Non toxic sealants, foam, and silicone.?!?!?!??!

[Jaycesickchild]

Hey everyone. I was doing some research in building a background for the wall behind my chameleon's free range and I decided to go for it!

I just want to check that everything will be non toxic and there has been a lot of controversy on what silicone is non toxic. Some say GE Silicone 1 Others say GE silicone 2. If anyone here knows for sure PLEASE let me know!!.

For the expanding foam I will use great stuff, but as for the sealant I don't know yet. if anyone knows and good nontoxic sealant that are reptile friendly that would be great if not I will just use the silicone.

Thank for your time everyone. I'll be sure to post the pics once its done and will also be making some DIY vines out of the stuff.

 

[Jaycesickchild]

Also found another silicone called eco- bond. but again not sure and want to double check that it will be safe.

If anyone has any other materials they used on a background please include them it would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

[ShadowFire]

I have always used 100% silicone anytime I make any sort of background. According to the tube it is indeed GE II for doors and windows. I have never had any problems with the various backgrounds I've done this way, be it my Red Eyed Tree Frogs 55 gallon terrarium, my Cal. King setup, or the numerous fish tanks my father and I have done. I have not used it with chameleons, but I would imagine as long as you allow it to fully cure (perhaps for several days just to be on the safe side) there should be no problem. If you are feeling extra paranoid then wash the background several times after it has fully cured. I choose black silicone for a few reasons, it does not discolor under Uv lighting and I spray paint the back of my tanks black to help hide any gaps I may have missed. I think the biggest thing you want to make sure of is that it is 100% silicone and has no mold inhibitors, ect added. Also try to make sure that your chameleon or any prey items cannot ingest the silicone.
Again, this is just my experience, I am by no means an expert or professional background builder. Sorry, I know you were looking for a definitive answer, but hopefully this has helped more than it has added to the confusion.

 

[NachoTacular519]

+1 for GE II black (for screen doors) and I think the Great Stuff that is general used is the red or black can. I think the more it expands the better it cures out but not sure exactly why these two are used. I know the blue for windows and things is not used.

 

[Jaycesickchild]

Thanks guys!!! But I heard the silicone 2 has moldicide called "bioseal" and that the silicone 1 does not. Any input would b great. Also planning to make some vines and coat them in the silicone . Does that sound ok? I've never heard of people making vines out of the stuff but I'm willing to give it a try.

 

[ShadowFire]

I've read discussions where some people say use II and others say I (or use neither and go with approved aquarium sealant). Like many things, it may just come down to personal preference or experience. I just read my GE II tube, and saw no mention of bioseal, not to say it couldn't be in there, but it wasn't listed. It does however mention that the product is not to be used below a water line, such as in aquariums. My guess is that is because of legal reasons, it is not marketed as an aquarium sealant. They don't want to be sued, understandably. As I stated before, I've used it in aquariums and terrariums for backgrounds with no problems. My tree frog's background is lava rock siliconed in place with GE II black, and after several years I have experienced zero problems. If amphibians, whose skin is so absorbent and sensitive can live just fine with it, its safe in my book. The tube does state that during the curing process methanol and ammonia are released, so again I stress that if you do choose to use it, give it plenty of time to cure and air out.
As far as coating vines, branches, ect. I'm not so sure. I would think it is acceptable (once fully cured of course), but I have never tried it. Possible dangers I could see would be accidental ingestion, feeders chewing on it, release of fumes if not properly cured, ect. If you do decide to make vines and such, I would try to cover all of the silicone with something such as clean, dry coconut husk fiber. Anything to help prevent or reduce direct exposure to the product.
So this is all just my two cents. I do believe that to an extent, some animals even of the same species can be more tolerant of certain things than others. My animals have been fine with GE II but that is just my experience. I would hate to tell you "yes go for it, it is 100% safe" and you end up loosing an animal. Based on previous uses, I will continue to use it. If I ever suspect a problem with it however, I will most certainly take a step back and reevaluate. I hope this helped.

 

[NachoTacular519]

I'm also not 100% sure on the moldicide but the original DIY's I had read on it said the GEII did not contain whereas the I did. IMO if you are looking at getting nice vines nothing beats natural grapevine. I'm actually planning on harvesting some soon myself I just feel funny walking around the city with an armful of vines lol. Point being that its free and all you need is some silicon to put it in place after making it the proper side. Cheap and better looking than a cheap out DIY(not to say I haven't seen some amazing jobs).

This guys stuff makes me drool first then get creative thoughts. Its a dart forum but you get the idea.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/81008-horizontal-viv.html