*** Tank Talk with Top Lids & Avast Marine Giveaway!! WIN a Plank Autofeeder and Custom Lid for Your Tank!! ***

[bruce337]

TANK TALK: If you could make one thing easier in this hobby, what would you choose?

cheaper tank inhabitants and gear

 

[bruce337]

BONUS TANK TALK: Our hobby can be very technically challenging for many. How do you approach the technical side of the hobby? Is it something to be feared or reveled in?

technology is expensive

 

[Mschmidt]

The wife and I both want to get a 3D printer bit just haven't pulled the trigger on getting one yet.

It took some convincing from me to get one. It was an impulse as well. Microcenter had one on sale for $100 for new costumers. Evidently this happens often. You get a serviceable machine

We both tend to start a bunch of hobbies but not always finish them. So hate to the money on something we may not use but once or twice

What's a finished hobby? I made the deal that if I didn't bake 10 unique and useful things in the first 6 months, then use it once a month from then, I would sell it. Turns out when it's there, I can find reasons to use it.

 

[tbrown]

SO I dont know allot about 3D printers. My sisters BF has one and will normally make most things I ask him about. I was under the idea that you would just take a item place it inside and it would copy it...... and he was like nope does not work like that LOL BUT I see now it looks like the tech is getting to that point.

They also sell 3D scanners that ALMOST makes it work that way. Scan a 3D object, load it into the printer, print. Maybe not flawless or perfect, but workable.

 

[Firemanceej]

I've got a good topic for @Avast Justin and @Top_Lids

TANK TALK: With the increase in availability of 3D printers and 3D print files for reef/aquarium use, is there something keeping you from getting your own 3D printer? If you already have a 3D printer, was it the reefing hobby that drove you to take the plunge or was it something else and reefing just benefits?

I started 3d printing before I got into reefing and it can be way more time consuming than tank maintenance. Just as there can be an imbalance in the water, one imbalance in your printer and you can be spending hours figuring it out.

I absolutely love both though and have printed a few things for my tank and plan to do many more in the future. I would love make my own frag racks or better mushroom cages to fit my needs.

 

[slythy]

TANK TALK: With the increase in availability of 3D printers and 3D print files for reef/aquarium use, is there something keeping you from getting your own 3D printer? If you already have a 3D printer, was it the reefing hobby that drove you to take the plunge or was it something else and reefing just benefits?

I use 3d printers at work, I have wanted to get one at home but it takes up a tanks worth of realistate. I am weary of the engineering materials we use not being safe for contact with water. I think 3d printing for brackets and things that dont come in contact with water are what I use them for.

there is an endless amount of uses you just have to think/design what you need!

 

[Nate Chalk]

@Avast Justin @Top_Lids I see you guys are live streaming 12/22. What are we live streaming? or is it top secret classified

 

[tbrown]

I use 3d printers at work, I have wanted to get one at home but it takes up a tanks worth of realistate. I am weary of the engineering materials we use not being save for contact with water. I think 3d printing for brackets and things that dont come in contact with water are what I use them for.

there is an endless amount of uses you just have to think/design what you need!

PETG and ABS from reputable companies are supposed to be reef safe. Lots of people use those materials in our tanks already - protein skimmer parts, HOB filters, sump dividers, PVC piping, etc.

I have several pieces of PETG 3D printed items in my reef courtesy of @Projects with Sam , @Mschmidt , and @Vivid Creative Aquatics . I think you raise a valid point - and one that has been discussed in research papers, forums, and and blogs quite passionately.

 

[slythy]

PETG and ABS from reputable companies are supposed to be reef safe. Lots of people use those materials in our tanks already - protein skimmer parts, HOB filters, sump dividers, PVC piping, etc.

I have several pieces of PETG 3D printed items in my reef courtesy of @Projects with Sam , @Mschmidt , and @Vivid Creative Aquatics . I think you raise a valid point - and one that has been discussed in research papers, forums, and and blogs quite passionately.

I believe our ABS isnt safe based on contacting the manufacturer, I would not put it in my tank, but our PETG is safe.

I think if you dont know what you are looking for its best to use known safe materials. Our printers arent open source so I have to use their brand materials

 

[ctenophore]

PETG and ABS from reputable companies are supposed to be reef safe. Lots of people use those materials in our tanks already - protein skimmer parts, HOB filters, sump dividers, PVC piping, etc.

