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Thread: Silicone odor

  1. #1
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Silicone odor

    Hey guys!

    So I'm pretty much finished with my vivarium, but have run into an issue. My set up is part land, part water, using foam and silicone to seal everything off. I did my last round of silicone application about a week ago, yet the vinegar smell is still there.

    Has anyone had this experience? The cure time is supposed to be 24-48 hours. I've tried blow drying (a tip from the web) and setting outside--but the smell remains.

    I'm really concerned about housing my guys into the enclosure being that there is an odor still.

    Any tips or shared experiences will be greatly appreciated!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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  3. #2
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    I would suggest opening everything up , put a fan on it.... facing the open doors.
    Let is run for hours....
    It will take up to a week ? depending on the thickness of both the foam and silicone.

    These are both very commonly used products. My suggestions come from reading, reading, reading, and other posts.
    I do not use silicone ( I have only used aquarium sealant of which is really smelly ! ) ; nor have I personally used foam, so I'm not exactly sure of the complete cure times for either.

    Give it the sniff test ( really close) in a few more days.
    You are right, you should be concerned ...be sure it is completely cured and odor free.

    A completed tank ( substrate , plants ect ) should cycle prior to adding inhabitants.
    This will give you an opportunity to work out any kinks.
    If it is going to have live plants ...the wait will give the plants time to acclimate.

    There is no reason you can't acquire you frogs, however .... as the frogs should be in QT ( quarantine ) setting for a minimum of 30 days. I typically use 10 gallon tank ( depending on the species) for this with the basics needs for the frog.
    http://www.frogforum.net/general-dis...uarantine.html

    This will help you 'get to know' your forg(s) and keep a close eye on there health, there food intake, their poop, ... this will get you and your frogs off to a great, healthy start.

    If you used 'vinegar' to clean with, simply douse it with distilled water many times to rinse completely.

    Perhaps someone has more tips
    Thoughts anyone ?

    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
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  5. #3
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    Tenny,

    Lynn is absolutely right. Your Silicone and foam just need to cure more. Once they are both fully cured the smell will go away. The cure time will carry depending on how thickly the Foam or Silicone was applied. The foam especially will take a ling time to cure if it was applied thicker than 3".

    Lynns recommendations are all you can do. Put a fan on it and keep the tank open to let it air out. You know when you are ready to add frogs when you can put your head into the tank and don't smell any more of the "vinegar smell".
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Blue Jeans' (2014 Nicaragua Import)
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Chirique Grande' F1
    1.1.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Citronella'
    1.2.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Azureus'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'Sipaliwini'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'New River'
    0.0.4 - D. Tinctorius 'Leucomelas'
    0.0.4 - Terribilis 'Mint'
    1.1.0 - R. Ventrimaculatus 'French Guiana'

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hashtagfrogs
    Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgC...sEZiZQoT8sOuuw

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  7. #4

    Default Silicone odor

    Depending on the brand and how heavy an application, the smell could last up to a week, but over a week sounds a bit excessive. It only really takes about 24 hours for silicone to cure and lose the smell. How strong is the smell currently?


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

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  9. #5
    Moderator LilyPad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    I used a fan on my tank that I just finished over the weekend. It only took 24 hours before the vinegar smell was completely gone. Then again, I had no great stuff in there and the silicone wasn't especially thick anywhere. I personally would not use any heat to try to dry it out in case of warping. I would guess, if you did multiple layers of silicone and the layers underneath were not fully cured before adding the next layer, it's probably going to take a bit of time for the moisture to work its way out.
    2.0.3 Hyla versicolor "Eastern Gray Tree Frogs"
    2.2.0 Agalychnis callidryas "Red Eyed Tree Frogs"

    0.0.3 Dendrobates auratus "Turquoise and Bronze"
    0.0.1 Anaxyrus fowleri "Fowler's Toad"



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  11. #6
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Silicone odor

    Thanks so much guys! It's really nice that I can get input from other people The silicone is layered on pretty thick in most places because when I did my water test, the water was going through small holes in the foam. I'll continue waiting and cross my fingers that the smell goes away!

    Fortunately, I applied the foam about 8 or 9 months ago, so I know that part is cured--now I am just waiting on the silicone. I've had my frogs for a while now, they are in a separate enclosure for now

    I'm also wondering if I ruined everything by doing the water test BEFORE the smell was gone... Any thoughts?

    This whole process is such trial and error, actually a lot of error, but I'm really loving the process


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  12. #7
    Moderator LilyPad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    If you dried it and sealed it again after the leaks, you shouldn't have a problem. If it's really not working after a few more days, you could try scraping it out with a razor blade and starting over. It's a pain and will take up more time, but worth it in the end if you get a good seal and clean lines. I usually use a gloved finger to press the sealant in, but there are tools to help with it too.
    2.0.3 Hyla versicolor "Eastern Gray Tree Frogs"
    2.2.0 Agalychnis callidryas "Red Eyed Tree Frogs"

    0.0.3 Dendrobates auratus "Turquoise and Bronze"
    0.0.1 Anaxyrus fowleri "Fowler's Toad"



  13. #8

    Default Silicone odor

    I hate to be the bearer of bad news (seems like I always am..lol), but if you siliconed i. The divider and it leaked, then you added more silicone on top of that to seal the leak, then you need to follow Amy's instructions above. Scrape it all off and start from scratch. Silicone will bond to almost anything EXCEPT silicone. It's not a matter of IF it will leak again, but a matter of WHEN. Eventually the water will work it's way out from under the new silicone.


