Printing FAQ - Is 3D Printer Filament Food Safe

Q: 🐠 Is PLA Safe for Aquarium Use?

Short answer: Kind of... but not really for the long haul. Better use PETG. PLA is like that one house guest who’s great for a weekend visit but starts falling apart if they stay too long. In short-term or decorative use , PLA works fine in aquariums. But if you want something long-lasting , PLA will let you down like wet cardboard. 🔬 Why? PLA absorbs water and slowly breaks down—especially in warm or high-flow tanks. It can also grow biofilm (yep, that slimy stuff fish seem to love but humans find gross). ✅ Use it for : prototypes, temporary decor or dry spots in the tank ❌ Avoid it for : anything structural or permanent submerged use 💡 3D Print Tip : If you must use PLA underwater, some sources (for example buildbee ) recommend to coat it with an aquarium-safe sealant (like epoxy resin) to extend its lifespan. But even then—it’s a band-aid, not a cure. Check out this topic to understand, why sealing your 3D Prints is NOT a Good Idea for Aquariums : 3D Printing Materials: Safe and Unsafe Choices for Aquariums and Terrariums .

Q: 💧 Is PLA Waterproof?

Nope. Standard PLA is about as waterproof as a paper towel in the rain. PLA doesn’t dissolve in water (that would be dramatic), but it absorbs moisture , becomes brittle and eventually crumbles like a cookie . 💡 3D Print Tip : PETG, on the other hand, handles water like a champ. More on that below 👇

Q: ☠️ Is UV Resin Aquarium Safe?

NO. Just… no. Uncured UV resin is toxic . Even fully cured parts might leach chemicals , especially in aquatic environments. Your fish might not tell you, but they will suffer. 🐟 Aquarium 3D Print Rule #1 : If you’re not 100% sure it’s safe, don’t put it near your fish. Resin prints look pretty, but they’re better for dry land.

Q: 🔬 Is ABS or PETG Better for Aquariums?

PETG is the goldilocks of aquarium-safe filament. Why? Let’s break it down:

Q: 🐢 Is PLA Safe for Animals? Is PLA Safe for Reptiles?

Only if your animal is not a reptile living in a swamp . PLA works fine in dry, low-humidity environments . But if your pet is living their best life in a jungle-style vivarium—PLA may warp or degrade. ✅ Safe for : gecko hides, snake tunnels, tortoise furniture in dry tanks ❌ Avoid in : humid setups, desert tanks with misters or foggers 📌 Bonus: PETG is once again the winner for humidity-heavy enclosures.

Q: 🍽️ Is PLA Food Safe?

Here’s where it gets sticky. Technically, pure PLA is food safe . But 3D printing it? Not so much.

Q: 🎈 Does PETG Float in Water?

Nope. It’s denser than water and typically sinks like a responsible adult’s dreams . So if you’re making floating plants or fish hammocks, PETG might not be your best pick . PLA can float… until it gets soggy.

Q: ❌ What is NOT Suitable for 3D Printing?

When talking about 3D Print Filaments for Aquariums & Terrariums , as well as food-safe filaments overall, the following materials should NOT be used:

Q: 🧪 What Silicone Can You Use in a Fish Tank?

Only 100% pure silicone labeled as “aquarium-safe.” If it doesn’t explicitly say that, walk away like it just ghosted you after three dates. 🚫 Avoid anything with: Mold inhibitors Anti-microbial additives “Bathroom/kitchen use only” labels These extra ingredients might make your shower mold-free, but they’ll turn your tank into a toxic soup for fish .

Welcome to my Monthly 3D Printing FAQ, where I take the strangest, smartest and most surprisingly popular questions from Google’s “People Also Ask” section and give them clear, no-nonsense answers and even some expert tips for better 3D print (with a pinch of humor when needed). Today’s main topic – Is 3D Printer Filament Food Safe?

Table of Contents

📌 What’s this FAQ about and why should you care?

