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5v Small Aquarium Filter

Small filter build on top of 5v usb pump, one used in pet fountains.
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updated November 11, 2024

Description

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This project might be useful for nano aquariums, especially when they’re freshly started. It'll move water around helping a little with bacteria bloom and provide mechanichal filtering from small debris which like to come up and there’s nothin else to brake and consume it.

I’ve tested it with my experimental nano cube and it worked nicely especially for mechanical filtration - a kind of wood I’ve used for decoration likes to create a lot of dark gunk early on.

To improve filtration capabilities you can use an old medium if you have one, or submerge new one in established aquarium prior to using it.

 

All items are scaled to connect with ~8mm dimater pipes.

The used pump is a generic pet water fountain pump. I've tested the models with two different kinds of these pumps and they fit, so I'm guessing most are made according to similar template.

The models were made with the parametrized Fusion 360 file that's available here:

https://www.printables.com/model/1064695-parametric-aquarium-filters-elements

 

Printing

  • use PETG - or any filament that’s food safe and won’t leak anything toxic into the water.
    • Be sure to confirm with you preferred manufacture documentation the filament is food safe.
    • It’s just my opinion so do as you think is best for your aquariums - the prints might not neccesarly need extra processing, like coating or sealing - as compared to prints inteded to be used with food like cutlery, storage and so on. In this case unsealed layers just create more room for nitrification bactera to grow.
      • It worked for me and aquariums are still alive and look fine, but as always caution is advisable.
  • The best looking pipes should be printed vertically.
    • The horizontal orientation is doable with supports - and they print much faster. BUT each end is a bit malformed, and the tolerance between insert/socket ends of the pipes were made with verticall orientation in mind.
    • Vertical orientation will create pipes more resistant to compression, like inserting in one another - they will not brake that easily compared to horizontal.
      • But it’s completely opposite when it comes to flexibility. Vertical layers will more likely brake when flexed.
  • Valve was designed to  be printed in place - it should be printed in horizontal position.

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

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