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  14. #9
    Moderator LilyPad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    Good to know Bill. I've yet to have a leak *knock on wood* but assumed it could just be "plugged" with more silicone.
    2.0.3 Hyla versicolor "Eastern Gray Tree Frogs"
    2.2.0 Agalychnis callidryas "Red Eyed Tree Frogs"

    0.0.3 Dendrobates auratus "Turquoise and Bronze"
    0.0.1 Anaxyrus fowleri "Fowler's Toad"



  15. #10

    Default Silicone odor

    No problem. Always happy to help sadly, the misconception when there's a leak, is to add more and more silicone. And then folks can't figure out why they went through a full tube of silicone and still have a leak. You folks should really read some of my threads, they really have small tidbits of info, like this lol


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  16. #11
    Moderator LilyPad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    I'm trying! Not sure if I can catch up on 4,032 posts But I'll keep asking questions and reading your threads from here on! I admire your patience for helping all of us inexperienced viv builders...even after saying the same thing 100 times to 100 different people.
    2.0.3 Hyla versicolor "Eastern Gray Tree Frogs"
    2.2.0 Agalychnis callidryas "Red Eyed Tree Frogs"

    0.0.3 Dendrobates auratus "Turquoise and Bronze"
    0.0.1 Anaxyrus fowleri "Fowler's Toad"



  17. #12

    Default Silicone odor

    Ahhh, it's no biggie. I've been married 22 years and raised 3 kids, so even though repeating myself is a pet peeve of mine, I'm used to it!! Lmao!!


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  18. #13
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Silicone odor

    Sorry to respond so late, I've been very busy with my summer courses. Thanks so much for the advice! Everything is so helpful!

    I'm not necessarily siliconing a divider--I guess I should've been more specific. I pretty much have an island made of expanding foam. I siliconed the whole island. Because the foam has natural little holes in it, when I did my water test, the water leaked into the island and filled the pot-like holes with water. The second time around, I let everything dry out, then went back with a flashlight so I could then see the holes that weren't properly covered with silicone. I then layered it on again pretty thick. I'm hoping that it will hold, but I'm so nervous to do my second water test!!!

    I've left the enclosure outside for a few days to ensure that it's getting proper air flow. The odor has gone down quite a bit, but still remains.

    Quote Originally Posted by deranged chipmunk View Post
    I hate to be the bearer of bad news (seems like I always am..lol), but if you siliconed i. The divider and it leaked, then you added more silicone on top of that to seal the leak, then you need to follow Amy's instructions above. Scrape it all off and start from scratch. Silicone will bond to almost anything EXCEPT silicone. It's not a matter of IF it will leak again, but a matter of WHEN. Eventually the water will work it's way out from under the new silicone.


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  19. #14

    Default Re: Silicone odor

    Quote Originally Posted by TeenyToad View Post
    I'm also wondering if I ruined everything by doing the water test BEFORE the smell was gone... Any thoughts?
    That's no problem- I do water tests 24 hours after putting a tank together.

    Bill speaketh the truth about lack of silicone on silicone sticking action- a picture might clear up what you're trying to do but after over a week just face your fear and do the second water test:P.

  20. #15

    Default Silicone odor

    Quote Originally Posted by TeenyToad View Post
    Sorry to respond so late, I've been very busy with my summer courses. Thanks so much for the advice! Everything is so helpful!

    I'm not necessarily siliconing a divider--I guess I should've been more specific. I pretty much have an island made of expanding foam. I siliconed the whole island. Because the foam has natural little holes in it, when I did my water test, the water leaked into the island and filled the pot-like holes with water. The second time around, I let everything dry out, then went back with a flashlight so I could then see the holes that weren't properly covered with silicone. I then layered it on again pretty thick. I'm hoping that it will hold, but I'm so nervous to do my second water test!!!

    I've left the enclosure outside for a few days to ensure that it's getting proper air flow. The odor has gone down quite a bit, but still remains.






    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Ok, now I think I may be seeing why it still smells. The silicone that got into the nook and crannies of the foam probably wasn't fully cured when you added more silicone onto it. Without the proper airflow to it, there's no real way to know how long it will take to cure completely.




    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  21. #16
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Silicone odor

    Bad news, I did my second water test after re siliconing, and there's another VERY small leak. I guess my only option is to re silicone AGAIN to plug the leak. Any thoughts, Bill?


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  22. #17

    Default Silicone odor

    I do have one. And you are not gonna like it


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  23. #18
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    I am NOT tearing it down and starting over! No way, no how! I am determined 😈 I've located the leak to the exact spot this time, unlike last time. So hopefully that'll help me silicone it properly!
    Ugh, my DIY has gone from OMG to WTF! 😭

    Quote Originally Posted by deranged chipmunk View Post
    I do have one. And you are not gonna like it


    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

  24. #19
    100+ Post Member TeenyToad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Silicone odor

    Haha I originally put my D-I-Y has gone from O-M-G to W-T-F and it auto corrected to that! ��

  25. #20

    Default Silicone odor

    Ok. I have been giving this some thought while I was in "my office". Do both pots fill with water? Or just one? If they are getting wet, why not just utilize that instead of fighting it with some marginal plants. Some actually so flower of they like their spot. Here's a few pics for you to get an idea:
    Piptospatha rideyi 'bicolor' throwing a spathe (flower)


    Aglaonema minima (back) and aglaonema simplex (front)


    There is also another piptospatha in that pic to the left and a mantella photo bomb, just for the cuteness factor lol



    Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

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