So, expanding foam in a reptile tank...

I've seen a lot of people crafting their own hides and basking spots out of expanding foam and have been thinking about doing some of this myself.

Has anyone here done any work like this?
Is it safe?

I have used the Great Stuff or expanding foam. It is safe as long as it's dry.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

I have used the Great Stuff or expanding foam. It is safe as long as it's dry.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

---

Thanks. I've heard that people coat it in tile grout for texture effects; is this safe? What type of paint could you use if any? Do you need a sealer?

I had this exact same question! Thanks for asking!

I've used sand and a coco fiber as texture. I've seen people seal it with a clear silicone coating. It doesn't make a difference though.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Anyone else?
Tile grout, paint, and sealers; which are safe?


p.s.
How do you edit original posts? I couldn't find an edit button anywhere.

I've decided instead of working totally with expanding foam, I'll just carve styrofoam.
I could still use more information on which types of paints and sealants are safe to use.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maaric

I've decided instead of working totally with expanding foam, I'll just carve styrofoam.
I could still use more information on which types of paints and sealants are safe to use.

---

I also am curious about this, as I would like to make my a few of my snakes new hides..

I have never used the expanding foam, it looked too messy. I also didn't want to use coco fiber because I wanted an easy way to disinfect it.

If you click the link it will bring you to my fake rockwall and basking spot for an example.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ll-and-beardie

You can get all your supplies at Home Depot or Lowe's. For this rockwall I used pre-colored grout ($15). All you need to do is add water to the grout mix. I did 4 coats, start out soupy and continue to increase the thickness each coat, ending in a pudding texture.

For sealer I used Minwax polycrylic ($10 for small can). I thoroughly recommend this process over most. I used a 97 cent spray bottle to spray on the Minwax. I used half water to half sealant and sprayed it on. The last coat I used nothing but the sealant and painted it on with a brush for a solid coat. I would let it dry for 1-2 weeks. I can submerge it under water, scrub hard, and disinfect without any damage to the piece.

I also did a rockwall for my crested gecko cage. I started out with styrofoam, then household black paint, and then DAP silicone caulk sealant. I would not do it this way again. The sealer isn't nearly as durable. When it begins to break down (should hold up for awhile) I plan on coating it with a few coats of the Minwax product. Also the grout makes it feel rock like, it should last a lot longer then styrofoam only.

You can see nice visuals by searching youtube for lizardlandscapes. They helped me out get an idea what to do. Rockwalls are a lot of fun; it's an amazing feeling to finish and to put it in your reptile cage.

Funny that you mention that actually. I was watching some things on that youtube channel earlier today. I picked up some pink panther insulation foam at home depot today to start sculpting.

Also purchased a tube of Silicone II 100% silicone with intent on using it to coat the inside of the 'pool' I'll be making.
I thought about the grout but didn't feel like paying for it when I went up there today, and probably have some laying around the house.

Anyway, you think this silicone product will be safe once cured?
I don't see anything on it saying that it provides mold or mildew resistance. It does however say that it is "Sun/Freeze Proof."

Its a product by GE simply called Premium Waterproof Silicone.
Says its for Window/Door/Attic/Basement use

edit: I have noticed that the pink panther insulation foam has a thin layer of plastic on both sides. Should this be peeled off before sculpting/caulking layers or just left alone?