Make Your Own 3D Printed Fry Tray / Breeding Box

[@esrcornwell]

Your wit, creativity, problem solving, and excellent video format. Are an excellent addition to the aquarium community! Thanks for all you do!

[@lruddy8820]

you should sell these for people who dont have access to 3d printers

[@robertreed453]

I like that idea.

[@skythetimelord]

Yes please

[@YTfrosty_bionic]

Yeah I have a friend with a printer but I’d feel bad asking him to make all this and do the research for me for his machine 😂

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

He does, they’re on his Etsy page, MakeMoreFish

[@kathyposey7578]

He sells them from Etsy. I just received 2 in the mail.

[@wilhelmdekock2637]

This is epic.

[@Everyasian]

“…that science and a mild personality order can create.” This is comedic gold and deserves an Oscar. I’m so happy I stumbled across your videos. There’s something so hypnotically calming about it that it soothes my mood disorder. Keep it up!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Thanks! Always happy to life a mood here and there.

[@sunlounger29]

I like your mild personality disorder! You’ve created something helpful for the hobby in the most perfect way possible and you give it away for free… thanks!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Not free this time, but inexpensive. I hope it does become something very useful for the community.

[@Trashalchemy]

3d printing, Fish, and Dean? Sign me up!

[@MrKendavies]

Wish I could buy this somewhere. It’s bloody amazing

[@WichitaFallFishKeeper]

Wow. I'm super impressed! I'm so glad I have a buddy with several 3D printers. Thanks for doing the hard work and documenting your progress!!

[@Helveteshit]

Now, an idea since you enjoy designing. Keep the upflow, keep the hinges. Make it deeper and less wide. Opposite corner should have its own 'pipe' that have an inlet few inches above the bottom. This will be an overflow, always. The other two corners should be designed for a transparent PVC or acrylic pipe that keeps it fairly water tight. Then push down purple LED into these pipes. Create a 'refugium' that is always producing light. Duckweed at the surface to keep light from spreading and filtering the water nutrients. Raise Daphnia inside the box. The daphnia that get too close to the inlet, gets swept into the tank. Cyclops and Daphnia, raised inside the tank. All four sides will have a 'rougher' surface to attach Java Moss and allow Algae growth. Essentially, a tank to grow a live feed without fish or otherwise, destroying the reproducing ground. While allowing mulm to collect at the bottom of the tray to a degree. While Duckweed block lights and the unsightly aspects of mulm. The of course, algae booming. Creating a natural filter.

[@blake_fishing]

Where was this back when I was breeding plecos and Cory's 😅 this is a game changer

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

Ordered my first one today! This is going to improve the survival rate of my Blue Ram fry drastically! Can’t wait to get it all set up.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I look forward to hearing how it works for you!

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

@@MakeMoreFish I already know it’s going to be great :) I’m going from a 2.5 gallon to a 20 gallon water volume for thanks to this. I’m super excited for my next batch of fry.

[@kazBrown4350]

Where did you buy please?

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

@@kazBrown4350 Etsy.

[@tigercow]

My go-to fish breeding channel never fails to amaze me

[@j0j0kay]

This project is what finally got me to order a printer. Thank you so much for all of your help on Patreon. I love your videos!!!

[@DL_Kwekerij]

Was it easy for printing the first time ?

[@Blakrex]

I also bought a printer for this exact job. I went a little excessive and got an ender 5 plus but after doing all of the setup procedures I got a great first print for the tray. The airflow tube took me 2 prints though, turns out I needed to click the option "adhesion" in Cura so that it would create a brim to help hold the tall piece in place.@@DL_Kwekerij

[@Tivon1995]

What printer did you get?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Really stellar work here. I'm going to need to get a 3D printer buddy to get some of these made for myself in the future!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Thanks! I think there are at least two in the GSAS that might be able to help with that.

[@fishrfriends]

Yes I am getting my local fish store with 3D printer to get this done for me! I'm ready! Thank you 😊

[@BMTH2296]

Dude you’re crazy smart. 😂 hope this channel blows up soon, props on the awesome work

[@AWildGrickit]

I'm so glad you finally feel ready to release this!

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

These are amazing. One day I’ll get a few of them for my fry station. I just started raising Blue Rams and something like this would be perfect and help me document their growth so much easier

[@mdl_reviews3607]

Have you considered making a hang-on-the-side variant of this? This is super useful if only for the intake being so smooth and gentle. All of my hang on breeders send water in way too turbulent and throw everything around. Even when I tried using a sponge to soften the flow it still would throw everything around and make it hard for the fry to swim around. This is an amazing design but it does make it difficult to add to tanks that already have too much going on, that’s why I prefer the hang on ones, mostly because I just don’t have space for a seperate tank

[@JessicaLiu-e9v]

this is way too cool❤

[@Delehmes]

Congratulations. You thought carefully and simplified the design. Thanks for sharing. In the future, I look forward to seeing a version that can be hung on the side so that it does not interfere with the lighting.

