{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp",
 "name": "Hydroponic tower, printable tri-clamp (4 in, gasketed, no supports)",
 "kind": "hardware",
 "category": "3D printing",
 "group": "Printable tri-clamp",
 "year": null,
 "question": "Is there a 3D-printable hydroponic tower that does not leak and prints without supports?",
 "tags": [
  "hydroponics",
  "hydroponic tower",
  "vertical garden",
  "tri-clamp",
  "printable",
  "3d printable",
  "supportless",
  "no supports"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "hydroponic tower stl",
  "3d printed hydroponic tower",
  "vertical hydroponic tower 3d print",
  "aeroponic tower printable",
  "tri clamp hydroponics",
  "5 gallon bucket hydroponic tower",
  "net pot tower 3d print"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": 209.6,
  "width": 190.3,
  "height": 441.4
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "not-scanned",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 1,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Xem Studio design: geometry computed in tools/gen_hydro.py; ISO 2852 faces with the 45° printable back cone; snap clamp per tools/gen_tc_snap.py",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": 209.6,
   "width": 190.3,
   "height": 441.4
  },
  "notes": [
   "A vertical hydroponic tower that stacks like sanitary pipe: 4 in printable tri-clamp faces, a silicone gasket and Xem's bolt-free snap clamp at every joint, so the column does not leak at its joints and comes apart for cleaning. Lighting is external (grow light or window).",
   "Planting level: three 2 in printable tri-clamp cuffs at 45° blended into the column (R4), 152 mm face to face (154 mm per level with the gasket). Each level's rain floor is printed flush with its bottom face: 243 Ø2.5 rain holes, 59 wall drains next to the bore, a 5 mm dam and a snap clip that centres the pump hose.",
   "Pots are 2 in tri-clamp ferrules themselves: a slotted body (Ø44 → Ø36, 80 mm, or 40 mm for seedlings) slides down the cuff and the pot's face clamps onto the cuff's face with a 2 in gasket and a 2 in snap clamp, so it seals and cannot be knocked out. An unused position takes a 2 in cap.",
   "2 in clamps on the 45° cuffs: cuff face 91.8 mm from the column axis; the closed clamp (Ø82) stays 4.5 mm off the column and 77.0 mm from the next cuff's clamp, and clears the 4 in clamps above and below.",
   "Quiet water path: the hose ends in a standpipe under the lid whose side windows spill into a stream-breaker ring (≤ 7.4 mm drop), out at floor level onto the rain floor; the water rains on the roots and runs down the wall; it returns through a funnel whose down-pipe ends under the water line.",
   "Two bases: a 5 gal bucket (threaded through-lid adapter with two 2 in port cuffs, spigot and return funnel) or a printed Ø246 × 250 mm countertop tank with a 4 in neck and two 2 in cuffs on the shoulder. A port takes the pump cord under the slotted 2 in cap (the cap still clips on), a probe, or a refill; the plain cap closes it.",
   "Every part fits a 256 mm cube and prints without supports in its file's orientation, checked layer by layer (each 0.2 mm layer on the one below grown 45°): the only flat ceilings are bridges ≤ 4.5 mm, and under each 45°-tilted 2 in cuff rim the clamp's 45° bearing cone turns horizontal at its lowest point (a crescent ledge ≤ 4.5 mm, printed with the fan on). Watertight STLs; assembled with gaskets and clamps without interference. A clamp key (lever) opens the snap clamps.",
   "Assembled with a bucket base and two levels: lid top 441.4 mm above the bucket lid.",
   "The STEP/STL pack (all parts, an assembled STEP, README with print settings, assembly order and what to buy) is $15 by card, or $12 for AI agents paying with x402 at /api/buy/hydroponic-tower-kit. The dimension sheet here is free.",
