Rust inside reptile cage?

Hello everyone, there are staples holding some vapor barrier inside a wooden cage and all of a sudden the staples have begun rusting and had a bit of brownish water condensing on them. I am very concerned! I have read rust isn't toxic but am not sure. I went in the cage and wiped away the dirty looking water and scrubbed away as much rust as I could muster. Have it venting now so it's not so humid in there.

Advice, tips, hints to resolve this? Thanks

Plan to replace the enclosure sooner rather than later. Wood doesn't do well in a high humidity environment anyway, and it sounds like the fasteners used weren't appropriate for that environment either.

You can buy screws and fasteners that are designed not to rust/corrode - they're primarily used on boats - but they're not cheap.

You Can try to seal them up with animal safe silicone (note you must remove your animal before this and not return them until it's cured) but I agree that you will start seeing more problems with wood enclosures over time.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Plan to replace the enclosure sooner rather than later. Wood doesn't do well in a high humidity environment anyway, and it sounds like the fasteners used weren't appropriate for that environment either.

You can buy screws and fasteners that are designed not to rust/corrode - they're primarily used on boats - but they're not cheap.

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What material would you recommend? And do you have a link to a Canadian source for the screws and fasteners you mentioned so I can get an idea of price?
Also, I do plan to replace the enclosure, but in the meantime I need to know, rust isn't toxic to animals right? I mean it is just oxidized iron - it's in our drinking water in high quantities and I've heard of dogs and cats drinking from pools of water that contain corroding iron and they're fine.

From what I've read and know, rust isn't dangerous itself, it becomes a problem if it is sharp or pointed and a person or animal cuts themselves on it and it gets infected. Does that all sound correct/check out?
Thanks

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

You Can try to seal them up with animal safe silicone (note you must remove your animal before this and not return them until it's cured) but I agree that you will start seeing more problems with wood enclosures over time.

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I have non-toxic aquarium sealant, how long would it be before he could be back in the enclosure? Doesn't it take days for silicone to stop off gassing?

I highly doubt the rust itself is toxic. I would worry far more about the mold issues that a wooden enclosure will have. As to silicone. Read the instructions before you buy it. Different formulations will have different times.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I highly doubt the rust itself is toxic. I would worry far more about the mold issues that a wooden enclosure will have. As to silicone. Read the instructions before you buy it. Different formulations will have different times.

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That's what I thought, There was a bit of mold at the top left half side of the cage but I scrubbed it off and am going to disinfect the area today. I dropped the humidity because it was excessive, it is now where it needs to be without the entire cage being sopping wet.

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Originally Posted by MikeYPG

And do you have a link to a Canadian source for the screws and fasteners you mentioned so I can get an idea of price?

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Look at livestock supply companies or marine (boating) suppliers, anything designed to go outside in a harsh environment. You want products made from either brass or stainless steel. I would avoid anything described as "zinc plated" as they're designed for interior use, or to be painted over so they're not exposed to air.

Just Google "non-corrosive staples" and "non-corrosive screws", or look for them on Amazon - and read the reviews.

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Originally Posted by MikeYPG

That's what I thought, There was a bit of mold at the top left half side of the cage but I scrubbed it off and am going to disinfect the area today. I dropped the humidity because it was excessive, it is now where it needs to be without the entire cage being sopping wet.

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Be careful with the disinfectant. Depending on what you use it can be more dangerous than the actual problem.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

Be careful with the disinfectant. Depending on what you use it can be more dangerous than the actual problem.

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I typically use chlorhexidine or very diluted bleach

I doubt it's a problem but it's unsightly. I like shower liner for lining, I use spray on foam as glue, it sticks to pretty much anything, then I silicone the seams. You can cut the whole thing from one sheet, minimizing the seams, especially on the bottom where water might collect. for a front entry, imagine a "T" upside down, that is the shape I use to cut the liner, then trim it down as I put it in. it definitely takes fabricating and a bit of a smelly mess potential but it makes maintenance down the road much easier to have some form of sealed plastic interior liner.