[@A.C.Aquariumfish]

Great video! I may consider this system if I decide to grow beyond my small fish room. Thanks.

[@NYGOLD]

This is next level right here!!! Great job!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Your whiteboard drawings of angelfish are next level.

[@NYGOLD]

@@MakeMoreFish LOL😆

[@jlathem56]

This is AWESOME! I have been working through all the issues I have had with other systems but over the past couple years and personal life changes, not to mention major moves around this country, I haven't had the resources to devote to this. I so much appreciate your efforts, skills, and sharing of knowledge and files. You my friend, are one of many reasons I love this hobby. It's a great hobby with great people in it. Now I just have to either find a 3d printing service or buy and learn that skill too. Been looking for a great reason to justify the purchase. I think I found it. Thanks again!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Do it! 3D printing is wonderful. Especially if you learn to design your own parts

[@jlathem56]

​@@MakeMoreFishI have a makersspace near me and will probably take advantage of their services at least for a few months to get a feel for it. How much filament should I expect to budget for this project? Not including trial and errors and learning... just want a feel about what to expect with an "Average" printer. And I realize there are probably several variables to consider but just need to get an idea if I need 1 roll of filament or 5 to print one. Thanks for any advice you can offer here.

[@foxfair]

I just printed one and started using it today, so far so good. I like the whole setup and will print another one for spare.

[@footagemissing]

I just bought one of these from Eliza here in Brisbane Australia, very excited to start using it. We were talking about the idea of rigging it up to an air lift egg collecting device, much like the diy one that Sydney's angels has shown on his channel, or like the one Blake's aquatics makes. The idea being to airlift the eggs directly into the try, will see how I go! Thanks for creating such a great product.

[@MakeMoreFish]

Very cool, let me know how that goes. I'm testing a couple of designs right now that would directly interface with the fry trays. Lots of requests for egg collectors

[@davidcampbell4050]

Love it I am going to print one ASAP!!!

[@Firebird894]

I just got one to raise angels i used to DIY plastic trays with varying results. This looks like it will work better. Thankyou!!!

[@amitagashe3045]

Sir you really have creative mind. This is too good.

[@TerraMagnus]

I saw your Gardneri video and immediately wanted to know where you got the tray. Thanks for sharing this!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Some amount of full fry tray kits will be available (currently US only) for sale here: www.etsy.com/shop/makemorefish 5/22/23 Added to alternative core components: Main Body variants with total lengths between 7 and 11 inches 5/27/23 Added to alternative core components: Uplift Tube variant that connects to airline tubing without an elbow or other connector 6/8/23 Added two additional rigid tube mounts with a slightly wider opening to accommodate variations in the outside diameter of 3/16 rigid tubes. 0.205 is the diameter shown in the support video. 7/2/23 Adjusted the main body female threads to print more smoothly. Uplift tube threads rotated -50 degrees to match Lowered the position of uplift perforations to expose some inner channels that could potentially clog after extended use Increased the downward slope radius of the two channels where water leaves the air uplift Lowered the bottom of the outflow ports by 0.05" to expose more foam and further reduce flow concentration Extended or otherwise reinforced the rail clip prongs of the rigid tube mounts Added a main body variant (standard length) with no air uplift system, for those with separate water supplies Exported STL files with a higher level of refinement to reduce tessellation of the larger radii. Should also improve thread quality Moved the airline only uplift to the core components file. Tubes meant to attach airline fittings are now in the alternative core components file.

[@edcctf]

This is pure genius.

[@nabokovfan87]

Make sure you patent this! Would love to see it made out of plastic like lexan or something.

[@mohamadnizarkezzo1974]

Amazing work!

[@lmathews61]

Super impressive…THANK YOU‼️

[@WichitaFallFishKeeper]

My friend printed one for me. I just got it. Very impressed! Thank you

[@MakeMoreFish]

That's great to hear! Once you have it set up I would love to see pictures if you're up to it.

[@shackleDev]

For anyone who wants to see the 2 printer requirements in 1 place: - being able to print with pla, petg or any other solid aquarium safe fillament - Maximum printing size of at least ~8.5" * ~7" * ~3.6"

[@aaronellingson5923]

I specifically came back to this video for the printer suggestion, and the link is dead. I wanted to know the bed size, and you answered that! Thank you!

