Hatch box PLA truly Reef Safe?

[ASIN28]

Hey all,
So I just want to make sure before I go ahead that this filament is actually reef safe. According to my research it is, but I’d like to hopefully get someone who used this before without any issues. Should I cover it with waterproofing anyway just to be extra safe?
Thank you!

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

@Projects with Sam ?

 

[immo]

I always just use petg. Any particular reason you’re against using petg?

 

[ASIN28]

I always just use petg. Any particular reason you’re against using petg?

Only because my brother in law has the printer and he told me his printer only prints PLA unfortunately. I need media cups for a Fiji cube 32AIO can’t find them anywhere so I wanted to print them

 

[theatrus]

I stick ABS in the water (also from Hatchbox). While I have a lot of HB PLA, and have put some in the water, it does not survive my UV LEDs and gets brittle.

 

[Projects with Sam]

PLA breaks down pretty quick in the marine environment. It looks ok to me if its all you can print. ABS is the gold standard and PETG works pretty well.

 

[theatrus]

Unless the printer doesn't have a heated bed, PETG is pretty doable on anything out there. It may not look great but be serviceable.

 

[ASIN28]

PLA breaks down pretty quick in the marine environment. It looks ok to me if its all you can print. ABS is the gold standard and PETG works pretty well.

Is there anything I could use to makybe epoxy it or water proof it to extended its life?

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Is there anything I could use to makybe epoxy it or water proof it to extended its life?

Just print multiples, it breaks if you put it under stress. If the part won’t be holding something up it will last quite a long time. I use whatever PLA is on hand. Media cups should last quite sometime IMO.

 

[ASIN28]

PLA breaks down pretty quick in the marine environment. It looks ok to me if its all you can print. ABS is the gold standard and PETG works pretty well.

If I did want to coat the PTA with something to last longer what could I use that is reef safe?

 

[Projects with Sam]

If I did want to coat the PTA with something to last longer what could I use that is reef safe?

That question is beyond my paygrade.
you could start talking about what is 'safe'
Do you mean safe nowadays or safe like pre-industrial revolution?
There are Micro-plastics in my blood. what's safe?

 

[theatrus]

If I did want to coat the PTA with something to last longer what could I use that is reef safe?

It would be simpler to just print 5 copies. Light is what breaks them down for me, so media baskets might last a long while.

PLA is usually synthesized from a starch (though some may have other plastic polymers in it). As @Projects with Sam said, our tanks are already full of plastics (PVC, PA, ABS, silicones, PC, PET, other polymers) and busy shaving more away into the area as pump impellers spin. Just some media baskets isn't going to change much

 

[jkcoon]

I've had a couple PLA pod houses in my fuge for several years now - they don't seem to show any degradation

 

[InvaderJim]

I used PLA for the corners of my screen top and I've already replaced them twice. I'm thinking that the UV breaks down the plastic. Just a guess though.