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PLA in aquarium?

Posted by ebcdic 
PLA in aquarium?
May 02, 2012 05:43PM
Is it safe to use printed PLA objects in a fishtank (containing tropical fish and aquatic frogs)?
Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 02, 2012 05:55PM
Safe I am not sure but it does break down. To compost it they recommend that it be moist and around 50c.


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Anonymous User
Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 06, 2012 03:27AM
It is safe, PLA won't be composed unles on :
high temperature, virus(bateria),acid value,oxygen.


In normal condition, PLA is hard than PC ,PP.
Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 07, 2012 02:01AM
Don't know but sister in law tried putting a PLA object in the dishwasher and wondered why it melted


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Experimenting in 3D in New Zealand
Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 07, 2012 02:15AM
PLA will dissolve in high alkine solutions, dishwashing detergents are usually very high in alkalinity so thats why it dissolves. PLA is safe in freshwater fishtanks where kh is 0-3dkH but does not do well in saltwater aquariums where the kh is 8-11dkh. There is a product called biopellets in the aquarium industry, and it is a plastic polymer very simular to PLA that bacteria consumes, I would not suggest using PLA inside a fishtank.

only reason I know this is because I used to part-own an aquarium storesmiling smiley


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Kreativ-e
Tinkerine Studio
Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 07, 2012 05:30AM
The reason why PLA melts/deforms in dishwashers is due to the hot water.


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Re: PLA in aquarium?
May 09, 2012 09:41PM
I have printed aquarium stuff in the past but once I have my print I use Smooth-On molding and plastic products to make the object out of aquarium (and reef) safe plastic.
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