[@EthanFoster-zq7fo]

Been waiting for thus. Love it. More then my breeding rings

[@victorcastaneda248]

Thanks Lowell, I can’t wait to start printing it and to test it out.

[@MakeMoreFish]

Did the rotation work?

[@victorcastaneda248]

@@MakeMoreFish Hey, sorry I didn’t se pe the comment. It sure did. I have 2 printed and I’ll send you pics and a short video once I set them up in the next day or 2. Thank you so much for your generosity and advise. Love your work!

[@MakeMoreFish]

@@victorcastaneda248 Wonderful. I would love to see it.

[@CrzyDogmom]

Such a smart design

[@cameronstoneadams1183]

just saw the Sacramento aquatic society talk. Thanks a lot

[@julienbaldy854]

this is very tricky, thanks from france

[@Estipi18]

Okay, sold ! New subscription ✅

[@gregjonesonline]

Love it, printing one now!

[@NguyenQuang08]

TY so much for this awesome built.

[@steve-adams]

This is really, really nice work. Thank you!

[@hedrickshomegrownaquatics1358]

U just got my 5 bucks appreciate the hard work

[@matthewmerz2638]

Printing now! I just wish it would be done sooner. 😎

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

Very impressive - I'm so glad to be a sub!

[@ESF19791111]

GREAT EXPLANATION VIDEO :) THANK YOU FOR SHARING :) THANK YOU FORM ISRAEL :)

[@ediwatdahek]

can't wait to try it, thanks for the great documentation!

[@petergill8553]

Excellent product! Well done.

[@eragonmagic1]

Sell this to a major brand for 7% lifetime sale of the product and put your name as the name of the product. This is really well made and you deserve the recognition.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I like that deal

[@MiltonDelaney]

Impressive video!!

[@lucas27461]

spectacular project. thank you ps: waiting for the A. elizabethae video! really eager to see your experience with these

[@chrishowell4775]

Very nice thanks for sharing

[@AL_EVOz]

This is awesome! Thanks again man!

[@drugmonkeyrx7965]

great work!

[@Richardmunoz86]

Just my 2 cents. What about a Handel on top. To help grab on to the trays when moving them around?

[@dennisbinkhorst2039]

Wow, this really is a fantastic fry box! I wouldn't be surprised if there's a manufacturer out there that might want to bring this to market. Nice work!

[@MakeMoreFish]

That would be nice. More people could buy them than print them.

[@dennisbinkhorst2039]

@@MakeMoreFish Maybe Cory from Aquarium Co-Op is interested? I'd be surprised if he doesn't already know about it already thru Dean.

[@FishySnacksAZ]

Genius 😮

[@DuxDad1]

Thought of licensing this to Aquarium Coop who could have them made and you could get a royalty per unit. More people would have access and you'll make some $$

[@MakeMoreFish]

I have a loose plan for how to rework the design for injection molding if a manufacturer does express interest in mass producing them. That would be a fun project. Much of the work involved for me was making the parts printable. While injection molding has its own limitations, it would be simpler overall.

[@SchuylerS]

That's starting to look pretty professional! I really like the new output, looks like it would drain faster. That's cool that you got to work with Dean. I agree with what others have said. This looks basically ready to produce commercially. Great job!

[@KaiMcneil-w5h]

This looks amazing!Is it right that it’s a monthly fee to get the files? Or just one upfront cost?

[@MakeMoreFish]

The download link is tied to membership but the files are not. So in effect it is a one time payment

[@kathyposey7578]

I just ordered 2 from Etsy 😊

[@MakeMoreFish]

On the way! I hope they work well for you.

[@kathyposey7578]

@@MakeMoreFish thank you! I'm excited. I have around 200 Black Ram Fry in a bowl and air stone.

[@kazBrown4350]

Where can I buy I'm from the UK

[@firsttimereefertv1588]

This is so good and exactly what ive needed! Can I ask where I download the file from to try and print this?

[@MakeMoreFish]

There's a link in the video description. Currently patreon

[@Schalkx98]

Ive been using this to raise German Blue Ram fry recently. I must say I really enjoy the design, though ive had a problem with fry escaping through my sponge I think. Is there a sponge you would recommend that works best in your experience for the outflow portion? I think mine is not fine enough. I do have filter floss I could potentially try.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I think the ones I use are 40PPI or higher. I switch to coarser foam once the fry grow larger. There are many sheets and pads available on Amazon that you can cut to fit

[@zedestatebc4437]

I would like to buy one 😮

[@robertreed453]

Sign me up. I want them.

