Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After completing a fake rock backround using tile grout on styrofoam there is a toxic smell that fills the room the cage is in. Is there any thing I can spray or paint onto the grout that will stop this smell.
Thanks, Erik

Toxic smell? All you used was polystyrene or was it the foam spray? and grout? The foam spray will have a smell & be toxic until it cures. The grout shouldn't have any smell. Did you use grout sealer? What type did you use. I have done several fake rock set up & have never had the problems you are experiencing.

Yes, I used polystyrene but the tile grout was pre mixed and very goopy and thick. It aired out in my garage for 3 weeks and but after moving it to my room its smell filled it in no time. It never fully dried and was still sticky to the touch. I actually took out the backround and started from scratch this time using a powdered grout that can be mixed with water so it should be thinner, and dry better therefore smelling less. Which works better the powdered grout that you add water to or pre mixed stuff?

I use the powdered (with sand in it already). I buy the big 50 lb bag of cheap gray grout at home depot. Costs about $10 & works like a charm. Thin layers dry within 24-48 hours, thicker layers may take a little longer. I never had the "smell", so I guess that was because of the premixed grout.