Hi guys, I'm looking to make some backgrounds and perches for a terrarium, but am left scratching my head over which kinds of silicone sealants will be most harmless for frogs once cured. Aquarium-makers I've asked here have pointed me in the direction of Do It Yourself stores, where options are limited. As veteran terrarium-builders will know, there are two types of cure available - acetoxy and neutral. The former uses acetic acid to aid the curing (this is the one that smells like vinegar) while the latter uses moisture in the air to aid curing (and gives off less of a smell).
Anyway, is there a consensus - or better yet, hard evidence - on which is better? The sealants I'm thinking about would be without any additional mould inhibitors or the like; I'm just wondering if one of the cures results in a less toxic finish than the other.
I should add that I did make a few perches for a previous terrarium with neutral-cure silicone, and while the frogs don't hang out on them often (preferring branches and leaves), I have seen the guys sitting on them at times.
Thanks for bearing with me through the long-winded question!
after curing, they are pretty much the same. it all depends on your availability and how much you like having working lungs. lol
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
Do not use any silicone glue with mold inhibitors. If it states it's safe for aquariums; that is the good one, irrelevant of smell while curing. Always use breathing protection and work in a ventilated area while using chemicals .
Remember to take care of the enclosure and it will take care of your frog !
Thanks for the replies! I don't think I've seen anything here that specifically states "aquarium safe". The stores I've visited where tanks are made or repaired just use general glazing sealant, albeit acetoxy cure. The only reason I'd prefer the neutral cure is that it comes in a wider range of colours. I'll poke around a little more and see if I can dig up something more specifically safe.
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