Nature Sphere

This nature sphere is meant to function as a decoration to liven a living space. It features artificial moss, rocks, and a working waterfall to simulate a miniature environment for nature. It also comes with a storage tank, which holds all of the water for the waterfall feature. The effect works by pumping water up and letting gravity pull it back down. Then, the cycle continues.

1. 8 in clear acrylic sphere
2. Water pump
3. Fake moss (I used this one)
4. Generic PLA filament
5. Acrylic paint: blacks, browns, grays,
6. Black decorative rocks
7. Water sealant
8. 3D printer, one with at least 6" length, 6" width, and 8" height
9. CAD software (I used Fusion 360, but any should work)
10. Hot glue gun
11. Duct Tape
12. Bowl (Use your own or 3D print the attached file)

Optional

1. Air-dry clay (I recommend DAS)

Download the STL files, upload it into a CAD software and divide the different components up into separate projects. This is so that you can download and upload individual components easier into the printing software, since you are more than likely going to have multiple print batches.

Print them in any order you want and use supports if needed.

Note for the Storage System: Feel free to get rid of the locking mechanism and slice it up into multiple prints and glue later if you want to save on print time

1. Once the water pump has arrived, attach the the tube to the 5/16" nozzle, making sure it is watertight.
2. Next, insert it into the pump and click it in place. Then, place the entire contraption into a body of water.
3. Plug the pump in a nearby outlet and lift the tube up above the surface but not to its full extent. Water should be flowing out of it now.
4. Play around with the different strengths to get familiar with using the pump.
5. Make sure to clean up any messes before moving onto the next step.

If you want to use clay to get a rock-like texture, this is the step to do it. Don't make it directly on the decor bodies as it won't stick. Simply use it as a guide.

Set the sculpted pieces aside to dry for 1-2 days.

Now it is time to put it all together.

1. Stick the water pump inside the bowl. If it doesn't stay, use duct tape to suction it on.
2. Take the cord and put it through the largest slot of the storage system at the top.
3. Push the clear tube through the circular hole. Then, push it through the funnel and centerpiece, leaving a little bit of room at the top. Make sure the centerpiece sides into its slots on the funnel.
4. Take the diverter to cap it off, pushing it into the circular slot at the top as much as possible.
5. Fill the bowl halfway with water.
6. Take the other side of the storage system and push it in, making sure the funnel goes into it as well.
7. Put the sphere onto the funnel piece and test the waterfall.
8. Put the back decorative pieces and the front decorative piece in the sphere.
9. Decorate the sphere with the fake moss, making sure it does not block the opening.
10. When you are satisfied with the look, insert it on top of the centerpiece.
11. Plug the water pump into a nearby outlet.

If everything works properly, congrats! You now have your very own Nature Sphere!