeah I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos because I really want to learn how to design things and not just print premade files. I might have to hit you up for that jar frag plug stand though lol that looks really useful. Where do you get those cups btw? I got a few of those at CFM and I really liked them but I used them to put corals in the past frag swap.

 

[tribbitt]

Not those particular jars, but a lot of people use pee specimen cups. I personally use jello shot cups, but those are harder to reuse.

 

[CaseyP]

Amazon. They used to be about $0.50 a cup. I got some tall-narrow and some shorter-wider for different types of corals.

Amazon.com

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Amazon. They used to be about $0.50 a cup. I got some tall-narrow and some shorter-wider for different types of corals.

Amazon.com

I’m sure it is because you’ve been using them but is PET reef safe? I don’t remember where I read it but I recall someone saying to use polypropylene jars

 

[Srt4eric]

She's up and running again!!!!!

 

[Srt4eric]

@MarcosDelgado0 did you get your printer up and running?

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

@MarcosDelgado0 did you get your printer up and running?

Not yet It was supposed to arrive yesterday before noon but it got delayed in Tracy. Now FedEx says it’ll arrive tomorrow

 

[MichaelB]

She's up and running again!!!!!

Is there any chance, I can request a black or dark color mp40 nem gaurd from you for cfm ? I'm Willing to pay for your time/materials.

 

[Srt4eric]

Is there any chance, I can request a black or dark color mp40 nem gaurd from you for cfm ? I'm Willing to pay for your time/materials.

Just one?

 

[MichaelB]

Just one?

Yea I only have 1.

 

[Srt4eric]

Yea I only have 1.

It's on the printer now and will be done in 90 min

 

[Srt4eric]

Yea I only have 1.

 

[MichaelB]

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Maybe a dumb question but i don't have to worry about nem going through the front section assuming it would be blown away?

 

[Srt4eric]

I'm after a Kessil 350W light shade. I think this file will work with my model? I tried to buy the one off Chris Aquatics, but he doesn't ship to my address so I'm SOL buying one online. I also want one for a 150w, but can't find that anywhere (including a print file) anywhere. I'd prefer black filament if possible.

Did anyone make this for you yet? Im printing @MichaelB water diverter right now and can do this next.

 

[Srt4eric]

Your print has been initiated. Using black PETG. Time to completion: 2 hours, 3 minutes from now View attachment 60088

how did this turn out?

 

[Lullaby]

Did anyone make this for you yet? Im printing @MichaelB water diverter right now and can do this next.

Hey Eric, I haven't come across one in the wild nor have I gotten it printed from anyone here yet. Thank you lots!

 

[Srt4eric]

Hey Eric, I haven't come across one in the wild nor have I gotten it printed from anyone here yet. Thank you lots!

Are you coming to CFM?

 

[Srt4eric]

Hey Eric, I haven't come across one in the wild nor have I gotten it printed from anyone here yet. Thank you lots!

I'm printing the 350 shade now. I've got a shade for a 150 ready to print next.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

@MarcosDelgado0 did you get your printer up and running?

Finally got the time to set this up today!

 

[Srt4eric]

These fragging stations are pretty neat. 4 hour print but they are solid.