My DIY Fake wood. First attempt - Page 4

Ma77hew7 · #31 09-08-2010, 10:35 PM

I did not know the protocol for attaching pictures on someones thread

I hope the picture is not too large. So hopefully I'm not being rude or out of line. I was just excited to show you my pvc vine

THANKS AGAIN CrazyAirborne!!!

JoeG · #32 09-08-2010, 11:53 PM

Looks really nice.

I hate to be the one to bring this up but is anybody concerned/aware that burning PVC is poisonous?

beckdg · #33 09-09-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeG

Looks really nice.

I hate to be the one to bring this up but is anybody concerned/aware that burning PVC is poisonous?

i've mentioned about the black pipe. you've got a point though... one i've given some thought. it would definitely be a good idea for folks to look into the properties of the gases released when doing so. of course you could always argue that pvc has to be made somehow in the first place.

in short, yes... and i'm not doing it personally... so i haven't done much more than thinking.

JoeG · #34 09-09-2010, 11:43 AM

Yeah, its a bit of "light" reading but burning PVC pipe releases toxic compounds including hydrogen chloride gas and dioxins which present a slightly different, even elevated danger to a person than you would see in the manufacturing process.

Now, having started to read a bit more into this, there is a real issue with "dioxin residue" which requires warning lables for human products, so I would imagine that issue is magnified for our herp friends. I'm not the expert in this field but it seems that dioxin residue is not something you can just clean off the burnt pvc, it even leaches through normal pvc, but burning increases the amount of dioxin created.

Its an interesting read and the related articles make me wonder...

beckdg · #35 09-09-2010, 01:08 PM

yep... and dioxins are the major culprit in black pvc. the difference in dioxin levels are the reason black pvc pipe is supposed to be used purely for drains from what i understand.

tazely · #36 09-11-2010, 04:55 PM

ok at the risk of getting into one of those "depate" threads that just make me stop reading and go on to other things, I first off want to say thank you for your concern for the health of others, that I wont touch but after trying this and reading the replys I DO SEE YOUR CONCERNS. I read the WIKIPEDIA artical, and I do see your point but it dose state several times "burning" of PVC, but the word burning is what I would like to address. Heating the PVC to make it plyable is not what I call burning. Yet the darking of the grain dose brush on it. Again thank you for this and I think in the future I will be heating to bend, then painting for the grain. In closing I would say WELL VENTALATION is the key if anyone try this in the future. Thanks again and JUST MY OPINION

SubmarinR · #37 09-11-2010, 09:47 PM

this thread has brought up several concerns w/ me as well

this thread at aquatic plant central also utilizes pvc to create branches/limbs
the creator mentions heating (not burning)
Streambank paludarium - Page 10 - Paludariums - Aquatic Plant Central

my question is that if the whole project was then coated in a cement substance would that negate the toxin issue(s)?

haven't posted at APC w/ question but plan to next

Joe

tazely · #38 09-12-2010, 08:53 AM

Like I said I dont want this to be a "debate" thread but all I can say is we're all resposible for our own actions. I mean we could go on and on about the dangers and hazards of different things, cutting styerfoam with a burner, "great stuff" inhalation and the toxins even after it is dry, heck even the vapors given off by silicon. If we were we all wouls need level 3 hasmat suits and a nonrebreather resperator. PLEASE PLEASE be careful with what ever you do. And thank you to everyone for all the heads up on the precautions, we do need reminded from time to time. Yet I digress I have read this forum quite awhile as a guest (and not joined) for this reason I am doing right now, I like to read it for insperation and for new ideas and enjoy the tanks and the joy that people have showing there pride and joys. Hate to sound like a complainer but some times I just dont care if its 2.6 or 2.665748738, to me it just dosnt matter. Sorry again if I sound sinical, I'm really not, very easy going and quite a hoot sometimes. I LOVE THIS SIGHT so please dont get me wrong. Thanks

beckdg · #39 09-12-2010, 10:33 AM

some people will take things more seriously than others. for example; i'm on another forum where right now a guy is considering cleaning out USED truck gas tanks and making fish tanks out of them... and selling them to un-suspecting folks through craigslist.

as well there are concerns that many folks overlook. how many folks bake wood and without thinking open the oven door with their faces over it? it's a sure way to get burned because steam sticks well to the skin long before it cools.

dry ice... it's a great way to flood a tank with co2 and kill your bugs without chemicals that will stay in the tank as residuals and kill future inhabitants. most folks see that idea and think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. i wonder sometimes how many of those folks stop to realize that it's so cold that touching it might just cause a person to lose a finger.

there are stupid and/or uneducated people everywhere. as well there are folks who are so intelligent that common sense just never crosses their cerebral cortex... their entire life... smart people do the dumbest things often.

it's good to have the information there... or a direction to go to find it... just in case. not that i'm scared of making my own wood... i just think the real thing looks better, imho. but when people are scorching plastic it would be a good thing for them to know what the risks are.

it doesn't stop every manufacturer from producing baby bottles containing bisphenal a (bpa) but aware consumers realize they'll eventually probably microwave a bottle full of milk and choose to search out alternatives that don't contain bpa.

either way, this is a great alternative, imo since it'll last practically forever and can look very real. some folks will choose to do it and others will choose not to. there's 2 sides of the coin and i, personally don't think anyone has to justify their stance on the matter until herps/fish/whatever start dropping like flies. i've seen no reports of such happenings so, imo the biggest threat is to the person doing the work, really.

however... if burnt enough this might just cause an issue for some folks... especially in completely enclosed systems where no air exchange normally occurs such as tropical enclosures. who knows... but what i'm saying is use your best judgment. to each his own...

i think i understand... and don't exactly disagree with your stance, tazely... nor joeg's stance... and if submarinr feels better getting more answers on the matter... that's great too. maybe he'll come back with scientific evidence clearly stating one way or another on the toxicity/safety of this method. i'd appreciate it personally.

either way... this is really starting to get off-topic. i'm leaving it here for now because it is pertinent to the original topic... but if it goes any further i'm going to have to move it to it's own thread, i fear.

crazyairborne... please keep in mind that in no way is any of this supposed to be a downer or bash... this is great work and very innovative... i'm sure many of us (including me) really appreciate you sharing your work/experiences. thank you.

tazely · #40 09-12-2010, 04:06 PM

Thank you beckdg, very well said, and crazyairborne sorry your thread has gone this way. Before this started I wondered if boiling and then minipulating the shape might be a alternitive???? This application has so many uses in the water feature area. Mine I sealed and covered in coco powder and wood dust, in hopes to get moss to grow on it.