Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im building a melamine cage for one of my snakes, before the building process began, i researched and got all the information needed on building it. Now, for my question, some sites say to use caulk and others to use silicone on the bottom of the cage, which one is better?
Thanks for any input.
Miki
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-Miki

1.0 Ball Python (Python Regius)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria)
0.0.1 Sinaloan Milksnake (Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloae)
0.0.1 Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
0.0.1 Albino Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus)
1.0 Veiled Chameleon (Chamaleo Calyptratus)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus Imperator)

I use caulk...it comes in white which once you use it on the inside corners it gives the cage a real nice finished look.
I like it and will continue to use it

.

it depends on what you're using it for.
silicone is caulk. GE2 is the best for herp use unless
you're rich and can spen three times as much for the All-Glass brand fish tank silicone caulk gun sized tubes.

what are you using it for?

Im using it to seal the down corners and the joints from the sides to the bottom so if water spills it won't go through them.
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-Miki

1.0 Ball Python (Python Regius)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria)
0.0.1 Sinaloan Milksnake (Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloae)
0.0.1 Albino Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus)

are you building it with wood, glass or something else in this area?

for glass i'd suggest GE2 or aquarium silicone.

for wood, i suggest a good wood sealer, or epoxy resin. there are a lot of types so email me for more info.

i've built with plywood and then used a fiber glass - epoxy resin that i bought from Tap Plastics that worked well...but it was pricey. hope this helps.

Im gonna "bond" melamine
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-Miki

1.0 Ball Python (Python Regius)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria)
0.0.1 Sinaloan Milksnake (Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloae)
0.0.1 Albino Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus)

oh - then i'd seal it up with a fiberglass resin if you're working with snakes or amphibians. but if the cost isn't workable, then go with a good quality sealer then coat with silicone.

that material, melamine (sp) won't last too long so don't spend a lot on it.

Call Micheal at 866-874-8070 and ask him what he has for ideas. Tell him I sent ya, and ask him about his wood sealer products.
great guy, awesome prices and it's non-toxic all the way around!

hope this helped.

Caulk has one of three (or mixed) bases - latex, silicone, or elastomeric. When you see silicone sealant, that is a caulk. There are also silicone based lubricants... as many other products (which aren't pertinent) that I cant even think of at 3 in the morning.

I personally think the best sealant in a cage to use is GE Silicone 2 for Windows and Doors. This has the least amount of toxic chemicals in it (however they aren't toxic once cured). Silicone is an element and the nature of the element is it will never dry hard. It will dry to a solid but it will remain flexability forever. Pure silicone takes a LONG time to offgas though... you're looking 2-3 weeks.

If you use a latex modified silicone caulk (white lightening or something of the sort) then you wont have one that will remain quite as flexable - but under normal use its waranteed for like 50-75 years or something. The latex taking place of the silicone will cause the caulk to cure quicker, taking less time to offgas.

The aquairum sealant stil needs to offgas, and is toxic before fully cured. My friend sadly learned that the hard way by losing a softshell turtle to that.

Hope it helped.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
N. American Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Claudius)... coming soon

I personally prefer GE Silicone 2 for Windows and Doors. It is messy and not as easy to work with, but not only does it seal, it also acts like an adhesive as well.

I have used other types of caulking with great success. You can 'color' coordinate your enclosure with different tints or get the paintable type as well.

They all do pretty much the same thing.

Kingsnake seems to be running very slow today so I've not read through all the posts. Sorry if this is redundant.

>>...some sites say to use caulk and others to use silicone on the bottom of the cage, which one is better?

As I'm sure you've already heard, silicone is a type of caulk. At least in terms of this discussion.

I like 100% silicone. Another type I really like are some of the more expensive two-part polyurethane based products. They hold up to scrubbing better than silicone. They do take longer to cure, however.

If you could match the color of your melamine these might be a nice choice. Vulkem is one product to look for.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Actually use the "Silicone Caulk". This type of Construction Caulk has Silcione in it and is available at Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware. Silicone Caulk is mainly designed for use in Bathrooms; moister resistant. Every three years I replace the Silicone Caulk in my Melamine cages as the Urinates and drying out from Heat sources make it necessary. After you applied the Silicone Caulk, turn on a spot light/leave cage doors open to allow curing which can take up to 24 hrs. The smell of Silicone Caulk will linger for a while but should not be overwhelming after curing. Be sure to caulk all inside joints and corners. Silicone Caulk will cost about $5 to $6 per tube, one tube does a 5' x 2' x 2' melamine.