Reef Rocket Reactor
Free* 3D printable download
©2025 by Chipp Walters
A compact, printable media reactor for saltwater sumps.
Download the free 3MF file, print it in PETG on your Bambu printer, add a small pump, and drop it into your sump for simple, targeted media filtration.
Download Free on MakerWorld
Designed for reef keepers who want a smaller, simpler way to run Chemipure Elite, Purigen, carbon, GFO, phosphate media, or other bagged filter media without setting up a full-size reactor.
Drop it in. Run the media. Solve the problem.
The Reef Rocket Reactor is a small, fully submersible sump reactor designed for practical reefkeeping. It is compact enough to fit in most sumps, easy to clean, and simple to reload when you want to swap media.
Use it as a permanent media reactor, or keep one ready as a temporary problem-solving reactor when a tank needs targeted filtration.
Professional reef maintenance users are already using this kind of setup to evaluate a customer’s tank, choose the right media, and drop in a compact reactor to help address a specific water-quality issue.
Why It’s Useful
Smaller than a traditional reactor
Most media reactors are larger, more expensive, and require more setup than many reef keepers need. Reef Rocket Reactor fits entirely inside the sump and is designed to be simple, compact, and easy to remove.
Great for temporary filtration
Need to run carbon after a tank issue? Want to try GFO or phosphate media for a specific problem? Just load the media bag, connect the pump, and submerge the reactor.
Easy to clean and reload
The threaded screw-top lid makes it easy to open, rinse, reload, and put back into service.
No metal hardware required
The 3MF includes printed bolts and printed washers, designed to assemble the reactor without metal screws or corrosion-prone fasteners.
How It Works
Water is pushed from a small submersible pump into the bottom of the reactor. An internal diffuser panel spreads the flow upward through the bagged media, and the water exits through the top vents.
This gives your media active water flow instead of simply leaving a bag sitting passively in the sump.
Media Compatibility
The Reef Rocket Reactor is sized for up to an 11 oz Chemipure Elite media bag.
It can also be used with:
- Chemipure Elite
- Purigen
- activated carbon
- GFO
- phosphate remover
- other bagged or contained filter media
Loose media should always be placed in a suitable media bag before use.
It may also be used as a very small bioreactor with the right contained biological media, especially for very small systems.
What You Need
To use the Reef Rocket Reactor, you’ll need:
- the free 3MF file from MakerWorld
- PETG filament, recommended
- a Bambu printer or other compatible 3D printer
- a small submersible pump
- a short piece of silicone tubing
- bagged filter media
Recommended pump:
https://a.co/d/0jcbvXeA
Optional suction cup mount:
https://a.co/d/0jlUTQie
The pump, silicone tubing, suction cup, and filter media are not included.
Dimensions
Approximate outside cylinder size:
3.5 in diameter × 5 in tall
89 mm diameter × 127 mm tall
Pump inlet opening:
16.3 mm
approximately 0.64 in
Print Material
PETG is recommended for long-term use in a saltwater sump.
ASA and ABS may also be suitable for experienced printers. PLA is not recommended for submerged saltwater use.
Simple Assembly
- Print the parts.
- Assemble the reactor with the printed bolts and washers.
- Add bagged filter media.
- Connect a small pump using silicone tubing.
- Fully submerge the reactor in your sump.
The entire reactor must be submerged for proper operation.
Creator Note
I designed the Reef Rocket Reactor as a small, practical sump reactor that reef keepers could print themselves, drop into a sump, and use whenever they need targeted media filtration.
* It is free for personal reef hobbyist use. For commercial printing, resale, or production use, please contact Chipp Walters / Altuit first.
You can get it at: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2843995-reef-rocket-reactor-saltwater-sump-media-reactor?from=search#profileId-3170938
Disclaimer
Use at your own risk. Monitor your tank after adding any new filtration device or media. Make sure the reactor remains fully submerged and that all loose media is secured in a suitable media bag before use.