JuniorC
Avid Member
Can you explain what you mean by sealing? I wouldn't be able to leave it as is after molding it? Never used it so every word of advice i can get helps
Bioactive Mentor
- Thread starter Brodybreaux25
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cyberlocc
Chameleon Enthusiast
Ya no its foam, its porous the water would just soak into it.
JuniorC
Avid Member
Oooooh ok that makes more sense. Man... What to use now lol well thanks for the heads up
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
My bad, I misunderstood your question.
floor is solid wood with drainage channels carved into it. Then install the drain, then 3 coats of FlexSeal to waterproof everything. Then installed the soil box with the SS mesh laid out to prevent the soil from washing out of the drain.
JuniorC
Avid Member
Oooooooooh gotcha! That project was a beauty. I'm looking to start one soon on a dispaly case I purchased, my problem is figuring out a material I can use for the floorboard to make the water flow towards the center. But I can do a wood base and carve like you did and throw a couple layers of water sealant. I'm not good at coming up with ideas lol
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
Everything you need is in this thread somewhere, if not feel free to PM.
you’ll need a router to carve channels like I did.
you’ll need a router to carve channels like I did.
JuniorC
Avid Member
Thanks will do.
Most of us just slather silicone on and stick the peat moss to the wet silicone. If I were doing it again now I might try the same with flex seal, not sure if this has been tried or how well it would work, but it seems to me like it would work fine.
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Make sure you use silicone I, the kind that does not have mold inhibitors in it. Mold inhibitors can be toxic to our pets.
also, after the foam dries you have to rough the smooth surface off before you apply silicone. It won’t stick if you don’t, and it will be awkward looking. I used an angle grinder to shape mine.
I followed @Brodybreaux25 build thread to learn on my build, but I did my walls a little different than his. Here is my thread if you’re interested in checking out how I did the foam/silicone backboard.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...chameleon-step-dad.172710/page-3#post-1540280
also, after the foam dries you have to rough the smooth surface off before you apply silicone. It won’t stick if you don’t, and it will be awkward looking. I used an angle grinder to shape mine.
I followed @Brodybreaux25 build thread to learn on my build, but I did my walls a little different than his. Here is my thread if you’re interested in checking out how I did the foam/silicone backboard.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...chameleon-step-dad.172710/page-3#post-1540280
JuniorC
Avid Member
That is toooo cool! Awesome job wow lol can I ask which silicon you used? And would a coat of flexseal spray work?
Thank you. Wouldn’t have been able to do it without the wealth of knowledge I found here.
The flex seal in the aerosol can is NOT non-toxic. Only use the liquid version which just goes on like a really thick paint. I used GE silicone I multi purpose. Some of the big box stores carry it. It’s the only one that doesn’t say “resist mold” or “mold/mildew guarantee” or something along those lines. I’m not sure about chameleon enclosures, but in aquariums the mold inhibitors can be very toxic, so I wouldn’t take the unnecessary risk with these enclosures either.
JuniorC
Avid Member
Yeah I have an idea now thanks for the help you'll be hearing from me again lol
JuniorC
Avid Member
That's what I was looking into next lol so once I apply the silicone to the foam I just spread out the eco earth and let it dry?
I was under the impression that coconut fiber is not good for Chams if they accidentally ingest it when grabbing food.
JuniorC
Avid Member
I would be using a feeder cup. But good question, they wouldn't be tempeted to eat it or lick it off the corners if it's on the foam stuff? I see everyone does it so guessing it shouldn't be an issue?
cyberlocc
Chameleon Enthusiast
It's not any better or worse than peat moss.
Different types of coconut fiber. There is the coconut fiber liner, where they could eat big pieces, strands if you will. Ecoearth is powder, so they will pass it just like Peat Moss.
The ideal with the background is it shouldn't come off, if a little does, they should be able to pass it just fine. Peat Moss, will rot and decay and mold alot more than Eco Earth will, and much much faster. Meaning you will have to redo the wall sooner.
Whatever you use, do it in small areas so you can get it on the silicone before it starts to form any skin, which can happen rather quickly. I did find I had some small areas where the moss didn’t want to adhere very well. It really needs to be pressed into a liberally applied and very wet bed of whatever adhesive/sealant you use.
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
This could be said about literally anything in the viv
