Silicone

Oblivion · #1 05-23-2010, 05:06 PM

I've been making a water dish holder for my WTF and I was wondering,

1) When I silicone the platform in his tank, should I keep the frog in a bin until the silicone drys?
2) And if I do how long should will it take for the silicone to be dry?

-Thanks

Grimm · #2 05-23-2010, 05:11 PM

Yes you should keep the frog somewhere else until its dry....Even further, you should wait 1-2 weeks for the silicone to fully cure before reintroducing your frog to its tank.

beckdg · #3 05-23-2010, 08:36 PM

til at least days after the smell is gone...

Oblivion · #4 05-23-2010, 10:33 PM

Alright, thanks Grimm and beckdg for the input.
Do you think a 17qt bin with paper towels and some fake foliage would suffice for a week or so?

Oblivion · #5 05-29-2010, 12:15 AM

I was just wondering on if you can use aquarium gravel as a substitute for LECA

Any tips/advice welcome and appreciated!

Grimm · #6 05-29-2010, 01:03 AM

I did....Seems to be working fine for me.

I think that the main advantage of using leca is because its large particle size allows for easy water flow and the risks of stagnant water are reduced greatly. And it also looks to be lighter weight then gravel so that also helps the back out a good deal when moving a tank around!

I dont see any nagative effects for using gravel however. I dont have any issues, plus I think it looks way better anyways then perfectly sized spheres lol.

beckdg · #7 05-29-2010, 07:15 AM

actually since the leca is porous it has more surface area for beneficial bacteria. if you're not attempting to overstock it shouldn't really matter much.

perfect spheres also maximizes pore size/voids between the individual grains. this can be beneficial for several reasons. if the roots can't get to it because of sheathing used to separate the layers the only real use becomes easier flow through. different size/shape granules tends to want to fill in the gaps more over time. when used as a sole source of soil this allows for good drainage and an airy soil so roots don't suffocate.

for our purposes it's usually just better for drainage and weight as grimm mentioned.

so what, i'm a stickler.

oblivion... i think your bin should be fine for a week or 2. admittedly, i don't wtf's though.

Oblivion · #8 05-29-2010, 09:27 AM

Alright thanks Grimm and beckdg, I think I just having to go with gravel with this guys tank.

But I have a 20g(don't know if it is a tall) and slowly but surely i am completing it. Just right now I don't have the funds for it. But I am planning to have a false bottom and a waterfall so we'll see how it goes.

ems1016 · #9 06-06-2010, 12:45 AM

Speaking of silicone, was at the local hardware stores this weekend and it seems all the silicones I came across had the mold inhibitors which everyone warns against. Could someone recommend some dart frog SAFE Home Deport or Lowe's silicone products by brand names please? Thanks! Ed

froggsong · #10 06-06-2010, 02:45 AM

GE II for windows and doors is fine (some say not to use it under water as it may kill fish), and GE I for windows and doors is ok too (I prefer the type II). Don't use either one for kitchens and baths. NO DAP ANYTHING, EVER. I have read some bad bad stories from people that used DAP. Just say no.