Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, is concrete safe to use for making ledges and rocks after it has cured without sealing it with anything? Thanks

>>Hi, is concrete safe to use for making ledges and rocks after it has cured without sealing it with anything?

IMO concrete is safe and literally inert when cured, however concrete is porous.

With that in mind it would be better if sealed to prevent stains and ease cleaning.

Good Luck
-----
Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

The problem with leaving concreate unsealed is that it will sluff away over time and create a dust which can cause problems. I recommend sealing it.
-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

one thinks

while yeah many items of concrete are inert matter the re are several that when not sealed leach and are caustic ( lime for one ) hense the fact many bodies and dead things are covered with lime lol ( see mafia history) lol

Iwuld definately seal the surface very well , If you have ever seen new masonry work and see that caustic white water wash from ortar mix .. the dame leaches from conrete when its wet. much safer to use a good sealer onit or natural grout sealer for tile grouting , the have some 'green products now for sealing tile gorut thats envir safe and friendly

Conservationists!! lol j/k
-----
Builder of Professional Reptile Enclosures ,Plastic caging , Standard & Professional Breeder Rack Systems
junglehabitatsplastics.com/

Could a person use a 2 part epoxy sealer like Glaze Coate to seal concrete?

I have heard of similar epoxies being used to seal faux rockwork, although I think it was plaster rather than concrete. I think the website I remember mentioned thinning the product with alcohol and dabbing it on with a brush, but I'm not 100% certain about that. The website no longer exists.

Regardless, I would give plenty of time for any lime to leach out. No sealer will stop that. It helps if you can flood the rockwork with water or at least keep it wet for a couple of weeks.

And since the epoxy is expensive, you might consider a flood coat of something cheaper, like an acrylic grout sealer.
-----
Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)