Jet-lift air collar for Matten filter uplift tubes

This jet-lift air collar implements well-established air-lift / jet-lift principles commonly used in Matten and sponge filtration systems, adapted specifically for 3D printing and home use.

The design consists of two interlocking parts, allowing controlled air injection into the uplift tube to improve lift efficiency compared with simple open air stones or drilled pipe methods.

A length of pvc pipe and a 90 degree PVC swept bend are needed to complete the item.

Key advantage: serviceable design

Unlike many one-piece or permanently bonded jet-lifts, this collar comes apart for cleaning.

In long-term aquarium use, uplift injectors inevitably accumulate:

• biofilm

• fine debris

• bacterial slime

With fixed or glued designs this buildup is difficult to remove and gradually degrades performance.
This design can be fully disassembled, rinsed, and reassembled in seconds, restoring performance without tools or solvents.

Included sizes

• Metric: 20 mm, 25 mm PVC

• Imperial (US): ½″, ¾″, 1″ Schedule 40 PVC

Imperial models are based on actual pipe outside diameters, not nominal inch sizes.

Fit and tolerances

• Designed with 0.2 mm diameter clearance for a firm push-fit

• Best used on clean, deburred pipe ends

• If the fit is tight, lightly chamfer the pipe or scale the model to 100.5–101%

Printing

• No supports required

• Print orientation as supplied

• PLA, PETG, or ABS

• 0.2 mm layer height works well

Parametric model

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e9419f48ca0021a7934133ca/w/b7d26648933bbc1cc856192d/e/163ccc4c5bab467a50130a6e?renderMode=0&uiState=696ca83bc77ec749fac154cc

A fully parametric Onshape model is linked for users who want to:

• adjust pipe sizes

• change tolerances

• modify the geometry