3D Printer Proximity to Reef Tank

ariellemermaid · Nov 29, 2022

My 3D printer arrives tomorrow! My first reef related question is what folks think regarding placement of their 3D printers relative to their reef tanks. My tanks are in a large open floor plan basement and I went with a FlashForge enclosed printer with a HEPA filter. The basement is the only great option and the bathroom with an outside vent fan is probably too small. So what are your thoughts regarding plastic fumes and micro plastics (less of a concern with the HEPA filter) and reef tanks? Mainly thinking of PETG but it sounds like the VOC concern is much higher if I do any ABS.

_Jake_Simek_ · Dec 7, 2022

ariellemermaid said:
My 3D printer arrives tomorrow! My first reef related question is what folks think regarding placement of their 3D printers relative to their reef tanks. My tanks are in a large open floor plan basement and I went with a FlashForge enclosed printer with a HEPA filter. The basement is the only great option and the bathroom with an outside vent fan is probably too small. So what are your thoughts regarding plastic fumes and micro plastics (less of a concern with the HEPA filter) and reef tanks? Mainly thinking of PETG but it sounds like the VOC concern is much higher if I do any ABS.

If you have an enclosure with a HEPA I wouldn't be too concerned if you are printing just PETG. I do agree, ABS would be a bit more of a concern. PETG is fairly non toxic, as for the microplastics, the HEPA and the enclosure should do the job. And since you are not really in a small area I think it would be okay. As with anything like that tho I would try to keep it as far away as you can just to be safe.