Tabletop Aquaponics System

cults3d

This is a project in progress. Read more here: http://www.progressth.org/p/grow-box.html The 3D printed parts included here are to mount a planter above a 350mm tall, 220mm diameter glass container. A small water pump circulates water from the container below, to a perlite filled, inverted 6 liter water bottle above. Holes have been drilled into the water bottle's cap for drainage back into the glass container. The bottom section of the bottle has been cut off and the remaining cross section is used as a mount for the inverted bottle top. There is a rectangular hole in the top cover that will be used for ports or as an electronics bay for automation. The SketchUp files has been included so that users can adjust the design to suit glass containers and pot sizes they have on hand. The pieces are printed in halves and friction welded together. The casing is particularly tall and warping required a piece of filament to be placed in the gap to bridge it when welding. For an overview of friction welding see here: http://hackaday.com/2014/12/30/3d-printing-technique-friction-welding/ (NOTE: if the water bottle is not inverted, and holes drilled into the bottom of the bottle instead, water tends to cling to the surface and travel toward the edges and onto the 3D printed platform. While the design of this system reduces spill hazards, because of questions regarding the food-safety qualities of 3D printed plastic, it is designed so no water ever comes in contact with any 3D printed parts.)