Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone PLEASE tell me where to find black, brown, grey, or any silicone other than white or clear that does NOT have bioseal in it? Most people say not to use silicone that has Bioseal or any equivalent product in it (although I have found a ton of people who use it with bioseal, especially Europeans, who have been doing this longer than us Americans), but I cannot find silicone in any color other than clear or white that doesn't have some type of mildew inhibitor in it.

Thanks,
Ronnie Nocera

I don't the specs of them but have you looked at the gasket forming stuff used for autos? Usually called "Black RTV Silicone." It also comes in blue, orange, red. Loctite and Permatex are the two manufacturers that I can think of at the moment.

The stuff does have a strong odor and may very well be harmful, so please make sure before you use it, I'm not saying it's safe, by any means.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

"I don't know the specs of them..."

I left out the word "know." Sorry!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

I found two places selling aquarium safe black silicone in the states. If you're located in or willing to ship from the UK there are many more. For the first link scroll down and you'll find black silicone. I think it's the second item.

Aquatichouse.com

Ebay
-----
Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

That stuff is really expensive . . . Maybe I'm confused as to what people are using in building vivaria with backgrounds?

I'm talking the background where people use . . whatever background, then smear on silicone & pack co-co fibers into it.

Black silicone is what they use. I know I've read on aquarium sites about how to find it cheaper and in bulk but I'm not sure where.

If I were you I'd at least go to a hardware store and pick up a small bottle of acrylic bonding additive for concrete. Like I've mentioned before, it sounds like Europeans just mix that and coco husk and/or ground peat into a slurry and then spread it over foam. I was unable to find a link or recipe for you, IIRC, but I think it's just a matter of trial and error.

I understand you can also mix in calcium carbonate dust (available from pool companies for filters) to make a rock-like finish. I imagine granite dust would also work and should be cheap or free from fabricators.

Like I said, buy a gallon and experiment.

I know ACE makes one. Here are some others as well. You'll have to cut and paste as I don't have the time right now to put in all the url tags.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1272368

http://www.doityourself.com/invt/0991299

http://www.doityourself.com/invt/1690031

http://www.wallfirma.com/web-content_sd/Pages/BondLiquid.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/Acrylic-additive-bonding-agent-concrete-deck-1-gallon_W0QQitemZ4465928157QQcmdZViewItem
-----
Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Another option is to paint that acrylic bonding stuff onto foam and then sprinkle granite or calcium carbonate dust onto it while it dries.

Yet another option is to sprinkle the powdered concrete dye onto it.

I read a lot about this stuff on European sites. I'm thinking the reason why I did not bookmark the sites, other than the obvious translation issues, was because it sounded like nobody really used any sort of strict recipe but rather just mixed something up and globbed it on. I do really wish I had bookmarked one of the sites as it was some Canadian or British keeper who was fluent in Dutch who discussed how the stuff is used.
-----
Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

http://www.geadvancedmaterials.com/geam/gesa/Residential/en/Products/ProductDetail/gesiliconeiiwindowanddoor.html

Almost all the big box stores carry it, buy it on sale its expensive.

Good Luck
-----
Jeremy

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

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

Bioseal, a mildew & mold inhibitor. Is that not toxic? It says right on the tube that continued exposure can cause all sorts of problems.

>>Bioseal, a mildew & mold inhibitor. Is that not toxic? It says right on the tube that continued exposure can cause all sorts of problems.

Terrarium Guys have been using GE II for years, according to the MSDS the only hazard associated with the product after its cured is ingestion. Which can cause nervous system and gastrointestional irritation, but I doubt you will be feeding it to the animals.

The warning associated to the label is for the uncured product.

I see no danger in using this product in a terrarium, used alone or imbedded with substrate this product forms a durable long lasting background that can be used for years.

Look at the MSDS for some of the other chemicals your other cage decorations have, for worse.

My only warning is I would avoid contact with the GE II product and toluene.

Best of Luck
-----
Jeremy

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

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

Thanks for the help!

I did find, for anyone wondering, that GE still makes Silicone I in black, without any type of mildew inhibitor. It's just that no stores carry it.

>>Thanks for the help!
>>
>>I did find, for anyone wondering, that GE still makes Silicone I in black, without any type of mildew inhibitor. It's just that no stores carry it.

The mildew inhibitor won't harm the reptile after curing, hobbists have used it with Dart Frogs for years. There are more things in your home that are toxic than GE II.

Don't be paranoid!

Cheers