Plastic Models on Reef Tank

[gdimaandal]

Is it safe to put plastic models mostly gunpla on a reef tank. I want to do the same thing I did on my freshwater tank.

 

[SaltyWalty]

Do you know the type of plastics the models are made of?

 

[gdimaandal]

It is made from polystyrene and ABS Plastic. Atleast that is what google says :D

 

[SaltyWalty]

Generally both of them are considered reef safe. I guess my next question is if they are painting or coated in anything that will really be your limiting factor

 

[gdimaandal]

It is top coated with clear acrylic paint.

 

[SaltyWalty]

It will really depend. Many fully cured water-based acrylic paints are relatively inert, but “acrylic” alone doesn’t guarantee reef safety. Pigments, fungicides, preservatives, plasticizers, and other additives can be problematic. Might be worth submerging one in a some saltwater for a few weeks and seeing if any flacking, or color changes happen.
On that note reef lights tend to have more uv and could cause color bleaching if the models. So overtime they would change color.

 

[Tickolas]

Just want to say, that old tank looks amazing! =)

 

[gdimaandal]

Just want to say, that old tank looks amazing! =)

Thnx! I have a couple of extra gunpla and I have no room for display that is why I want to dip and try it on saltwater.

 

[gdimaandal]

It will really depend. Many fully cured water-based acrylic paints are relatively inert, but “acrylic” alone doesn’t guarantee reef safety. Pigments, fungicides, preservatives, plasticizers, and other additives can be problematic. Might be worth submerging one in a some saltwater for a few weeks and seeing if any flacking, or color changes happen.
On that note reef lights tend to have more uv and could cause color bleaching if the models. So overtime they would change color.

thnx for the insights. I will try that. My goal is to make it look like an abandon machine underwater :)