NEED HELP WITH WOOD FOR BASKING PLATFORM!

[DylanFreeman]

Hello all. My buddy just built me an extremely nice basking platform for my 3 month old juvenile, but before i could use it i learned that it is made out of pine which is toxic to beardies. He is now making me the same one but with birch this time. Do i need to use a sealer on this? I dont want to unless its absolutely necessary

 

[Taterbug]

If you don't use sealer cleaning poop off can be a challenge. Other than that, it's probably not needed

 

[DylanFreeman]

Thanks! Do you have a suggestion as to which to use? Do i need to let it sit outside for awhile before i put it in his cage?

 

[SukiLove]

When I build the rack for my geckos I will use birch. It can be sealed with polycrylic sealant or a polyurethane sealer, and let air dry for 48 hours. I would also advise giving it a 'gas-off' period, usually 2-3 weeks so that any smells/chemicals can really be cleared out.
But just a heads up, the gloss version is VERY shiny, so I would go with clear or satin has a very slight sheen to it.

 

[Taterbug]

Polycrylic should be fine. I do believe it cures faster also? I've read it's ok to use after 48hr?

Polyurethane is a tougher coating in my experience, it works differently and it can take 2-4weeks (with good airfow) to cure fully and all the (pretty toxic) chemicals to be done doing their thing.

 

[SukiLove]

I would just worry about the fact that its the basking platform, therefore exposed to higher direct heat. I always let all my sealants 'gas-off' for 2-3 weeks as a precaution anyways. I tend to favor the polycrylic just because it seems to work better. You just have to be sure to use 2-3 coats.

 

[SukiLove]

I should say, I've used polycrylic on my racks before with the flexwatt tape running around 92 degrees and it did perfectly fine.

EDIT: And I should also say that I used polyurethane to seal a platform I had built for Suki, but I did leave that outside on a covered porch for about a month in the late summer/early fall so that it could really air out. So I've used both, the polycrylic does cure faster though, so you are correct Tater.

 

[DylanFreeman]

I reallt want to be able to put in the platform tomorrow or the next day. He never poops on his basking area. Just the corner of his tank so idk if i even need sealant

 

[SukiLove]

I reallt want to be able to put in the platform tomorrow or the next day. He never poops on his basking area. Just the corner of his tank so idk if i even need sealant

There are people that I have known who use the polycrylic, let it sit for 48 hours and then use it in the enclosure. I just don't recommend it for my own piece of mind, I'm always worried about fumes that can be created by heating up the object.

 

[DylanFreeman]

Im very worried about not using the right wood. Everything i have read saya that birch is 100% ok. So as long as i buy birch plywood that is not treated, i should be good. Correct? Sorry for my arrogance :/

 

[SukiLove]

Birch is supposed to be safe for reptiles, yes.

The sealant is more for keeping it fresh for long in case any accidents occur on it.

 

[DylanFreeman]

Thank you so much. I just cant bare the idea of hurting my dude without knowing it! I plan on not using the sealant, so hopefully he does ok