Is latex paint safe to use for my situation?

[GrifTheGreat]

latex on the outside will work just fine, provided the work is done safely. i silicone in the same room (basement) that i keep all my animals in. i just ventilate well. i actually still had odor left over in my hisser tank when i added them, and they are fine. patience is not my virtue. ventilation is key.

i assume you are blacking out the tank? i used to paint my tanks, both aquariums and viv, but now i use black contact paper. 1 roll for $6 did my 75, my 60, a 55 and a 15. and, it's removable and can be used on another tank. best bang for the buck IMHO and you don't need to worry about any of your animals.

as far as latex and frogs, i get conflicting stuff on this. some forums say latex gloves are safe to handle frogs with, and others say no. i am quite positive Grif could shed some light on this one. but on the outside of the tank, it is 100% safe.

There is a lot of conflicting information on the proper gloves to use. I never take chances. Latex can severly irritate our skin and since theirs is much more sensitive than ours I don't feel their safe. I believe Neoprene is fine.

I'm not an expert on the whole rubber gloves usage since I myself prefer to use my bare hands cleaned, dried, and remoistened with dechlorinated water. Anyone who has recommended rubber gloves has recommened non-latex.

[GrifTheGreat]

is it's only going to be a few hours, why not cover the top of the roach tank with plastic wrap. it will keep any fumes out of it.

This could work.

[cyris69]

Then could I do that with the frog tank as well or would they suffocate? I don't mind transferring them but would rather save them the stress if not needed.

[SCF]

Then could I do that with the frog tank as well or would they suffocate? I don't mind transferring them but would rather save them the stress if not needed.

I would not take that chance. The fumes being more of a concern. The wrap will not be 100% air tight.

[deranged chipmunk]

There is a lot of conflicting information on the proper gloves to use. I never take chances. Latex can severly irritate our skin and since theirs is much more sensitive than ours I don't feel their safe. I believe Neoprene is fine.

I'm not an expert on the whole rubber gloves usage since I myself prefer to use my bare hands cleaned, dried, and remoistened with dechlorinated water. Anyone who has recommended rubber gloves has recommened non-latex.

thanks Grif, i wasn't sure. i use the clean moistened hand method myself and go by the rule of "if unsure, just don't do it"

[deranged chipmunk]

Then could I do that with the frog tank as well or would they suffocate? I don't mind transferring them but would rather save them the stress if not needed.

i would remove any frogs in the tank you are working on. just to be on the safe side. why take the chance. safest way would be the black contact paper i suggested, no fumes, no needing to move any animals. saves you AND your frogs a LOT of stress.

[cyris69]

Thanks everyone! I will go ahead and paint tomorrow. I will transfer the little ones into another tank and cover the painted tank to be with plastic wrap as well as the roach tank. It says completely dry in 2-4 hours, so should I wait longer than 4 before placing them back?

EDIT: Ok, I guess it would be easier/better to take the paper approach if they will let me return the paint, wonder if menards sells the construction/contact paper. Can you link me to some so I can an idea of what paper to get exactly since I don't think construction paper comes in rolls.

[SCF]

i would remove any frogs in the tank you are working on. just to be on the safe side. why take the chance. safest way would be the black contact paper i suggested, no fumes, no needing to move any animals. saves you AND your frogs a LOT of stress.

Do you have any pics of a tank with the contact paper? I think the paint would look better, but with all the safety concerns, doesn't seem worth it.

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks everyone! I will go ahead and paint tomorrow. I will transfer the little ones into another tank and cover the painted tank to be with plastic wrap as well as the roach tank. It says completely dry in 2-4 hours, so should I wait longer than 4 before placing them back?

only you will be able to answer that. if the paint is dry and no fumes, then they should be safe for a happy homecoming.

[cyris69]

I really want a permanent solution for the tank to be honest but I do not want to hurt my babies. I've used construction paper in the past and doesn't look that great especially for a display tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

Do you have any pics of a tank with the contact paper? I think the paint would look better, but with all the safety concerns, doesn't seem worth it.

bottom left is contact paper

[SCF]

That looks clean to me. Thanks Bill. Are you going to be on stand by, sleeping in your comp chair, waiting for forum pages/emergencies? You never know when a code 8 or a code 174 might happen.

[deranged chipmunk]

when seen through the tank. before :


after:


forgive the pics, they are a year or so old and i just started that particular tank. it's now a white's tree frog haven

[cyris69]

Well, Menards only has white/metallic contact paper which i've never of heard of but looks legit being as its adhesive and comes in 18" heights. However black at Home Depot is 33$+ per roll for black.

[deranged chipmunk]

That looks clean to me. Thanks Bill. Are you going to be on stand by, sleeping in your comp chair, waiting for forum pages/emergencies? You never know when a code 8 or a code 174 might happen.

no problem. i WAS working on a 6 foot dripwall when you guys rang...LOL i'm always but a pm away

[deranged chipmunk]

Well, Menards only has white/metallic contact paper which i've never of heard of but looks legit being as its adhesive and comes in 18" heights. However black at Home Depot is 33$+ per roll for black.

no way!! i bought mine at home depot. it's in the kitchen section, look for shelf paper

[cyris69]

Ok I found this, Con-Tact Solid Grip 48 in. x 18 in. Black Drawer/Shelf Liner for 6$

However I would like it to be adhesive for a cleaner tighter look.

[flybyferns]

I use vinyl gloves to handle my frogs. I ditched the latex after I went through a long illness / a black eyed tree frog????

I have painted the exterior of two tall tanks with acrylic latex base , glass paint.... while my frogs were in the tanks.
This occurred in the summer/in my basement/ with a fan on.
Neither paint job was associated with a problem w/ any of my tree frogs.
But (like Bill mentions )the I was working in area that was well ventilated, as well.
If you smell it ....... it simply means you will want to ventilate the area!

[deranged chipmunk]

i want to say this is the stuff i used, but not 100% sure. Premium Grip 120 in. x 18 in. Stone Shelf Liner-10F-C6Y3L-15VP at The Home Depot
it's one of those "i need to see it and have it in my hands items". walmart and kmart and target and all those places carry it as well.

[deranged chipmunk]

I use vinyl gloves to handle my frogs. I ditched the latex after I went through a long illness / a black eyed tree frog????

I have painted the exterior of two tall tanks with acrylic latex base , glass paint.... while my frogs were in the tanks.
This occurred in the summer/in my basement/ with a fan on.
Neither paint job was associated with a problem w/ any of my tree frogs.
But (like Bill mentions )the I was working in area that was well ventilated, as well.
If you smell it ....... it simply means you will want to ventilate the area!

there ya go. can't beat the words of experience