[@aarhud]

Did you make suggestions on material? I don’t know anybody that 3D prints, but I see people online that offer it as a service. These look great.

[@MakeMoreFish]

If you have a service do it for you I would ask for PETG. Be wary of cost. I've gotten quotes from commercial printing services and found them to be ridiculously expensive. Local folks might do it for you cheaper.

[@neemiaschaves805]

I have a random question... do you actually live in Lowell - MA ?

[@MakeMoreFish]

I do not. I make it a rule not to live in states I can't spell.

[@mogdekmos2443]

Hi, very interesting. What kind of material do you use/recommand? I have printed some mossgrids with a suctioncup but they got so brittel that the fell apart, that was my experience with PLA. I would recommand avoiding round holes in the uplift tube, think more in the shapes of an rhombus or an honeycomb, so you can better controll the overhang in the printing process and get better results.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I've had good luck with PETG and PLA+/Pro. The circular openings print fine.

[@reelthing4u]

ok this looks awesome .i have never done any 3d printing .if i bought the printer and the parts above is there a chance i could print this?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Ya, I want to say any modern printer with a heated bed large enough for the parts should be fine. There's a bit of a learning curve to 3D printing but there are many online resources to help a person get started. If you focus on bed leveling and a proper z-axis offset from the start, there's a good chance your very first prints will turn out great.

[@tinynina76]

Genius.🤓

[@FinnRenard]

What material is recommended? Pretty sure PLA doesn't like water. What materials are safe for the fish ie releasing toxic matter?

[@MakeMoreFish]

PETG is probably the best, but I've had no issues with PLA+

[@chrisvan667]

Hi, quick question. I signed up for the membership and printed two units. They came out great. I used an Ender 3 with PLA and the default Cura settings for the printer. Both are in use, but I just pulled out the first one and I notice the air uplift chamber that is part of the main body, filled with water. I cannot see any hole that would allow water in. I assume there has to be otherwise I don't see any way that water could enter. Do you have any suggestions? I'll check the second unit when I pull it out as well.

[@MakeMoreFish]

There could be very small holes letting water in. It's very difficult to 3D print an object that is 100% watertight. PLA is also hygroscopic so it will absorb water and exchange humidity into the hollow interior chambers which could later condense back into liquid water. One way or another, the parts are slightly and slowly permeable. You can try ABS or PETG, those I don't think are as absorbent but still would be tough to make 100% watertight. This has happened to me many times and I can't say there has been any negative impact as a result.

[@chrisvan667]

@@MakeMoreFish thanks for the input! I'm thinking that if there's no negative effects, no reason to print another one with PETG. I suppose my only remaining concern would be if, overtime, water inside the chambers gets stagnant and leaks out. Seems unlikely though.

[@jonathanbp1]

Just wondering if I can have a chat with you regarding this item, do you sell the item yourself as I would be interested and if so I may know a mass amount of people who may be interested, I'm part of a fish aquarist district and i help run it, plenty of breeders in the group that I think this would benefit, unfortunately I don't know anyone who has a 3d printer. Thankyou

[@martinlubbe5246]

Could I ask what the recommended fill and settings are when printing them I've been using 100% fill!

[@MakeMoreFish]

I print the main bodies at 25% infill and 1-1.2mm she'll thickness. Other parts at 30%

[@martinlubbe5246]

@@MakeMoreFish thank you for the feed back, helps a lot

[@corydoraszoneaquatics]

Hmmmm, now I need to buy a 3D printer!!! What is the smallest size "table" I need for your projects?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Somewhere between 180-220mm square. I made trays of different sizes, the smallest being about 180mm.

[@corydoraszoneaquatics]

@@MakeMoreFish Turns out a friend has a 3D printer large enough, will buy your files. Thanks.

[@Lilebike]

Can I make some adjustments to it? Or modifications because this is for me I am not selling it

[@firstclassfish01]

Will a Bambu Lab A1 Mini work as a printer for this? It has a 179mm volume in all directions from what I gather. Thanks

[@MakeMoreFish]

I am really not sure about that. The smallest size I have is 7" square and 179mm is 7.047 inches. The way the slicer adds in exclusion zones, I would not be surprised if it's a no. It wouldn't be possible to use a brim either and that would be a big hit to maintaining first layer adhesion during the print.

[@firstclassfish01]

@@MakeMoreFish thanks much for your thoughts! I’m new to it, don’t even have a printer yet, and from what I could gather it was gonna be real close. Thanks again

[@FrankPes]

That looks great! Any estimate on the amount of filament (meter) needed?

