Ok - so I have read a few threads that said polyurethane is the best choice BUT it has to air out for weeks. Here's my issues, actually a photo first.
This is my reno of my enclosure. I had planned (LOL) on waiting until well after I was finished before getting a new beardie...and then I met Charlie at Petsmart
So...yeah...I need to finish this ASAP. Right now she is in a travel play pen (puppy style one) and I really need to get her into a better habitat to ease the stress of having my cats come up and sniff through the mesh of the pen.
I'm using Styrofoam (as you can see in the photo) and have 3 12"x12" tiles in the front section. I'll be grouting it all (hopefully tonight), and adding acrylic paint to it (and to the glass that I painted blue in the back - the enclosure has glass sides, back and bottom, was originally a snake enclosure my friend gave me for my late Evee).
I would love to get Charlie into her new home within a week or less if at all possible. This enclosure is in my main livingroom where my family hangs out, so it has to be low ordor too. My brain hurts today (migraines suck) and I just can't seem to wrap my head around all the options. I did by some acrylic sealant and I have modpodge, but I want to make sure it is absolutely safe for my new baby girl.
Does anyone have suggestions?
Thank you!
Just an afterthought - yes that is a big water dish that will have an aerator in it to make it circulate. No I'm not worried about humidity as it is really dry up my way right now (I'll probably shut the water down in the summer though as it does get humid) and the doors and top are metal mesh. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to hang the basking light and ceramic heat emitter too. There's a sling in the back bottom (where it's dark). The water dish, her hide, a 'tree' will all be in there and removable for ease of cleaning
From what I read normal Mod podge is a good choice because it's non toxic and is ok to get wet sometimes but not if you plan on getting it wet all the time. If you need something more waterproof use Mod Podge Outdoor, it is very durable, water resistant and only has a mild odor.
Awesome! Thank you! No, I don't plan on getting it wet at all So I will go with the modpodge I have. That's what I originally got it for, but then I was reading about all the different sealants and wanted to be sure.
Modpodge is not really a sealant. Water ( from cleaning or splashes from the fountain ) can temporarily soften it and can make cleaning more difficult. If your ok with redoing it now and then I'm sure it's fine.
Given your time constraints an epoxy resin is probably your best bet for something durable. Pond shield is the one that comes to mind as far as being on-toxic and intended for animals. It's more expensive but probably a lot more durable than modpodge.
That's what I was wondering about the modpodge. Everything in the enclosure will be set except for the water and food dish, hide, and a tree. If I go to clean, I really don't want the sealant coming off. I'll check out the pond shield. Thanks!