3D Printed Pod Hotel

[IgnatiusRath]

I've been looking around for examples of 3D printing projects for my tank and haven't seen that anyone has printed a pod hotel yet. I've found homemade pod hotels out of pipe and a few from acrylic people have made, but nothing 3D printed. I'm thinking of printing a box with open sides and a lid, then cutting corrugated plastic sheets to fit inside for the pods to grow in. Has anyone made something like this or seen example pictures out there?

This is a rough first design for the box without the lid. I could then layer sheets of the corrugated plastic inside for small tubes the pods can live in.

 

[windlasher]

What kind of Printer do you have? I read somewhere that PLA will dissolve in SW which has kept me from going nuts with my makerbot. Not sure about the other kinds.

 

[IgnatiusRath]

It's an older printer my roommate owns, a Wanhao Duplicator 4. We have PLA and ABS and from what I had read some of those can be reef safe although they may not all last long. I'd really like more info or resources on that too as I'm totally new to 3D printing and have a long list of things I want to make for my tanks.

 

[mcgyvr]

What kind of Printer do you have? I read somewhere that PLA will dissolve in SW which has kept me from going nuts with my makerbot. Not sure about the other kinds.

Thats a rumor really..
PLA is typically just fine..

 

[scottwhitson]

A somewhat local to me guy is making some pretty sweet things with a 3D printer including his "pod condo"
http://www.barraquatic.com/PodCondo.php

 

[IgnatiusRath]

That pod condo is awesome! I really like the design and actually think that's better than being able to open it to move the corrugated plastic between tanks. Just print a few of those and I could move them from the sump to the DT.

 

[windlasher]

Thats a rumor really..
PLA is typically just fine..

SO explain.. Tha nature of your comment makes it useless.

"It's a rumor, REALLY? TYPICALLY Just fine?"

Sounds like there may be a caveat in there.

 

[mcgyvr]

Its pva plastic thats water soluble not pla..people often confuse the 2..
Pla is usually just fine for most applications and for other people can use abs or others...Ive been using a pla/pha blend and really like it..

 

[windlasher]

Its pva plastic thats water soluble not pla..people often confuse the 2..
Pla is usually just fine for most applications and for other people can use abs or others...Ive been using a pla/pha blend and really like it..

That's all I'm saying - Thank you.

To the OP.. There are a few Pod Hotels on Thingverse if you don't feel like reinventing the wheel.

 

[CVReefer]

PLA can break down in saltwater if parts are very thin. Thus takes weeks to months depending on conditions. Anything more than 1/8" thick should be fine.

PETG & ABS are other great materials.

I've also made some pod havens as well as many other things

 

[IgnatiusRath]

Thank you all for the feedback and info. This is exactly what I was looking for. I'll definitely take a look around Thingverse for other designs. Don't need to invent new wheels at all, just gotta find the right wheels for my tank. Any fun tank related beginner projects anyone could recommend I could try after the pod condo's?

 

[mcgyvr]

Float Switch mounts
Feeding Rings.
Probe holders.
Siphon tube attachments for cleaning.