Welcome back, brave printer of things! If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering “Is 3D printer filament food safe?”, “Is 3D print going to poison my fish?” or “Can I eat spaghetti from this 3D printed bowl?”—you’re not alone. The world of 3D printing filaments is full of confusing advice, half-truths and straight-up myths.

But fear not! This month’s FAQ cuts through the noise. We’re answering the most popular, weirdest and surprisingly important questions about 3D print filament safety—especially in aquariums & terrariums, with animals and yes… even with your food.

So grab your curiosity and that big question—is 3D printer filament food safe—because we’re diving in with facts and a few laughs.

A funny cartoon style pic of goldfish testing different 3d print filaments and trying to answer the main question - is 3D printer filament food safe

🐠 Is PLA Safe for Aquarium Use?

Short answer: Kind of… but not really for the long haul. Better use PETG.

PLA is like that one house guest who’s great for a weekend visit but starts falling apart if they stay too long. In short-term or decorative use, PLA works fine in aquariums. But if you want something long-lasting, PLA will let you down like wet cardboard.

🔬 Why?
PLA absorbs water and slowly breaks down—especially in warm or high-flow tanks. It can also grow biofilm (yep, that slimy stuff fish seem to love but humans find gross).

✅ Use it for: prototypes, temporary decor or dry spots in the tank
❌ Avoid it for: anything structural or permanent submerged use

💡 3D Print Tip: If you must use PLA underwater, some sources (for example buildbee) recommend to coat it with an aquarium-safe sealant (like epoxy resin) to extend its lifespan. But even then—it’s a band-aid, not a cure. Check out this topic to understand, why sealing your 3D Prints is NOT a Good Idea for Aquariums: 3D Printing Materials: Safe and Unsafe Choices for Aquariums and Terrariums.

Check out my post PLA Filament: The Best 3D Printer Filament for Beginners and Beyond? to deep dive into the PLA filament topic!

💧 Is PLA Waterproof?

Nope. Standard PLA is about as waterproof as a paper towel in the rain.

PLA doesn’t dissolve in water (that would be dramatic), but it absorbs moisture, becomes brittle and eventually crumbles like a cookie.

💡 3D Print Tip: PETG, on the other hand, handles water like a champ. More on that below 👇

☠️ Is UV Resin Aquarium Safe?

NO. Just… no.

Uncured UV resin is toxic. Even fully cured parts might leach chemicals, especially in aquatic environments. Your fish might not tell you, but they will suffer.

🐟 Aquarium 3D Print Rule #1: If you’re not 100% sure it’s safe, don’t put it near your fish. Resin prints look pretty, but they’re better for dry land.

🔬 Is ABS or PETG Better for Aquariums?

PETG is the goldilocks of aquarium-safe filament.

Why? Let’s break it down:

Material	Water-Resistant	Non-Toxic	Aquarium-Safe
PLA	❌ No (absorbs)	✅ Yes	⚠️ Short-term only
ABS	❌ Warps, off-gasses	⚠️ Maybe (toxic fumes)	❌ Risky
PETG	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

PETG is tough, non-toxic and water-resistant, making it a solid choice for aquariums, terrariums or anywhere your print might get splashed.

🧠 More detailed breakdown of the PETG filament in the topic PETG Filament Pros and Cons: Here’s why it Might be Your Best Friend (or worst Nightmare).

🐢 Is PLA Safe for Animals? Is PLA Safe for Reptiles?

Only if your animal is not a reptile living in a swamp.

PLA works fine in dry, low-humidity environments. But if your pet is living their best life in a jungle-style vivarium—PLA may warp or degrade.

✅ Safe for: gecko hides, snake tunnels, tortoise furniture in dry tanks
❌ Avoid in: humid setups, desert tanks with misters or foggers

📌 Bonus: PETG is once again the winner for humidity-heavy enclosures.

🍽️ Is PLA Food Safe?

Here’s where it gets sticky. Technically, pure PLA is food safe. But 3D printing it? Not so much.

