Guppy Guy Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) I have a 3d printer and have been itching to use it for DIY aquarium decorations. Is white ABS safe for this purpose? I have also heard about PETG being safe as well. Is there a certain time frame I have before I need to replace it? Also, are there any recommendations for different filament links? I have experimented with PLA, but it is only good for 6 months. Thank you and all help is appreciated. Edited June 30, 2021 by Guppy Guy Wanted to add PETG into the mix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarina Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 PLA is highly biodegradable, which makes it great for experimental printing, not so great for our aquariums. PETG and ABS will both hold up just fine under water, but I recommend using PETG because it’s easier to print with in general and doesn’t have as many delamination issues. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 On 7/1/2021 at 7:51 AM, Nirvanaquatics said: PLA is highly biodegradable This is kinda a myth. In order to compost PLA it needs to be specially processed first. I'm using "food grade" PLA fillament in my tank right now. But "food grade" is a pretty annoying thing to certify so no one that I know of makes it anymore. Also "ABS" or "PETG" or whatever other plastics are rarely pure polymers so just that description is unfortunately not enough to go on. I'd also shy away from ABS in general because it off gasses worse stuff than the others and who knows how long it leaches stuff after its been extruded (maybe not at all, but IDK). As @Nirvanaquatics said, I'd go with PETG unless you have the capability of printing exotics like PP. You can ask manufacturers and sometimes they'll tell you if their original plastic pellets were food safe (extruding it invalidates that and requires a new certification). You'll also have to ask them if their pigments and additives are food safe. Most, in my experience, are unwilling to directly answer because they don't want liability. IMO, your best best is "natural" colored PETG. after that I'd pick black because its /usually/ carbon black which as far as I know won't poison anything. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 On 7/1/2021 at 3:05 PM, CT_ said: Also "ABS" or "PETG" or whatever other plastics are rarely pure polymers so just that description is unfortunately not enough to go on. I'd also shy away from ABS in general because it off gasses worse stuff than the others and who knows how long it leaches stuff after its been extruded (maybe not at all, but IDK). Would this Clear PETG or black PETG work? Also, I already have this White ABS for other projects, and I have heard this is safe for aquariums too. Can you recommended one? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 "clear" usually has additives to make it clear, though in the case of PETG I'm not sure if clear and natural are the same. You'd have to ask the maker which pigment they use in their black petg. White is the same as clear it takes chemicals to make it. If I had to just pick one of them I think i'd pick clear then black petg in that order, since soda bottles are also PET(G? not sure if they're glycol modified or not). I'm cautious about ABS, but it sounds like there's anecdotal evidence that its fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 Thank you everyone! I ordered the clear PETG from amazon, and will test it in my 3 gallon experimental tank. I will share my results after 1 month of testing. As far as painting goes, I have used Krylon fusion with no problems so far. Thank you all again! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatyourpeas Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 On 7/1/2021 at 2:47 PM, CT_ said: I'm cautious about ABS, but it sounds like there's anecdotal evidence that its fine. I think the off-gassing of ABS is only a concern if there is a large piece in a very small covered water container with no water movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 On 6/30/2021 at 2:19 PM, Guppy Guy said: I have experimented with PLA, but it is only good for 6 months. Not really sure what you mean by this? I've been using PLA for aquarium applications for years without issues. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 The PETG arrived this week. Finally found time to print for the first time. Making a vase as a settings test. Will post time lapse when finished. Thanks again everyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted August 24, 2021 Author Share Posted August 24, 2021 Finally got something half decent from the PETG. It isn’t for the inside of the tank, but it will be in contact with water(I never take it off). Introducing……. THE NET CLIP!!!!! Still trying to get a good looking decoration. It isn’t pretty, but at least the clip works 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 what temperature are you printing at? looks very underextruded at least on the top of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 If that's half decent I'd hate to see what the bad prints looked like 😜 But hey you got something functional, I usually stop at functional too. GL tuning your printer and beyond! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted August 24, 2021 Author Share Posted August 24, 2021 It’s not the temperature, it won’t stick to the build plate. I need to order a Wham bam build plate so I won’t have this issue. Also, I need to fix some cooling and layer adhesion issues as well. It might help if I become a little more patient(which will never happen) and turn down the print speed from 90 mm/s to 40-50 mm/s (which might happen 🙃) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 oh yeah 90mm/s is pretty fast. I'd recommend build tak for surfaces. clean glass has worked well for me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Guy Posted August 24, 2021 Author Share Posted August 24, 2021 (edited) Well, it works for PLA though 😉 (Sadly, not PETG) Edited August 24, 2021 by Guppy Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now