Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys! Just got a sweet deal on a huge hand-made terrarium. It needs some tlc and stuff, but boy, my gang's gonna love it!

My question...how do I waterproof the inside safely? I know they have spray stuff, but is that toxic?

Thanks!
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1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

why would you water proof it?

Because I have females who breed and I add water to their sand so they can lay their eggs.

>>why would you water proof it?
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1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

vinyl shelf liner (Mat tack?) and seal the seams with an aquarium safe sealant would work. Or just use an egg laying container filled with sand when your females are close to egg laying.

Really hard to say what would be best to use to seal it when don't know what the cage looks like, or what wood was used. Is it bare plywood? Particle board?

Any wood sealer will do designed for indoor use. You just have to let it completely cure and air out before introducing the dragons.
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PHLdyPayne

The shelves,bottom, and back are particle board. The frame is oak. They do have what looks like linoleum (might be that mat tack...I dunno) covering the bottom and basking shelf, but it's not stuck down. We could stick it, but I also want the bottom 3-4 inches of the walls waterproofed too, since they dig lots! So I guess buy more vinyl stuff? And aquarium safe sealer...it'll say that on the tube?

Here's a pic, doesn't do it justice tho...it's "squashed." It's much wider than it looks!

Thanks, PHLdy!

>>vinyl shelf liner (Mat tack?) and seal the seams with an aquarium safe sealant would work. Or just use an egg laying container filled with sand when your females are close to egg laying.
>>
>>Really hard to say what would be best to use to seal it when don't know what the cage looks like, or what wood was used. Is it bare plywood? Particle board?
>>
>>Any wood sealer will do designed for indoor use. You just have to let it completely cure and air out before introducing the dragons.
>>-----
>>PHLdyPayne
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1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

I never remember what link to copy in photobucket!

>>The shelves,bottom, and back are particle board. The frame is oak. They do have what looks like linoleum (might be that mat tack...I dunno) covering the bottom and basking shelf, but it's not stuck down. We could stick it, but I also want the bottom 3-4 inches of the walls waterproofed too, since they dig lots! So I guess buy more vinyl stuff? And aquarium safe sealer...it'll say that on the tube?
>>
>>Here's a pic, doesn't do it justice tho...it's "squashed." It's much wider than it looks!
>>
>>
>>Thanks, PHLdy!
>>
>>>>vinyl shelf liner (Mat tack?) and seal the seams with an aquarium safe sealant would work. Or just use an egg laying container filled with sand when your females are close to egg laying.
>>>>
>>>>Really hard to say what would be best to use to seal it when don't know what the cage looks like, or what wood was used. Is it bare plywood? Particle board?
>>>>
>>>>Any wood sealer will do designed for indoor use. You just have to let it completely cure and air out before introducing the dragons.
>>>>-----
>>>>PHLdyPayne
>>-----
>>1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
>>0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
>>1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
>>2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5
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1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

sounds like they have non stick shelf liner...That wire mesh though...tempted to just say take it off and replace with aluminum screening like you would use for windows.

what are the dimensions of the cage? Looks like two cages in one...but if it looks narrow in the picture more than it is in real life...should be ok

Any reason why you can't just have a egg laying container in instead of sealing the entire floor? Adding too much wet sand inside the cage may raise humidity too high.

The sticking vinyl mack tack is probably the best and cheapest way to seal it...it won't be super sealed, as the vinyl stuff is rather thin, though the plain clear stuff may come in a thicker grade than the vinyl mac tack I bought recently. Pool liner may be better, as its thicker and more durable. Not sure on the cost of this by the yard so may end up costing more than just putting a few layers of the vinyl or buying non porous linoleum.

The aquarium sealer will have to be bought at an aquarium supply store, or pet store. I don't' think the local home improve store will carry it.
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PHLdyPayne

Way ahead of you with the mesh top doors. We're going to replace that with plexi-glass.

It's about 4 ft wide and 5 feet tall, and yes it's 2 different cages in one.

As far as waterproofing and the need not to, thanks for the advise, but without telling you my life story...believe me when I say I need to do this.

Thanks for all your help!

>>sounds like they have non stick shelf liner...That wire mesh though...tempted to just say take it off and replace with aluminum screening like you would use for windows.
>>
>>what are the dimensions of the cage? Looks like two cages in one...but if it looks narrow in the picture more than it is in real life...should be ok
>>
>>Any reason why you can't just have a egg laying container in instead of sealing the entire floor? Adding too much wet sand inside the cage may raise humidity too high.
>>
>>The sticking vinyl mack tack is probably the best and cheapest way to seal it...it won't be super sealed, as the vinyl stuff is rather thin, though the plain clear stuff may come in a thicker grade than the vinyl mac tack I bought recently. Pool liner may be better, as its thicker and more durable. Not sure on the cost of this by the yard so may end up costing more than just putting a few layers of the vinyl or buying non porous linoleum.
>>
>>The aquarium sealer will have to be bought at an aquarium supply store, or pet store. I don't' think the local home improve store will carry it.
>>-----
>>PHLdyPayne
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1.2.1 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& baby Abby or Gibbs!
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5