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Is Silicon safe for reptiles?...and are heating rocks safe?

S

Sn.guilmette

New member
Recently my snake's brand new 40 gallon terrarium developed a crack because my undertank heater malfunctioned and overheated (the pad even melted.. never will I put a pad under the tank where I can't monitor it) even though I have spacers between the bottom of my terrarium and the desk its on. The crack is on the bottom of the tank. For now I have put duct tape over it so she doesn't cut herself if she manages to get underneath the liner and goes over it. I have made this side the cold side of the tank for now so no additional heat is near that part.

I have read that filling the cracks with silicon, putting a sheet of glass that covers the crack over that, and then around that piece of glass putting silicon is a good repair. I have another 20 gallon tank she could use if I really need a new one. I just can't afford to get a replacement for a few months so I wanted to try repair.

Additionally, I was wondering if a heating rock was a safe option for a snake. I ordered a new heating pad to put on the side of the tank, but wanted something she could lay on. As well, in CT we've been having major power outages this past year and I heard they can stay warm or up to 10 hours after being unplugged which would be useful. The zoo med one has really good reviews concerning no hot spots and I have a temperature control for my hot side of the terrarium I could plug it into.
 
Everything I've ever read about heat rocks is bad, and personally I'd risk a power outage rather than thermal burns to my snakes. Was your heatmat connected to a thermostat?
As far as the sillicone, as long as you use aquarium grade it will be totally safe after it cures and no longer smells of vinegar. Don't use the sealant meant for household repairs
 
Thanks for your time and response :)

My heatmat was connected to a heat control thermostat (this one to be specific http://www.petco.com/product/108340...=MM_ReptileSupplies_TemperatureControlHeating).

For the past year or so we've been getting power outages frequently, the longest one lasted 1 week and others for two days at a time. What I've been doing is wrapping handwarmers in a sock and putting it on the warm side of her terrarium and putting it in my larger sweater pocket and letting her lay in there for a set time before putting her back in the terrarium for water and colder air so she doesn't get too hot or thirsty. Is there any better method during extensive power outages? The heating rock would have been good for bursts of outages and to conserve handwarmers (which become high in request at stores that have power).

This is the heating rock I was looking into: http://www.petco.com/product/5108/Z...aters.aspx?Ntt=heat rocks&OneResultRedirect=1 which hadn't gotten bad reviews, but given what you said I'll do further research.
 
If the undertank heater was hitting its maximum, it was more likely to have been the thermostat that was faulty than the heater.

Any electrical equipment can be damaged by power surges when the electricity is restored after an outage (fried a DVD recorder like that a couple of years ago in my flat). Could be that the thermostat was damaged? Might be worth investing in an extension socket with a built-in surge protector, like the ones used for IT equipment.
 
That's probable. We've been having short bursts in outages for the past few weeks because the electric company is installing something new down the street.

I was using two heating pads temporarily until my new larger one came in the mail and the other (a different brand) did not overheat and it was on the same power control. The light has been turning off and on accordingly as well. Could it have just been that one heating pad that got fried or would that not make sense?
 
GE Silicone I
Window and Door

is safe and cheap. I believe its 3$ per tube or less.


Just let it cure for at least 24-48 hours before letting your snake back in tank.
( when vinegar smell is gone )

Do Not Use Silicone II: Mildew+ Mold resistant AKA TOXIC!
 
Usually says on the tube if it's aquarium safe or not. Anti-mold agents are the toxic part. Clear glass silicones are often (not always) toxin-free, white/gray bathroom silicones are usually not.

Covering the crack with a piece of glass should work. The crack will most probably continue to slowly expand until it hits the edge of the glass, so put a large enough piece on it.
 
I would let it cure and age some before putting the snake in, the stuff can have some bad odors until it cures.
 
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