Questions

[sapphire_moon]

Ok we have the enclosure made. It is a 4ft Long x 2ft Wide(deep) x 2ft High(tall).


On the inside we have a protective oil based enamel on it. The problem is that it doesn't seem to want to stop off gassing, fumeing (whatever you want to call it.) It will seem to be fine. But we will close it, lock it and a few hours later open it, and it will smell like it's been off gassing.

It is inside, I have the UTH on it...hot side agerage is usually about 92 degree's, and cool side average is usually 80 degree's.

The UTH seems to have triggered the offgassing...

It has been about 7 days, and it still seems to be offgassing like crazy........

We are about to go crazy because we think the cage is just junk now after spending all the money (about 120 dollars USD) time, and frustration on the thing (first cage obviously!)......

If you tell me to read the can we have already done it. But it doesn't say anything other than what weather to use it in, and how long it takes to dry...(about a day).......

we can't take it out of our room or else it will get destroyed because everyone in my family is going to be here all month long because of thanksgiving, so everyone is poking and proding at it, opening and closing it, taking the UTH out from underneath it and looking at it, unplugging it, using it as a table....they have no respect .......we are about ready to trash it simply because unless it's done with it's off gassing we have no where to put it.

How long do you think it should take to stop off gassing, should we keep it opened or closed? (can't keep it open really because the cat would destroy it. so forget that)...........

Any ideas or opinions would be GREATFULLY appreciated!!!!!

If you reply thank you in advance!!!!

[Big Mike]

Keep it open (get rid of the cat) and get a fan in possible. The more ventilation you get on it, the better. The heat will trigger more off gassing but you want to keep the heat on to help it to dry.

It will take time to dry, especially if you are keeping it inside your house. If the weather permits...leave it outside.

I'm no expert on the subject, but I would have recommended a water based finish rather than an oil base. I have heard that it is a lot safer for the animals.

[Linds]

Oil-based products can continue to offgas for years. Waterbased will not offgas like that, however it is less-effective at sealing against moisture. What exactly did you use on it (name, type of coating)? Just keep the heat on it and the doors open, and wait. That's pretty much all you can do, unless you want to spend more money and put an expoxy coating over top. This will seal any nasties right in and away from your herp (and also make it waterproof ).

[sapphire_moon]

WILL NOT get rid of the cat (thats like saying get rid of your kid to me!).


can't put it outside. it has been staying under or around 40-45 degrees....
and there is NO epoxy where I live and I have been to all the surrounding area's. Home depot, wal-marts, targets, k-mart, and home depot like places.......

No Epoxy. Not to mention that now we can't afford it and food because of certain people (my grandmother) keep bouncing the rent up and down.....lets just say that.......we make about 400 dollars a month, she wants us to pay 375, plus pay for our own food,gas, insurance, vet bills, and animal/herp food................god I hate this place...........

But if you can give me the exact name of an epoxy that might be here in the states then we will go buy it and put an over coat on it........

[sapphire_moon]

ok we just found something called Anchor Tight, it's and underwater epoxy......do you think this would be good?