Protein skimmer for sea water aquarium

thingiverse

Protein skimmer to a sea water aquarium. Update 08.02.2016 I added video from the collection cup. Printed in PLA, but there are some issues. Because it´s in an aquarium, I didn't use anyhing such as XTC-3D to make this watertight, because I'm afraid that XTC-3D would harm the inhabitants in some way. So there will be some water which will penetrate parts, and there will be some air bubbles coming through underwater parts in some period of time. Also remember that PLA is biodegradable, so maybe ABS would be a better material. I have not tested printing this in ABS. I used XTC-3D only on collection cup and also used silicone there to seal the collection cup bottom to the acrylic tube. Pump is Red Devil SP1 needle wheel and the filter is from DealExtreme SKU 217549. I used o-rings between pump and bottom, between top and collection cup, also in the flow control tube to bring enough friction that the water pressure wouldn't lift the tube out. Skimmer will need those tube holders, otherwise it won't stay upright, because all of the weight is in front of the skimmer. I used only two holders, but there is also TUBE HOLDER MIDDLE-part if you want to use more holders. Tank glass thickness is 6mm. My acrylic tube is standard clear tube with radius of 35mm, thickness 3mm and height 200mm (tried also with 400mm). Skimming adjustment is also quite challenging. BOTTOM-part took about 12 hours to print so you should really think twice before you start to print this. For me this was just an experiment, because I wanted to know if it is possible to make a skimmer with 3D-printer. Please watch the video underneath this text, and make decision to print or not. Print Settings Printer: Prenta Duo XL Rafts: No Supports: Yes Infill: 20 - 40 % Notes: Printed in PLA at 210°. Custom Section