I have several pieces of PETG 3D printed items in my reef courtesy of @Projects with Sam , @Mschmidt , and @Vivid Creative Aquatics . I think you raise a valid point - and one that has been discussed in research papers, forums, and and blogs quite passionately.

Right, we use USA-made PETG filament here for the Plank. I use 10kg spools. I'd use the 25kg spools but changing them would need special equipment! And, strangely, they cost more per kg than the 10's.

 

[Reef Wizard]

I've got a good topic for @Avast Justin and @Top_Lids

TANK TALK: With the increase in availability of 3D printers and 3D print files for reef/aquarium use, is there something keeping you from getting your own 3D printer? If you already have a 3D printer, was it the reefing hobby that drove you to take the plunge or was it something else and reefing just benefits?

I have a had a printer since 2016 for models and just that its cool lol

And I see what you did there "reefing the benefits"

 

[Mschmidt]

I wouldn't use abs as I have heard many times it's toxic. at least the fumes are. the chemical resistance it offers would be nice, but nothing I make needs to outlast it's usefulness in my tank.

VCA uses what I believe is TPU for their rfgs. I've used TPU for baby teethers that held up in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Also @tbrown, that mushroom cage you got from me is PLA.

 

[SaltyCabbage]

Bonus build thread update: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/5g-n-wennerae-pico.1003972/

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

First off, what an amazing opportunity fot this community! I've been a part of other forums with sponsors and I've never seen a contest like this, to drive discussion and interaction from both the sponsor(s) and community! Bravo to the planners and sponsors!

OFFICIAL ENTRY:
I am in the process of starting my "new" 2nd hand Innovative Marine 50gal Lagoon! I am on a tight budget but I'm going to make it happen. At the moment, the best I'll be able to do is a DIY lid solution. I was shopping for a TopLid already actually so the opportunity to win, sign me up! And maybe even win an autofeeder too?! Absolutely. It would be great to have a solution of ensuring adequate nutrition, especially on long work days/weeks.

Looking forward to participating in the discussions. I just joined yesterday, so I've got a lot of entries to make up for.

 

[shrimpnreefdude]

I've got a good topic for @Avast Justin and @Top_Lids

TANK TALK: With the increase in availability of 3D printers and 3D print files for reef/aquarium use, is there something keeping you from getting your own 3D printer? If you already have a 3D printer, was it the reefing hobby that drove you to take the plunge or was it something else and reefing just benefits?

I'm not sure if this counts as an entry. I know it's yesterday's topic but I wanted to share something I was gifted yesterday and it fit the topic. Given to me by a member of a local forum (Bay Area Reefers)!
Little mushroom jailhouse!

The 3D product world is amazing and complex (for some like me). Personally, I'm already inundated with my aquarium chores. Picking up another hobby will simply pull me away mentally and physically. Having others that enjoy making things and selling or gifting is good enough for me.

 

[Mschmidt]

I'm not sure if this counts as an entry. I know it's yesterday's topic but I wanted to share something I was gifted yesterday and it fit the topic. Given to me by a member of a local forum (Bay Area Reefers)!
Little mushroom jailhouse!

The 3D product world is amazing and complex (for some like me). Personally, I'm already inundated with my aquarium chores. Picking up another hobby will simply pull me away mentally and physically. Having others that enjoy making things and selling or gifting is good enough for me.

It's fine that's it's yesterday's topic. @tbrown isn't in charge, just having fun. unless I missed something. Welcome to the party.

 

[JoJosReef]

It's fine that's it's yesterday's topic. @tbrown isn't in charge, just having fun. unless I missed something. Welcome to the party.

They figured it was cheaper to hire him than keep giving him stuff.

 

[Mschmidt]

They figured it was cheaper to hire him than keep giving him stuff.

Your not wrong.

 

[GuppyHJD]

I have looked at alot of 3D printers. A good friend has a few and has printed parts for my tank for me.
It's just one more piece of equipment for space and learning - I am running out of both

 

[tbrown]

It's fine that's it's yesterday's topic. @tbrown isn't in charge, just having fun. unless I missed something. Welcome to the party.

Nope, no promotion yet!