Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I experimented with some plaster, with the goal in mind to making a non-particulate substrate for desert snakes and lizards that can be wiped clean. Somebody asked this question awhile back here, and I'm here to tell you that dried plaster works very well with a UTH. It conducted the heat wonderfully in the chunk I experiemnted with.

Anyone have any ideas what to seal it with? I tried some non-toxic acrylic paint from a hobby store. Looks great, but I really need some kind of clear coat over that. Tried a dab of waterbased poly on one end. Seems OK. Just looking for more ideas. Thanks.
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Mark

I would look for a high end stone or grout sealer. Shop at a high end stone or tile store, not Home Depot. They can sell you what is the best product and what has the most matte finish.

If you are going to make more of this I would also add an acrylic fortifier when you mix up the next batch. If you need more plaster, I believe there are types made for high moisture areas. Not that a cage for a desert snake or lizard will be high moisture but I do believe that it will make for a more durable and easier to clean substrate. Or at least I assume it will.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)