Epoxy

[Valamor]

I used Epoxy in my GTP cage but soon after found out it's toxic to a snake and has VOC's and such.. I have the cage sitting out in the garage and my GTP in a temporary cage, what do I do about the cage with the Epoxy. I used the Epoxy to glue GTP perches onto the side of the glass, the epoxy was instant mix glue. Can I treat the Epoxy or do I let it air out for a while? Any help much appreciated

[JoshSloane]

After it is cured, and off gasses it really shouldn't be toxic to the animal, unless the snake finds some way to ingest it I wouldn't think that an epoxy could leach much into a humid environment, after all, certain epoxies are used to seal tubs and such. If you are worried about it you can go over it with a coat of drylok. When dried it is tough as nails, 100% water tight and non-toxic.

[Darkbird]

Another thing you can do is close the cage for an hour or two, then stick your head in and smell. Odds are if you don't smell any fumes then your good to go. You should also be able to go online and find the MSDS for the product in question. But yes, most epoxies should be fine once fully cured. You could also just use aquarium grade silicone in the future.

[JoshSloane]

Let it air out a couple days and you will be fine. I bet it is even ok right now. If you are worried silicone or dylok over the glued pieces.

People make way too big a deal out of VOCs in reptile habitats. Unless you fully seal an animal into an airtight enclosure immediately after using a heavy amount of a glue product, there shouldn't be any acute issues. Toxicologically VOCs mainly elicit an effect with chronic exposures.

[FranklinMorphs]

Epoxy uses an Exothermic chemical reaction to cure, you can expedite the curing by adding heat as well. If you have a CHE you can set over the tank to increase the temperature over 100F, it will decrease cure time by about a third, depending on the epoxy type. Once it's fully cured you will be fine, the snake can even lick the epoxy with no ill effect, just so long as it doesn't eat a chunk of it. Read your Epoxy tube carefully, it will list a few times on it. Typically at least two. One will be the work time, typically 1-30 minutes. The second will be the cure time, this is more typically 1-10days and it should list a temperature, if it does not, then assume that time is based on the "standard" 77F room temperature. Warmer will speed up the cure, cooler will slow it down. I've regularly used an oven at 300F or higher to fully cure epoxy MUCH quicker.