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  1. #1
    Registered User FractalVision's Avatar
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    Vivarium Leaking

    Hi everyone,

    I really would like some help/advice.
    I have a 1.5 year old bci/bi boa named Cicero (whom I adore)
    He is in a 4ft viv at present (which I will upgrade as he gets bigger)
    I sealed the viv with silicone, but noticed that it was leaking, so I took him out and tried to seal it again as efficiently as I could - but this week he happily had his rat, and today I came home to discover that he had peed like a racehorse, and it leaked out again.

    This is very frustrating. Are there any other options I could try? Can I put some plastic sheeting/tarp at the bottom of the viv? At present, I am using newspaper, but I'm thinking to also switch to an absorbant substrate. I find it so hard to make sure I am sealing it properly at the front due to lack of visibility.

    Any suggestions please?

  2. #2
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    I'd be real careful what you seal it with. Make sure whatever you use has time to off gas prior to putting the snake back in.

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  4. #3
    Registered User FractalVision's Avatar
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    Re: Vivarium Leaking

    Yes, I left it for over 24 hours each time.
    The boa was put into a separate enclosure for the duration.

  5. #4
    BPnet Veteran Gocntry's Avatar
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    Re: Vivarium Leaking

    Are we talking Pvc or Glass?? What kind of silicone are you using?

    for PVC Reptile Basics uses DAP Dynaflex 230

    and for glass maybe use an aquarium silicone sold in local pet store

    and remember prep is the key, all the old must be removed, and the area cleaned really well

    Hope this helps

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  7. #5
    Registered User FractalVision's Avatar
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    Wooden vivarium, and white bathroom sealant, which I was told was just fine providing you leave it 24+ hours.

    The problem is that I can't see where the join is at the front of the viv, no visibility so I can't see what I'm doing.
    Has anyone used any plastic sheeting at the bottom of the viv too?

  8. #6
    BPnet Veteran Gocntry's Avatar
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    Re: Vivarium Leaking

    Quote Originally Posted by FractalVision View Post
    Wooden vivarium, and white bathroom sealant, which I was told was just fine providing you leave it 24+ hours.

    The problem is that I can't see where the join is at the front of the viv, no visibility so I can't see what I'm doing.
    Has anyone used any plastic sheeting at the bottom of the viv too?
    Use a small hand mirror to see where you need to silicone??

    I've used an inspection mirror to see into all kinds of goofy angles I couldn't fit my head into

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  10. #7
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    I've heard of people using pond sealer for to seal wooden enclosures. I've never used it, so don't know much about it. May be worth looking into though?

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  12. #8
    Registered User FractalVision's Avatar
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    Thanks for the suggestions guys. Either way, I know I need to sort it out asap. I will start using different substrate too.

  13. #9
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    https://www.lowes.com/pd/36-in-W-Cut...oot/1000043771

    I bought that and put it in some of my melamine enclosures where the floor had cracked so liquids could seep into the wood underneath, which then would swell up. I cut it so it was about an inch longer in both directions than the actual floor, then I made a small diagonal slit at each corner so the material could run up the wall a bit. It is easy to cut with sharp, heavy-duty scissors or kitchen shears. Liquids are kept nicely on the vinyl now.

    The only downside is that the stuff has to offgas for a few days before you install it. I put it outside where it would get direct sunlight during the day, which helped speed up the process.

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  15. #10
    Registered User FractalVision's Avatar
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    Re: Vivarium Leaking

    Thank you for this! This is the sort of thing that I meant.
    I live in the UK, but I'm sure I must be able to find something similar in a hardware store.
    I think I will re-seal the viv, and then put something like this for double protection and peace of mind.

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