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Water Aerator, no need for airstones or airpumps!

A more silent water aerator that uses water pressure to draw in air by using the Venturi effect.
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updated December 22, 2024

Description

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I decided to make a water aerator that uses water pressure to draw in air, the water enters in the bottom chamber and exits through two vents, in the process it pulls in air from the upper chamber. This way you don't need a noisy air compressor to aerate water and you can build it directly on your 3d printer. Especially nice for those who got an aquarium or hydroponics setup in a small apartment. The miniature version works with a friction fit to standard garden hoses meanwhile the full size version got soda cap threads (PC1881) where you can fit your own 3d printed caps.

I have so far only tested the miniature version and the threads on the larger version. You can see the miniature in action here:

It is a bit noisy from at the end of the input air hose, however I believe this can be solved with a 3d printed muffler (haven't modelled or tested one yet) and I didn't notice as much noise when using unreinforced silicone tubing.

Update 16.07.2020: I have now tested the full sized version, it works but the smaller version works much better at the pressures you get out of weaker pumps.

Print Settings

Fits standard printers with 20x20cm bed size.

Prints without supports and rafts. Tested with 0.15 line layer height, 10% infill with PLA.

Notes: 

Even though I haven't tested it, a smaller resolution can give a more smooth surface to prevent extra water turbulence, this might improve the performance of the pump.

I use PLA due to it being more food safe and since it won't leach any chemicals into the water.
PLA will however break down over time in water and I therefore suggest post-treating the PLA using something like a food-safe wax to waterproof it.

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation. Imported from Thingiverse.

License