Any model painters here?

[Utar]

I google searched "is PLA safe for aquariums" and perused a few articles about it. The consensus seems to be that it's OK in fresh water and won't kill your fish, but I'd probably do more in-depth research before I added it to a tank of my own.

Based on my very small amount of reading, I'd probably be more concerned about it dissolving over time than about toxicity.

Not to concerned about it dissolving overtime as long as it is safe. I have also been doing research on this and learning all this for the very first time. I find this very interesting and wondered about getting a 3D printer. Here on this website "Is 3D Printed PLA, ABS & PETG Safe for Fish or Aquariums? "they talk about safe PLA plastic filaments and here is one pointed out on amazon HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament.
There is a link to ask the company questions, that makes these model walls. So I am going to ask them what filament they are using and is it safe for aquariums and non-toxic filaments.

 

[eatyourpeas]

I just found this article, and it seems relevant if you are planning on breeding. Waiting for my daughter to return in a couple of days to ask her about this as she is the materials expert.

Uh oh! 3D printed objects found to be toxic to fish

Researchers have discovered that plastic objects created by both types of popular 3D printing techniques do serious harm to fish, at least when it comes to zebrafish embryo development.

reefs.com

 

[Utar]

I just found this article, and it seems relevant if you are planning on breeding. Waiting for my daughter to return in a couple of days to ask her about this as she is the materials expert.

Uh oh! 3D printed objects found to be toxic to fish

Researchers have discovered that plastic objects created by both types of popular 3D printing techniques do serious harm to fish, at least when it comes to zebrafish embryo development.

reefs.com

I believe this internet article is how 3d printed plastic objects react to salt water. Not sure about fresh water. Since this article is five years old, I have found a few that say as long as the 3d printing is done with non-toxic filaments then it is save. But PLA plastic which is plant based can deteriorate in water over time, not sure how this relates to the plastic when it is painted or coated.

 

[Utar]

This thread begs another question, what kind of plastic is PVC pipe made from. I have seen many threads on aquarium forums where people have used pvc pipe in their aquariums to make tunnels and hide aways for loaches etc. I have yet to hear of any problems using pvc plastic pipes for aquariums. Most of these that I know of have all been fresh water, so not sure about salt water.

I bet you a dollar to a doughnut (Not ask me where that saying came from..lol) that many plastic aquarium ornaments that people buy at pet shops and online or made with 3d printers. What type of plastic filaments is used I have no idea.

 

[eatyourpeas]

This thread begs another question, what kind of plastic is PVC pipe made from. I have seen many threads on aquarium forums where people have used pvc pipe in their aquariums to make tunnels and hide aways for loaches etc. I have yet to hear of any problems using pvc plastic pipes for aquariums. Most of these that I know of have all been fresh water, so not sure about salt water.

I bet you a dollar to a doughnut (Not ask me where that saying came from..lol) that many plastic aquarium ornaments that people buy at pet shops and online or made with 3d printers. What type of plastic filaments is used I have no idea.

PVC is apparently safe ((just don't cook it). Perhaps we are getting overworked about this, but then again, I get super geeky about stuff. PLA is the most popular filament, and I bet that is what they used. It requires lower temperatures.

Adding: Make sure you give them a good wash as acetone can be used to clean the piece when it is finished printing.

 

[Retired Viking]

I have been building models since I was a kid but have not tried painting anything to go into my tanks. I usually used enamel paints as a base coat and then acrylic paint to high light or as a 2nd coat since they tend to stick better to a enamel base coat than to just painting directly onto the surface. There are several different manufacturers of acrylic paints so I would do some research on line to find the safest. The ones you can thin out using just water are probably the safest but the paint may rub off easier. Good luck.

 

[Huscarl86]

I would probably get something like this instead:

Aquarium castle

There's plenty of that type of thing if you shop around. Why make things complicated and paint it yourself?

 

[Utar]

Always the experimenter and trying to come with something different for a theme in aquarium projects, sometimes I go overboard with it. From what I have researched the ruined walls after painting with acrylic paints should be safe to use, but guess I am not completely sure about that.

 

[Utar]

I would probably get something like this instead:

Aquarium castle

There's plenty of that type of thing if you shop around. Why make things complicated and paint it yourself?

The website you linked to looks to be in the UK. I looked for the same thing on amazon for US but did not find it, so I will look a bit longer maybe find it somewhere else where I might order it. Thanks for the reply.....

 

[eatyourpeas]

The website you linked to looks to be in the UK. I looked for the same thing on amazon for US but did not find it, so I will look a bit longer maybe find it somewhere else where I might order it. Thanks for the reply.....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085F12269/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[StevenF]

Usefull information:

PLA plastic

This thread begs another question, what kind of plastic is PVC pipe made from.

PVC stands for Polyviny lchloride

both plastics are generally considered safe. Many people use flexible PVC hoses in aquariums. Just be sure you use food grade PVC which has been tested to be safe with food and water.

Only issue I see with PLA is that will slowly biodegrade. It would probably last years without any visible sign of degradation. But Have no experience with it. However you could clear coat it after it has been plainted with food grade epoxy coating to prevent that.

I just found this article, and it seems relevant if you are planning on breeding. Waiting for my daughter to return in a couple of days to ask her about this as she is the materials expert.

Uh oh! 3D printed objects found to be toxic to fish

Researchers have discovered that plastic objects created by both types of popular 3D printing techniques do serious harm to fish, at least when it comes to zebrafish embryo development.

reefs.com

Printing PLA parts generally requires melting the plastic. That can degrade any plastic and result in toxic compounds. It is generally a good idea to was and was the plastic with soap water and then let it site in a bucket of clean water to insure anything in will leach out.

 

[Huscarl86]

This one is 10.5 inches high, and looks like a much better option for you..

Penn Plax Wizards Castle - Amazon US $19.72. I have ALWAYS wanted this, but it's just a bit too large for me.

Castle walls I showed you earlier $18.99 from Amazon US.

Castle walls with airstone $20.99 Amazon US.

Just search "Aquarium castle" on amazon or google and you will see a few more.

As it happens, I am/was a model painter. I've got a small army of 28mm Anglo-Saxons that I painted a few years back, and I collected Warhammer 40k as a teenager (I had a massive Death Guard army). I get you want to experiment and mix things up, but in my opinion you want to keep your aquarium and miniature scenery separate, as much as some of it does look similar. (apparently a lot of people use aquarium scenery for tabletop games)

 

[Kyle E.]

collected Warhammer 40k as a teenager (I had a massive Death Guard army)

I have never found another Warhammer 40k fan! Ultramarines all the way!

 

[Huscarl86]

I have never found another Warhammer 40k fan! Ultramarines all the way!

Actually I'm no longer a fan, and boycotted GW for several years (until this Xmas actually, when Steam put Vermintide II down to £6.90 in the winter sale). Other than that I try not to spend a penny with them, but did buy a few paints when I was doing my Saxons.

 

[Kyle E.]

Oh well. Back to searching I guess.