   "The download is the envelope at the published size: true size, no printing allowance. Buttons, ports, curves and surface detail are not modelled, so use it to hold space, cut a pocket or build around the object."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "part",
    "qty (2 levels)",
    "size mm",
    "g PETG",
    "print h",
    "what"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "planting-module-4in",
     2,
     "210 × 190 × 152",
     259,
     7.1,
     "Planting level: three 2 in tri-clamp pot cuffs at 45°, rain floor + hose clip printed on the bed face"
    ],
    [
     "top-module-4in-standpipe",
     1,
     "119 × 119 × 51",
     114,
     3.1,
     "Top: standpipe with the stream breaker on its rain floor"
    ],
    [
     "top-cap-4in",
     1,
     "119 × 119 × 13",
     155,
     4.2,
     "Low flat 4 in top cap (R7 edge), closes the top"
    ],
    [
     "snap-clamp-4in-half",
     8,
     "135 × 85 × 28",
     79,
     2.2,
     "4 in bolt-free snap clamp half (two per column joint)"
    ],
    [
     "net-pot-2in-flange",
     6,
     "64 × 64 × 109",
     31,
     0.9,
     "Net pot with a 2 in tri-clamp flange: clamps onto a cuff with a gasket"
    ],
    [
     "seedling-pot-2in-flange",
     "optional",
     "64 × 64 × 69",
     25,
     0.7,
     "Short flange pot for a Jiffy-7 pellet or 1 in rockwool cube"
    ],
    [
     "snap-clamp-2in-half",
     16,
     "81 × 51 × 23",
     34,
     0.9,
     "2 in bolt-free snap clamp half (two per pot, cap or port)"
    ],
    [
     "cap-2in",
     1,
     "64 × 64 × 6",
     24,
     0.6,
     "2 in flat cap: closes an unused pot cuff or base port"
    ],
    [
     "cap-2in-cord",
     1,
     "64 × 64 × 6",
     22,
     0.6,
     "2 in cap with a cord / probe hole and slot: the cable passes, the cap still clips on"
    ],
    [
     "clamp-key",
     1,
     "96 × 14 × 3",
     4,
     0.1,
     "Lever that opens the snap clamps (2 in and 4 in) from the V at an arm tip"
    ],
    [
     "hose-spider-4in",
     1,
     "95 × 83 × 8",
     5,
     0.1,
     "Centres the hose in the 4 in neck"
    ],
    [
     "bucket-lid-adapter-4in",
     1,
     "254 × 250 × 66",
     411,
     11.2,
     "Base A: sits on the 5 gal bucket lid, 4 in tower face, two 2 in port cuffs"
    ],
    [
     "bucket-lid-spigot",
     1,
     "150 × 150 × 20",
     87,
     2.4,
     "Base A: threads up through the lid into the adapter; funnel seat"
    ],
    [
     "bucket-return-funnel",
     1,
     "99 × 99 × 240",
     88,
     2.4,
     "Base A: quiet return, down-pipe below the water line"
    ],
    [
     "pump-hose-clip",
     1,
     "41 × 35 × 8",
     2,
     0.1,
     "Holds the pump hose in the middle of the funnel down-pipe"
    ],
    [
     "countertop-reservoir-4in",
     "optional",
     "251 × 246 × 250",
     913,
     25,
     "Base B: printed countertop tank, 4 in neck, two 2 in port cuffs (replaces the bucket parts)"
    ],
    [
     "countertop-return-funnel",
     "optional",
     "97 × 97 × 225",
     82,
     2.2,
     "Base B: quiet return for the tank"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Hydroponic tower, printable tri-clamp (4 in, gasketed, no supports) — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: Xem Studio design: geometry computed in tools/gen_hydro.py; ISO 2852 faces with the 45° printable back cone; snap clamp per tools/gen_tc_snap.py\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nOverall (mm): length 209.6, width 190.3, height 441.4\n- A vertical hydroponic tower that stacks like sanitary pipe: 4 in printable tri-clamp faces, a silicone gasket and Xem's bolt-free snap clamp at every joint, so the column does not leak at its joints and comes apart for cleaning. Lighting is external (grow light or window).