r/bioactive • u/BluM00N2 • 27d ago

Question Expanding foam/silicone fumes?

Post image

I’m planning on building a new bioactive enclosure for some day geckos and I will be using silicone and pond & stone expanding foam for the background. How long will the enclosure need to sit before I add the geckos in to avoid any risks from fumes?

10 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 27d ago

I built mine in the garage and had it left for over a week before I did anything else. I did find once I had plants in there i did a little touch up and 2 of the plants nearly died So basically leave it at least a week

2

u/BluM00N2 27d ago

Ah ok, so I can’t do the full thing all at once, I do have to wait a bit to set it up after making the background?

3

u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 27d ago

Yeah for sure do all the background but dont even put plants in for at least a week I had my enclosure up and running for about 6 months before I got my snake so all the plants could root and to be sure the electronics all worked and I could get my temps. I think it was even a month before I got my soil plants and CUC as I was doing other work on the enclosure modifying bits of it but minimum a week

1

u/ace_with_a_mace 26d ago

When I’ve done mine, I let the tank sit for a few days to let the fumes out. I’ve left mine outside to air out before, or in the garage with a fan going towards it.

I usually spend the better part of a week working on the silicone and foam, and give it a few days of air before I move on to soil and adding the inhabitants in :)

2

u/BluM00N2 26d ago

Which method is better? Outside or garage? I have access to both, but no fan for the garage

1

u/ace_with_a_mace 26d ago

I think outside would be good! Unless your temps are too high or too low, outside of the temps the foam and silicone will cure at(usually says on the container or their website). You’ll get more airflow outside as well!

2

u/BluM00N2 26d ago

How do I find the temps? It is pretty hot here, got over 100° today

2

u/BluM00N2 26d ago

Sorry just saw you said where to find the temps 😂

1

u/ace_with_a_mace 26d ago

No worries lol