Waterproof Sealant

[vear]

Hello everyone, so, Leiah is getting huge and she barely fits in her hides so it's time to upgrade to new ones.

I recently started working on a new foam+grout project. I'm wondering what sealant you guys use that is waterproof and safe for the gecko at the same time?? I'd been using mod podge, but I'd like to use something I can actually wash. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chosen010]

I was debating with myself this same issue yesterday at home depot. What I've read has been to use an acrylic sealant. My first setup I used PolyAcrylic by MinWax. Water based, so it cleans up easily. I was looking at polyurethane (i think) yesterday but I didn't buy b/c I wanted to do some research on how safe it was. PolyAcrylic is almost twice as expensive as polyurethane sealant. Polyurethane is oil based, so it wont' clean up so easy but I'd guess you could wash it without issue.

The question is, is it safe for your leo?

Perhaps someone else here can shed some light on that.

 

[Franklinj480]

I've used mod podge for all my hides and backgrounds, I let my items sit outside in the Arizona dry heat for 3 days before I bring them inside for gecko use. They lick the new items and have been using them fine for a few months. I haven't had issues with washing, I wipe it down with dilute vinegar solution, let it dry then rinse it off with cold water. I let everything dry before putting it back, I haven't had any issues with it degrading.

 

[Thorgecko707]

For waterproofing I was successful with a new spray plastic dip. Like spray paint but it's rubber. Worked awesome. So durable I ruined some things around my shop as well.

 

[M_surinamensis]

Polyurethane is perfectly safe for use in terrariums, as long as it is allowed to cure in a well ventilated area prior to use. It's worth noting that UV radiation will very slowly degrade polyurethane over time, but the intensity of even the best bulbs is low enough to make that a lengthy process. If you use a coating of about one sixteenth of an inch you've usually got at least three-five years use out of it under high intensity mercury vapor lamps before you will even begin to notice an issue. The lamps used for mini-reefs would degrade it a little quicker, the florescent tubes would take a little longer. Easily corrected with re-application on a periodic basis.

 

[TokayKeeper]

http://www.afmsafecoat.com/products.php?page=2

AFM Safecoat is a green, non-toxic product. I've not tried it yet (do have a bottle of it though), but it will be used on an Oceanic Systems 70 gallon Lizard Lounge that I'm using non-toxic sanded grout on. I purchased their grout sealer; it's suppose to not have a glossy finish when dry.

 

[vear]

Great! Thanks a lot everybody, you've been really helpful.