\n- Planting level: three 2 in printable tri-clamp cuffs at 45° blended into the column (R4), 152 mm face to face (154 mm per level with the gasket). Each level's rain floor is printed flush with its bottom face: 243 Ø2.5 rain holes, 59 wall drains next to the bore, a 5 mm dam and a snap clip that centres the pump hose.\n- Pots are 2 in tri-clamp ferrules themselves: a slotted body (Ø44 → Ø36, 80 mm, or 40 mm for seedlings) slides down the cuff and the pot's face clamps onto the cuff's face with a 2 in gasket and a 2 in snap clamp, so it seals and cannot be knocked out. An unused position takes a 2 in cap.\n- 2 in clamps on the 45° cuffs: cuff face 91.8 mm from the column axis; the closed clamp (Ø82) stays 4.5 mm off the column and 77.0 mm from the next cuff's clamp, and clears the 4 in clamps above and below.\n- Quiet water path: the hose ends in a standpipe under the lid whose side windows spill into a stream-breaker ring (≤ 7.4 mm drop), out at floor level onto the rain floor; the water rains on the roots and runs down the wall; it returns through a funnel whose down-pipe ends under the water line.\n- Two bases: a 5 gal bucket (threaded through-lid adapter with two 2 in port cuffs, spigot and return funnel) or a printed Ø246 × 250 mm countertop tank with a 4 in neck and two 2 in cuffs on the shoulder. A port takes the pump cord under the slotted 2 in cap (the cap still clips on), a probe, or a refill; the plain cap closes it.\n- Every part fits a 256 mm cube and prints without supports in its file's orientation, checked layer by layer (each 0.2 mm layer on the one below grown 45°): the only flat ceilings are bridges ≤ 4.5 mm, and under each 45°-tilted 2 in cuff rim the clamp's 45° bearing cone turns horizontal at its lowest point (a crescent ledge ≤ 4.5 mm, printed with the fan on). Watertight STLs; assembled with gaskets and clamps without interference. A clamp key (lever) opens the snap clamps.\n- Assembled with a bucket base and two levels: lid top 441.4 mm above the bucket lid.\n- The STEP/STL pack (all parts, an assembled STEP, README with print settings, assembly order and what to buy) is $15 by card, or $12 for AI agents paying with x402 at /api/buy/hydroponic-tower-kit. The dimension sheet here is free.\n- The download is the envelope at the published size: true size, no printing allowance. Buttons, ports, curves and surface detail are not modelled, so use it to hold space, cut a pocket or build around the object.\n\npart  qty (2 levels)  size mm  g PETG  print h  what\nplanting-module-4in  2  210 × 190 × 152  259  7.1  Planting level: three 2 in tri-clamp pot cuffs at 45°, rain floor + hose clip printed on the bed face\ntop-module-4in-standpipe  1  119 × 119 × 51  114  3.1  Top: standpipe with the stream breaker on its rain floor\ntop-cap-4in  1  119 × 119 × 13  155  4.2  Low flat 4 in top cap (R7 edge), closes the top\nsnap-clamp-4in-half  8  135 × 85 × 28  79  2.2  4 in bolt-free snap clamp half (two per column joint)\nnet-pot-2in-flange  6  64 × 64 × 109  31  0.9  Net pot with a 2 in tri-clamp flange: clamps onto a cuff with a gasket\nseedling-pot-2in-flange  optional  64 × 64 × 69  25  0.7  Short flange pot for a Jiffy-7 pellet or 1 in rockwool cube\nsnap-clamp-2in-half  16  81 × 51 × 23  34  0.9  2 in bolt-free snap clamp half (two per pot, cap or port)\ncap-2in  1  64 × 64 × 6  24  0.6  2 in flat cap: closes an unused pot cuff or base port\ncap-2in-cord  1  64 × 64 × 6  22  0.6  2 in cap with a cord / probe hole and slot: the cable passes, the cap still clips on\nclamp-key  1  96 × 14 × 3  4  0.1  Lever that opens the snap clamps (2 in and 4 in) from the V at an arm tip\nhose-spider-4in  1  95 × 83 × 8  5  0.1  Centres the hose in the 4 in neck\nbucket-lid-adapter-4in  1  254 × 250 × 66  411  11.2  Base A: sits on the 5 gal bucket lid, 4 in tower face, two 2 