ELEGOO Metal Resin Tank for Mars 4: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-24

Summary

The ELEGOO metal resin tank is an aluminum-alloy replacement vat for the Mars 4 and Mars 4 Ultra with the release film pre-installed; the film clouds and scratches with use and the body can leak at seams, so it is a consumable rather than a lifetime part. Running cost is the replacement film or whole tank: $32.99 for the FEP/Mars 4 variant and $37.99 for the ACF/Mars 4 Ultra variant on ELEGOO’s US store in October 2026, plus resin.

Common problems and fixes

Film clouds and scratches with use — the release film is the wearing part; replace cloudy or scratched film, and the tank’s bottom feet keep the film off the workbench to avoid scratches. [1][2][5]
Tank body can leak at seams — a known resin-vat failure mode; inspect the vat body for cracks or resin leaks at seams before use, and replace the tank when the body is damaged or leaking. [5][1][2]
Variant mismatch (FEP vs ACF) — ELEGOO sells two tanks with identical 209 x 140 x 32.8 mm dimensions but different liners: FEP for Mars 4, ACF for Mars 4 Ultra. They are not interchangeable, so match the tank to the printer and film type and verify the liner on the box. [1][2][3][4]
Cover inclusion is uncertain for the FEP variant — store Q&A confirms a cover ships with the Ultra/ACF variant, but the FEP/Mars 4 page does not state a cover, so buyers of the FEP variant should confirm before relying on it. [1][2]
Warranty excludes consumables — ELEGOO’s warranty policy classifies consumable parts such as release film as excluded or limited-warranty items, so film wear is not covered; no further warranty specifics for this accessory were found. [1][2]

Parts and consumables

Replacement release film (FEP or ACF) — the wearing part, pre-installed on both variants; ELEGOO’s US store lists the whole tank at $32.99 (FEP, SKU SPUS-EL-3D-217) or $37.99 (ACF, SKU SPUS-EL-3D-223) in October 2026, and whether film is sold alone is not confirmed on the pages read. [1][2]
Whole metal tank body — aluminum alloy, 209 x 140 x 32.8 mm; a low-cost replacement at $32.99 (FEP) or $37.99 (ACF) on ELEGOO’s US store in October 2026 when the body is damaged or leaking. [1][2]
Tank cover — confirmed included with the Ultra/ACF variant per store Q&A; not stated for the FEP/Mars 4 variant. [1][2]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data for a yearly total: no measured film life, replacement interval or electricity figure is published, and ELEGOO’s pages do not confirm whether film is sold alone. The only defensible cost inputs are the tank prices — $32.99 (FEP/Mars 4) or $37.99 (ACF/Mars 4 Ultra) on ELEGOO’s US store in October 2026 — plus resin, so a worn vat costs at least one tank per replacement cycle. [1][2]

When it is a good buy

At $32.99 (FEP/Mars 4) — good buy when the vat is worn or leaking on a Mars 4; the metal body outlasts a plastic vat but the film still wears. [1][5]
At $37.99 (ACF/Mars 4 Ultra) — good buy only if you want the ACF film’s stated release properties; the $5 premium over FEP is unquantified beyond manufacturer claims. [2][4]
Global store at $47.99 — both variants under UK SKUs SPUK-EL-3D-217 and SPUK-EL-3D-223 in October 2026; worth it only if the US store is unavailable. [3][4]

Named alternatives:

The other variant — choose the ACF/Mars 4 Ultra tank ($37.99) only for a Mars 4 Ultra; choose the FEP/Mars 4 tank ($32.99) for a Mars 4. [1][2]
A film-only replacement — may suffice if only the film is worn and the body is sound; ELEGOO’s pages do not confirm film is sold alone, so verify before buying. [1][2][5]