Reef-Safe: What Our 3D-Printed Gear Is Made Of

The number one question reefers ask before putting printed gear in a tank is simple: is it actually reef-safe? Here is our straight answer, with the material specs most sellers leave out.

What your tank gear is printed in: PETG

Every piece designed to live in your water is printed in PETG, the filament the reef-keeping community trusts in saltwater. It has strong chemical resistance and low water absorption, exactly what you want from something submerged full-time. We have run our own pieces for years with no warping and no cracking.

Pure filament, no mystery additives

Just as important as the plastic is what is not in it. We print with pure PETG, no dyes, glow additives, or composite blends. Those additives, not the base plastic, are usually what people worry about leaching. Leave them out and you remove most of the question.

What we do not use in the tank

We do not use PLA or resin for submerged gear. PLA slowly breaks down in saltwater over time, and uncured resin carries its own risks. Our PLA items, the toy figurines and logo light covers, are made to stay dry on your desk or shelf, never in your water.

The honest part

We are not going to hand you a lab certificate or claim it is impossible for anything to ever leach, because that would not be honest. What we will always do is tell you exactly what a product is made of. A lot of printed-gear sellers shout "100% reef safe" while hiding the material entirely. We would rather show our work.

Before it goes in your tank

Treat a new printed piece like any new equipment: give it a quick rinse or short soak in RO-DI water, then add it. That is it.

Built to last underwater

PETG stands up to salt water and the heat your lights throw without getting brittle the way some plastics do. Printed to order in the USA, designed by people who run the same tanks you do.

Shop reef-safe gear, or dig into the details in our FAQ.