[@MakeMoreFish]

I don't recall the length used but usually I track it by weight. Depending on print settings I can usually make two full units out of a 1kg roll of filament.

[@Snoochie-Booch]

Badass

[@FishySnacksAZ]

Have you thought of a lid for jumpers.

[@MakeMoreFish]

Occasionally I do think about making a lid. More for shielding certain eggs from light but it would help with jumpers too. I might do that.

[@WiiHunt95]

Can you design some for larger aquariums

[@Serega_78]

Hello, what was the performance of the airlift? I got about 5 l/h, is that enough, what do you think?

[@MakeMoreFish]

It's been a while since I measured but 5-6 l/h sounds about right with a moderate air pressure. In my opinion that's plenty of circulation.

[@Angeleanya]

Would you please release a mirrored version ? I have printed two and placed on each some of the tank. But I would like to have one with the water intake from the left side . So it won’t stick out in the middle of the tank . Please

[@Angeleanya]

Nevermind now. I find Cura can do it very easily. :)

[@zodiak2461]

do you use tree support for the overhang where the outflow is? I also have an ender 3 v2 and unfortunately the main body is a little too big so I would have to split it in half, which I dont mind.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I don't use supports. The main body should be printable on an ender but you might have to rotate it so the length runs along the X axis. Maybe adjust the margins too. Some slicers tend to trim some print area off unnecessarily. If all else fails, use one of the shorter main body variants available in the print files

[@zodiak2461]

@@MakeMoreFish just updated my cura from 5.1 to 5.4 and it fixed the issue. 5.1 had some restricting lines that didnt allow the file to fit.

[@lopontej]

I would like to outsource the manufacture to someone who has access to a Creality Ender 3 Neo Max 3d. Can you offer advice regarding printing time and material requirements? Thx!

[@MakeMoreFish]

For print time, if you're thinking of print settings, I always recommend printing at a relatively slow speed. Modern printers are capable of printing at high speeds but the limiting factor in print speed, as I understand it, has always been properties of the materials rather than the machines doing the printing. Those materials haven't changed so I stick with old wisdom. I print between 20-30mm/s and only go higher for travel and infill. That ends up taking several days to print all the parts. For material I would say that depends on your access to a printer. If you have consistent access, I would use a PLA + / PLA pro. It is a very easy material to work with but (may) degrade in water over long periods. More on the order of years than months, but it's still something you should be aware of. If you want to make something longer lasting, I would go with PETG. It's a pain to print but totally possible on Creality printers.

[@Fishkeeper-p9d]

I like it how can I get the final design to print in my country

[@MakeMoreFish]

There should be a link in the video description. Print files are currently available through a patreon.

[@kazBrown4350]

Why can we not buy this! You should patent this my god you seriously need to make these in the uk we have a serious lack of good breeder boxes/ Incubators!

[@MakeMoreFish]

I don't have anyone making them in the UK right now but if you have access to a 3D printer, that's always an option.

[@kazBrown4350]

@@MakeMoreFish thanks for reply, unfortunately no I don't.

[@rubeno7513]

Does anyone sell the completed product ?

[@xces81]

What 3d printer would you advise, which material and what is the print bed size needed?

[@MakeMoreFish]

I've done all of my printing on an ender 3 pro. The print bed is I think 220x220 mm

[@miguelcruz7673]

What kind of filament do you recommend for this?

[@MakeMoreFish]

I put a couple of options in the video description. They both have pros and cons so I'm hesitant to make a recommendation. The one you saw in this video was printed with PLA+

[@King_DarkSide]

What would someone coat this print in before using it in an aquarium environment?

[@MakeMoreFish]

You could do an aquarium safe clear coat to help keep it clean but otherwise I'm not aware of a reason to coat them. I don't.

[@barrygaskell277]

where do I get the stl or other files for to print this

[@eros5556]

Pro tip: most public libraries have 3d printers you can use

[@firstclassfish01]

How may I contact you? I didn’t see a way on the Patreon. Thanks much.

[@MakeMoreFish]

[e-mail]

[@alissapeay503]

How many full trays (all small pets included) can you print with 1kg spool?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Two with 100-150 grams left over but that's just me. It would depend on your print settings.

[@alissapeay503]

@@MakeMoreFish ty! Bought a 3d printer just to print these lol and of course other stuff later but mainly this

[@tookmyhandle2]

Why are you not selling these?

[@andreasgeber8423]

Dear Lovell can u send me the 3D file to print Our breeding Box? Thanks regards from Germany