Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I have a large snake cage made of acrylic sheets in plastic framework. It was put together with acrylic glue (#16). The problem is that the seams leak. No, it isn't meant to hold water but when the water bowl overflows (due to occupation by a big snake) the water basically just pours out the seams.

Can I seal the seams with strip caulk, the sort of stuff meant for sealing around bathtubs and such? These products: http://www.reddevil.com/products.cfm?c=cst&cat=44

The material safety data sheet says no adverse issues with inhalation so fumes should not be an issue.

Am I missing something or is this a quick and easy fix for my problem?

thanks,

Tom

I have never used these strips so I'm not completely sure. I believe a wiser choice would be 100% silicone caulk. It comes in small tubes if you don't have a caulk gun.

You'll have to leave the snake out of the cage for a while, however.

that's a big part of the reason I'm hoping I can safely use this stuff, I really don't have an alternate enclosure that's strong enough to keep him in for days at a time. I'm willing to comprimise a bit in quality of the seal to save time but can't risk the snake's safety...

I don't know what type of solvents are used in the adhesive of these strips. Chances are they are still going to release fumes for some period of time.

Really not sure what to tell you. If you apply these strips make sure you can't smell anything before putting the snake back in.

If the cage has just a little bit of flex one thing that would likely work is hot glue. It has no solvents, obviously, and the plastic used is very similar to that used in dental appliances - so it's safe.

But if the cage has too much flex the hot glue could pull away from the edges.

Hot glue can take some flex, I'm just not sure how much.

If you decide to try it make sure to clean the inside edges with rubbing alcohol and make sure not to touch the edges before the hot glue is applied.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.5 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Good advice Chris. Thanks.

I found this page:

http://www.greenigsociety.org/accessories.htm

its an iggie page but it does say the strips are ok to use. That's the only page I can find using every search term I can think of...

I have tried caulk stips around a basement door, did not seal at all. As it cured it shurunk. You would be better sealing it with silacone as Chris suggested and for 20-25 bucks you can buy a large plastic container to store your boa in while the silacone cures. Then you will always have a place to store him when you do cage cleaning. It may take a day or two for it to cure, he will be fine in there.

You could always buy a 33 gal trash can they are like 9 bucks and you could always use a new trash can. Not saying for days on end but a few won't hurt like he said. Also I found that hot glue doesn't do well under water when bonding plastic to plastic but if its for a couple of hours I think it would hold just something to look into.
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

Ok, I'll take you're collective advice and use silicone. I want 100% pure silicone, right? Any advice on get a decent bead with a caulking gun and not getting it all over myself and the cage?

I have a big plastic tub I use for feeding. I can lash it shut with some rope or something to make it secure for 24 hours.

Tomorrow night's project! Thanks guys!

Tom

G.E. Silicone2 100% Silicone saelant white is what I have used with great results. Got melamine cages one has been in used for nearly 12yrs, all have the orignal silicone. Just cut your tip at a 45degree angel. If you don't get a good beed just dip your finger in some water and smooth it out. That stuff works great. It may take longer to cure than 24hrs, more like 48. But your snake will be fine in your tub for a couple days.

I used to build a lot of aquriums with 100% silicone. The books said to let it cure for 48 Hrs before using the tank. I hurried once and filled the tank and added fish after only 24 hrs. I killed a lot of fish in a hurry. I would let it cure for at least 48 hrs.

It becomes a longer project every day... Oh well, better done right. Thanks guys.

the silicone seems to have worked well. Thanks guys!

After a couple days stick your head in the cage, inhale deep. As long as you don't get any silicone smell, the put your snake back. Once I did rush things and had a eastern king start to shake and tremble. Removed him for another couple days and everything was fine. Felt bad because it was my fault and I knew better.

Yea, its good. The stuff said 12 hour full cure (supposedly its some new formula specially for plastic sheeting.... Amazing how many types of 100% pure silicone there are...), I left it about 48, no smell at all, silicone dry. Thanks for mentioning it though.