👎 Why not?

Microscopic layer lines trap bacteria
Most consumer printers use brass nozzles, which may contain lead
Additives in PLA filaments? Who knows what’s in there…

💡 Want to print for food contact?

Use a stainless steel nozzle
Print with certified food-safe PLA
Apply a food-grade epoxy coating

🐠 Does 3D Printing Contribute to Microplastics?

Unfortunately, yes.

When PLA, PETG or other filaments degrade, they can break down into tiny plastic fragments.

📉 How to reduce your microplastic footprint:

Use sealed designs to reduce erosion
Avoid PLA in aquariums
Don’t toss prints into nature
Recycle scraps with a filament recycler

🌍 3D printing is amazing—but sustainable printing is the next big thing. Want to explore this more? Check out my post How to Reduce Waste and Make 3D Printing More Sustainable – All about Filament Recycler.

🎈 Does PETG Float in Water?

Nope. It’s denser than water and typically sinks like a responsible adult’s dreams.

So if you’re making floating plants or fish hammocks, PETG might not be your best pick. PLA can float… until it gets soggy.

❌ What is NOT Suitable for 3D Printing?

When talking about 3D Print Filaments for Aquariums & Terrariums, as well as food-safe filaments overall, the following materials should NOT be used:

🚫 Material	❌ Why Not
PVC	Releases chlorine-based toxins
Polycarbonate	Potential BPA leaching
Resin	Toxic, even after curing
Unsealed PLA	Degrades, can host biofilm or bacteria

When in doubt, don’t experiment on your pets. If it’s not certified safe, keep it dry or decorative.

🧪 What Silicone Can You Use in a Fish Tank?

Only 100% pure silicone labeled as “aquarium-safe.”

If it doesn’t explicitly say that, walk away like it just ghosted you after three dates.
🚫 Avoid anything with:
Mold inhibitors
Anti-microbial additives
“Bathroom/kitchen use only” labels

These extra ingredients might make your shower mold-free, but they’ll turn your tank into a toxic soup for fish.

📝 Final Thoughts & Next Month’s FAQ Teaser

That’s a wrap for our March 2025 edition of the 3D Printing FAQ! You’re now better equipped to answer:

Is PLA food safe? (Kinda…)
Is PETG aquarium safe? (Yes!)
Is UV resin the aquatic Grim Reaper? (Also yes.)

🚀 Next Month’s FAQ: Beginner Chaos, Printing Dreams & That One Guy Trying to 3D Print a 3D Printer

You’ve mastered STL files, dodged toxic resin and survived the PLA debates—what’s next?

In April 2025, we’re diving into the “Beginner’s Black Hole” of Google questions like:

How to 3D print something (anything! please help!)
What should I 3D print?
How long does it take to 3D print a thing… or the thing?
Can I 3D print silicone? Metal? My own printer??

Yup, it’s going to be wild. Whether you’re looking to design your first model, remove stubborn supports or just wondering “how much does this hobby actually cost me?”—FAQ #3 will cover your back.

💡 Spoiler: I’ll even answer whether 3D printing your lunchbox is cheaper than buying one… and why your lizard cave still took 14 hours to print.

🎤 Now I Want to Hear From You!

1️⃣ What’s the funniest or weirdest question from this list? Drop it in the comments! 🤣
2️⃣ Which question was actually the most useful for you? Let me know—I might go deeper on that topic in a future post. 💡

🔥 Got a question about Terrarium or Aquarium 3D Print? Drop it in the comments—I might include it in April’s FAQ! 🔥

📅 New posts every week! While you wait for the next FAQ, check out my other deep dives into the insights, tips and ideas for 3D Printing — posted twice / week!

Until next time—slice safe, print with according filaments and don’t feed your shrimp PLA spaghetti 😉

3D Printing FAQ #2 – The Funniest, Strangest and Smartest Questions Ever Asked on Google: March 2025