Aquarium safe lacquer/sealer

[Commander Shepard]

Hi everyone

I've been designing some 3d printed floating plant accessories - main one is a feeding ring that can't rotate or move other than up and down, even with a snail on it, to make it safe with auto feeders while on holiday.

I'd like to seal these as PLA will slowly take on water and I also don't really trust the dyes they use. Any recommendations for some coating that would work? I have some matte Plastikote which is acrylic based and it did waterproof paper in a test I did, but not sure if it's safe or if it would hold up long term.

Initially I thought some automotive clear coat repair lacquer would be perfect, but then it has a warning that it's toxic to aquatic life.

Thanks!

 

[Maf 2500]

I don't know about Plastikote specifically but the rival product Plasti-Dip makes a thing out of being safe for aquarium and pond use - Using Plasti Dip for aquariums - Plasti Dip

As for the automotive lacquer, I would have thought it would be totally inert once fully dried, with the warning about toxicity relevant to the liquid state. Would I be willing to take the gamble? Probably not...

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

In fresh water of about 25C it’s going to take a long time (50+ years) for PLA to break down. You need much more heat like in an industrial composting facility.

https://www.gianeco.com/en/faq-detail/1/10/how-long-does-pla-take-to-decompose

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666682022000123