Failed Homemade rock

[TheTerribleTerror]

So we've been working on this enclosure since october, finally get it to where we can peice most of it together just to find out by grouting and sealing, it caused everything to warp. Now we got gaps on the sides that we weren't planning for and are afraid our little guys dinner will be able to crawl into the back area of the enclosure and starving to death back there. Was wondering if you guys had any easy/quick ideas on how to cure this problem? Also, the UVA light may be to close to the area she can climb to. Opinions?

 

[Claudiusx]

You can try filling the cracks with expanding foam ( I think this product is safe, not 100% sure though) and then just reseal over it like you did to the rest of the rock structure.

-Brandon

 

[birksy]

yeah just do what Brandon says add some expanding from (it's what I did for my small spaces and cracks in my one) then just re grout and seal again

either that or you could just feed the dragon in a different container

my tank they is just too many places for crickets to hide so I just feed Geordie in a separate container

 

[TheTerribleTerror]

Thanks for the ideas. I saw the expanding foam at home depot this afternoon, was about to grab it but I couldnt see anything on it saying whether or not its toxic. Guess I got nothing to worry about other than having to grout again lol. We tried feeding in a seperate container when she was younger to help her actually catch her food, but we think it caused to much stress on her as she would never eat no matter what length of time we left her in there.

Is there any particular foam I should get? I noticed a weather resist, fire resist, a black can and fourth one I can quite recall?

 

[Infowars]

I used this foam to fill in the gaps on our fake rock, seemed to work great. You guys did a very nice job by the way http://www.lowes.com/pd_13617-236-2...pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=foam&facetInfo=

 

[BadCon]

Silicone or other general purpose caulking. The gap on the left looks a little big for caulking, but with the pressure created from expanding foam, I'm not sure I'd risk using it. There is expanding foam marketed for windows that doesn't over expand, but it cures soft...not the best substrate to grout over. For the smaller gaps, definitely use silicone. Get one without any anti-milder or mold agents...these are usually marked window and door (avoid the "kitchen and bath variety").

 

[TheTerribleTerror]

I dont think the foam will expand much as it dries, doesnt it only expand for the first few moments of application and starts setting from there? With how we have it set up we would definately need to shape it after application thus removing more risk of it over expanding. The idea was to still have the entire thing removeable to ease the cleaning process. Thus having the lid hinged and not screwed down. The one side could be caulked, but the other has way to much of a gap to do so. Would take a couple tubes just to build up a joint. I guess we could apply the foam as you would when welding a gap, just build off each side slowly and end in the middle. Might experiment with it first just to be safe.

Anyone have any thoughts on our lighting issue? Brings to mind the ol' saying, "measure once, cut twive.'

 

[BadCon]

What exactly is your lighting question? Are you worried your dragon is too close to the UV bulb? Do you know the measurements from the highest point the dragon can reach to the bulb? If its less then 4", I'd say that's too close.
Now if you are referring to the large coil bulb you have in the enclosure for additional brightness, I wouldn't worry. The dragon will most likely avoid it entirely...and at the very least, will have trouble identifying it as a distinct object due to the color and brightness. If you are still concerned, there are bulb cages you can get to protect the bulb (and the dragon).