in port cuffs\nbucket-lid-spigot  1  150 × 150 × 20  87  2.4  Base A: threads up through the lid into the adapter; funnel seat\nbucket-return-funnel  1  99 × 99 × 240  88  2.4  Base A: quiet return, down-pipe below the water line\npump-hose-clip  1  41 × 35 × 8  2  0.1  Holds the pump hose in the middle of the funnel down-pipe\ncountertop-reservoir-4in  optional  251 × 246 × 250  913  25.0  Base B: printed countertop tank, 4 in neck, two 2 in port cuffs (replaces the bucket parts)\ncountertop-return-funnel  optional  97 × 97 × 225  82  2.2  Base B: quiet return for the tank\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- Xem Studio: Hydroponic tower design (geometry computed in the generator) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://xemstudio.com/\n\nFree files (CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "Xem Studio",
   "title": "Hydroponic tower design (geometry computed in the generator)",
   "url": "https://xemstudio.com/",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "not-scanned",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "snap-tri-clamp-bolt-free",
  "tri-clamp-45-degree-printable",
  "printable-tri-clamp-lids-caps",
  "tri-clamp-gasket",
  "paint-cans-and-buckets"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Does it leak?",
   "a": "Not at the joints: every joint is a tri-clamp face pair on a silicone gasket, closed by the snap clamp on a 2.0 mm stack; the rain floors are printed into each level, so there are no slip fits for water to wick out of."
  },
  {
   "q": "Why is it quiet?",
   "a": "The pump water never free-falls: it spills sideways out of the standpipe into a breaker ring a few mm away, runs out at floor level, and the return funnel's down-pipe ends under the water line."
  },
  {
   "q": "Does it need supports?",
   "a": "No. Downward faces are 45° or steeper and flat ceilings are bridges under 5 mm; the one exception is a small crescent ledge (≤ 4.5 mm) under each 45°-tilted 2 in cuff rim, which prints with the part-cooling fan on."
  },
  {
   "q": "Do bought net pots fit?",
   "a": "No: the pot cuffs are 2 in tri-clamp (47.5 mm bore), so the pots are printed 2 in flange pots that clamp on with a gasket. A 3 in cuff would not fit a 256 mm bed at 45°."
  },
  {
   "q": "What lights does it use?",
   "a": "Your own: there is no light frame, so any grow light or a bright window works."
  },
  {
   "q": "What do I need to buy?",
   "a": "4 in silicone tri-clamp gaskets (one per column joint), 2 in gaskets (one per pot, cap or port), a small submersible fountain pump (300–800 L/h), 3/8 × 1/2 in vinyl tubing, and a 5 gal bucket with lid if you use the bucket base."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "hydroponic-tower-kit",
   "format": "zip: STEP + STL per part, assembled STEP, README",
   "status": "available",
   "price_usd": 15,
   "url": "https://xemstudio.com/api/buy/hydroponic-tower-kit",
   "files": [
    "planting-module-4in",
    "top-module-4in-standpipe",
    "top-cap-4in",
    "snap-clamp-4in-half",
    "net-pot-2in-flange",
    "seedling-pot-2in-flange",
    "snap-clamp-2in-half",
    "cap-2in",
    "cap-2in-cord",
    "clamp-key",
    "hose-spider-4in",
    "bucket-lid-adapter-4in",
    "bucket-lid-spigot",
    "bucket-return-funnel",
    "pump-hose-clip",
    "countertop-reservoir-4in",
    "countertop-return-funnel"
   ],
   "payment": "x402 (USDC); returns 402 with PAYMENT-REQUIRED, retry with PAYMENT-SIGNATURE"
  },
  {
   "file": "hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp-envelope",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp-envelope.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp-envelope.stl",
   "note": "209.6 × 190.3 × 441.4 mm envelope"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/hydroponic-tower-tri-clamp/index.md"
}