3D printing filament help

[elic173]

Hi All
I want to print a random flow generator nozzle for my marine fish tank.
I read online that I should use ABS or PETG.
When I look at the characteristics of Z-GLASS (see attached), it states that “PETG based filament with an addition of fibre glass…’
Do you think this will be safe, or should I use another type of filament?
If so, from the attached list, which would you recommend?
Thanks
Eli

 

[scottedontknow]

ive always printed in black or white ABS for things that go in the tank, i have read that other colors my be toxic. i also know a few people that print in PETG also black or white (no heated bed) with no issues in the tanks yet.

 

[scottedontknow]

Oh also this...

Reef Safe 3D Printing Filament

Hi Everybody, Let's create a master list of known reef safe filaments. Please post the filaments you have had success with and I will update this initial post accordingly. Please include the manufacturer, plastic type and colour. Copolyester colorFabb nGen White Hatchbox PETG White MG...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[erk]

Hi All
I want to print a random flow generator nozzle for my marine fish tank.
I read online that I should use ABS or PETG.
When I look at the characteristics of Z-GLASS (see attached), it states that “PETG based filament with an addition of fibre glass…’
Do you think this will be safe, or should I use another type of filament?
If so, from the attached list, which would you recommend?
Thanks
Eli

Are you worried about the addition of fiberglass? It is glass fibers, no resin. The fibers help to strengthen the material. PETG is far easier to print than ABS.

 

[scottedontknow]

I haven’t heard of any side effects yet but we can’t rule that out until someone uses it for a few years first haha! My thought is that once it’s printed and cooled the filament shouldn’t break back down like PLA would over time. So In theory it SHOULD (hopefully) be safe for the long run

 

[elic173]

Are you worried about the addition of fiberglass? It is glass fibers, no resin. The fibers help to strengthen the material. PETG is far easier to print than ABS.

Yes I was concerned with the glass fibre element. I can order any of the plastics from my attached list. Can you recommend which you think is the best?

 

[erk]

Yes I was concerned with the glass fibre element. I can order any of the plastics from my attached list. Can you recommend which you think is the best?

ABS is a pain to print due to its CTE. It often separates from the build platen if the material cools too quickly. Ideally needs a heated enclosure. I've made small parts out of ABS without an enclosure, but it took several tries. I have PETG, but yet to build with it. It is supposed to be as robust as ABS, but easier printing requirements. I have also used PLA in my aquarium, using it in several places. Yet to see any obvious degradation to the components that I am using.

So what I would say is build out of PLA to test. Prove out your design in an easy to build/cheap material. Once it is good to go, depending on your printer, build out of PETG or ABS. You don't need fiberglass reinforced PETG. Regular PETG is fine. I have an Ender 3, so PETG and PLA are better for me. I am planning to build an enclosure, so once I do that ABS parts should be much easier to build.

As for the comment above about colors and toxicity. I don't know where this comes from. I have 4 legs made of red ABS that I use on my skimmer to hold it at the correct depth. Been running this way for at least 6 months now. If you want to stick closer to natural colors to avoid toxins, black and white are not it. The natural color of most of these materials is an off-white.

 

[erk]

I haven’t heard of any side effects yet but we can’t rule that out until someone uses it for a few years first haha!

I don't understand this comment. Most of these materials are used extensively for marine equipment. ABS is used frequently for pump housings and such. PETG used for the multitude of bottles that store the food and chemicals we pour into our tank. Whether in a filament or a final piece, the material chemical composition is the same.