Jebao SLW-5 Fish and Anemone Guard: Design, Creation, and 3D Printing Journey

Protecting Your Reef Without Sacrificing Flow

Few things are more frustrating in reef keeping than waking up to discover a fish, anemone, or other tank inhabitant has found its way into a wave pump.

High-flow pumps are essential for a healthy reef aquarium, but they can also become a hazard for curious fish, wandering anemones, and other delicate livestock.

That challenge led to the creation of the SLW-5 Fish and Anemone Guard—a custom-designed protective cage built specifically for the popular Jebao SLW-5 Wave Pump.

In this iSeaLive project, I walk through the entire design and creation process, from identifying the problem to designing, prototyping, and finally 3D printing a solution that protects reef inhabitants while maintaining strong water flow.

Why the Jebao SLW-5 Is So Popular

The Jebao SLW-5 has become one of the most popular nano reef wave pumps on the market.

Reef keepers love it because it offers:

• Compact profile
• Wide flow pattern
• Quiet operation
• Affordable pricing
• Excellent performance for nano reef tanks

Whether you're running a Fluval Evo 13.5, Innovative Marine, Waterbox, Red Sea Nano, or another compact reef system, the SLW-5 provides impressive circulation in a small package.

Unfortunately, that strong flow can sometimes create risks for tank inhabitants.

The Problem: Fish and Anemones vs. Wave Pumps

Many reef keepers eventually experience one of these situations:

• A wandering anemone gets pulled into a pump.
• A small fish explores too close to the intake.
• A juvenile fish becomes trapped.
• Coral tissue gets damaged by exposed pump openings.
• Snails or invertebrates interfere with pump operation.

While manufacturers provide some protection, many hobbyists want additional safeguards without significantly reducing water movement.

The challenge is finding the right balance between safety and performance.

Designing the SLW-5 Fish Guard

The goal was simple:

Create a guard that protects livestock while preserving as much flow as possible.

That sounds easy, but it creates several design challenges:

Maximum Water Flow

Every opening in the guard must allow enough water to pass through without placing excessive strain on the pump.

Livestock Protection

The spacing must be small enough to prevent fish, anemones, and other animals from entering dangerous areas.

Easy Installation

No hobbyist wants a complicated accessory that requires modifying expensive equipment.

The guard needed to install quickly while remaining secure.

Clean Appearance

The finished product should look like it belongs in the aquarium rather than appearing as an afterthought.

A reef tank is part engineering project and part artwork.

From Idea to 3D Model

Like most iSeaLive projects, the process started in CAD software.

The design went through multiple iterations as different concepts were tested and refined.

Each prototype focused on improving:

• Structural strength
• Water flow efficiency
• Ease of printing
• Visual appearance
• Pump compatibility

This is one of the biggest advantages of 3D printing. Instead of being limited by traditional manufacturing methods, complex geometries can be created and tested rapidly until the ideal design emerges.

The Power of 3D Printing in Reef Keeping

One of the most exciting developments in the reef hobby is the ability to create custom solutions that simply don't exist commercially.

3D printing allows reef keepers to solve unique problems by designing accessories tailored to their specific equipment and livestock.

The SLW-5 Fish and Anemone Guard is a perfect example.

Rather than accepting the limitations of off-the-shelf equipment, a custom-designed solution was created specifically for the needs of nano reef aquariums.

This approach allows hobbyists to:

• Improve equipment safety
• Customize their tanks
• Extend equipment functionality
• Solve unique reefing challenges
• Create cleaner and more professional installations

Why Anemone Protection Matters

Anemones are beautiful additions to reef aquariums, but they can also be unpredictable.

Even healthy anemones may decide to move when:

• Lighting changes
• Flow patterns change
• Water parameters fluctuate
• They simply find a location they prefer

Unfortunately, a wandering anemone and an exposed wave pump can be a disastrous combination.

A protective guard helps reduce that risk while allowing reef keepers to continue enjoying the benefits of high-flow circulation.

Testing the Finished Design

After multiple design revisions and printed prototypes, the final version achieved the primary goals:

• Protect fish and anemones
• Maintain strong water flow
• Preserve the compact profile of the SLW-5
• Blend naturally into the aquarium
• Install easily without modifications

The result is a simple upgrade that can provide significant peace of mind for reef keepers running Jebao wave pumps.

Watch the Full Design and Creation Video

The complete project video takes you behind the scenes of the design process, showing how the SLW-5 Fish and Anemone Guard evolved from an idea into a finished product.

If you enjoy:

• Reef tank DIY projects
• 3D printing
• Aquarium engineering
• Custom reef accessories
• Jebao pump upgrades

this build showcases the creative process that goes into designing practical solutions for real-world reefing challenges.

At iSeaLive, the goal has always been to combine reef keeping, engineering, and creativity to build products that make aquariums safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable.

The SLW-5 Fish and Anemone Guard is another step in that journey.

Frequently Searched Questions

Does the SLW-5 need a fish guard?

Many reef keepers use additional guards to help protect small fish, anemones, and invertebrates from entering the pump intake.

Will a fish guard reduce flow?

Any guard creates some restriction, but a properly designed guard minimizes flow loss while maximizing protection.

Can an anemone survive being pulled into a wave pump?

Sometimes, but significant damage is common. Prevention is always the better option.

Is the Jebao SLW-5 good for nano reef tanks?

Yes. The SLW-5 is widely considered one of the best budget-friendly wave pumps for nano reef aquariums.