GE silicone 1

[joe1567]

is GE silicone 1 (window and door kind) safe for terrarium use

[Athen]

yes it is there is some debate over the safety of type 2 but many have used it with no implications as of yet

[ekul luke2]

so what is the safest silicone and expanding foam?

[Wolfkill]

There has been allot of debate on silicones. I use epoxies like liquid glass and two part epoxies for a 5min hard for a fast hold, and then aquarium silicone over top of it. It's the safest way to make tanks with glass for the way we are using the stuff for. I make my setups just like they do at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's do for there frogs and toads. I don't use foam I use Portland cement and light weight stones (ex gravel because it's very light) with mesh to make back drops and water features or little islands. I've talked to a few Herpetologists and zoo keepers about these things and every one has mixed feelings about what to use. I just take the safest road to take even though it is more work, and requires more time. Cretin types of Styrofoams you can get in blocks and carving it out the way you want are safe. I need to look into the foams more and where to get it. I know that zoo's use the stuff too just dont Know what kinds yet.
Mike.Wolfkill

[Paradox676]

I'm putting together a wooden snake viv. I was wondering what type of silicon to use on wood/contact paper. I know silicon 1 is used for waterproofing glass terrariums. I'm not too worred about waterproofing it just sealing the corners and edges and giving it a little water resistance. I guess the real question would be will silicon 1 work or should I be looking at getting something else?

[froggsong]

Silicone I WILL work, but it will eventually shrink. I have already had some shrinkage in my frog/toad tank, and it hasn't even been around for 6 months yet. I have been using type II since I built that tank, and let me tell you... It is so much easier to work with, it doesn't shrink like the type I does, it cures MUCH faster, and it produces MUCH MUCH MUCH less fumes than the type I. I doubt I will be using type I again, unless it is all I can find. So, I would suggest using type II. While the debate still rages as to the safety of either one, I feel safe using it for my CWD, and that is the only reason I am willing to recommend it to you. I also used it in my BP tank, and I have had none of the issues I had with type I in that tank with type II.

[Torin]

I wish I had read this before I went out and bought clear type I. Guess that anti mildew stuff being bad was just an assumption.

I wanted black, but they only had that color in type II. Now I need to go back to home depot.

[froggsong]

If you DO use type I, you also have to make sure it is the window and door one, and NOT the kitchen one. You should be able to exchange it, though. Even if you already opened it, take it back and tell them you didn't know it was the wrong one, or that it wouldn't cure properly, or that you need one that doesn't produce as many fumes or something. Type II in black worked awesome for me, and I got much better results with the way that the peat moss stuck to it compared to the type I. It is also much easier to see the black properly against the GS, which is why it is the recommended color. Using clear would likely be even harder than the white I used in my frog tank.