Habitat - Indoor :: non-harmful Paint / Varnish / Resin

[dibox]

Does abybody have any knowledge in the field of waterproof paints and lacquers for wood ?
I want to protect my turtle's dock from moisture, but I don't want any toxicity !

Can I just buy any standard glossy liquid thingie that is used on furniture, wait until it dries and put it safely into the tank?

Please do not point at any specific makers / brand-names as I probably will not be able to buy them in central Europe. Let's stay generic and use chemical definitions, so to speak.

[VeipaCray]

If it's something you haven't built yet, you could always use cedar. It works well for fences without being painted.

If you do have to paint existing wood. Go for a marine deck paint. It's an epoxy paint that will fully cure in a day or so and is as impervious to water as can be. Your turtle won't be able to scratch it very easily because it's epoxy. Don't get marine hull paint. That will leech out chemicals and toxins designed to prevent barnacle growth. Marine Deck paint is what you want....it's also called marine topside paint.

If you want to go a little cheaper, you can get regular enamel paint designed for exterior siding. It's better than latex but won't hold up like the marine paint.

[dibox]

If it's something you haven't built yet, you could always use cedar. It works well for fences without being painted.

If you do have to paint existing wood. Go for a marine deck paint. It's an epoxy paint that will fully cure in a day or so and is as impervious to water as can be. Your turtle won't be able to scratch it very easily because it's epoxy. Don't get marine hull paint. That will leech out chemicals and toxins designed to prevent barnacle growth. Marine Deck paint is what you want....it's also called marine topside paint.

If you want to go a little cheaper, you can get regular enamel paint designed for exterior siding. It's better than latex but won't hold up like the marine paint.

Thanks for this pro info !

[dibox]

You know what, I think I'll go for cork.



There's a shop that will cut the pieces for me.

They say it's thick, light, durable, water resistant, non allergic. Seems perfect!
Hope it holds well on nails.

[sflemin2]

If you use that, let us know how it goes. I am going to be building an ATBA and I can't figure out what to use for the platform and ramp ( Mine is 48 x 24 x 31" so its been a little awkward to build a basking area)

[dibox]

If you use that, let us know how it goes. I am going to be building an ATBA and I can't figure out what to use for the platform and ramp ( Mine is 48 x 24 x 31" so its been a little awkward to build a basking area)

There are stores in my area that do cutting for free. I just give them the dimensions.
Right now I'm using 6-milimieter plywood:



And it's been wonderful - very aesthetic, nice smelling, easy to build & connect, but... it's getting disfigured from the moisture and will eventually rot and get fungus I believe.

I'm awaiting an email from the "cork company" concerning what is called an "expanded cork" [I can't find the translation]:



It's fully ecological & natural. The only question is how am I gonna connect it. Either nails or silicone.

[sflemin2]

My last basking area was made with plywood and it got moldy . Right now, I have a plastic undergravel filter with tile glue on it hanging on the inside of the tank. It works but its super heavy and it wont fit on the top of the tank. I really really like the tile and how it looks but its just too much for me to lift by myself (since its up so high).

If screws didnt work in that for some reason, you could still drill holes and use braces of some sort to attach the ramp right? I bet silicone glue would stick just fine. I wonder how expensive it is...

Has anyone else tried this?

[steve]

Is this to just cover the top?

[sflemin2]

No its for the entire basking area

[steve]

That was directed to dibox

Though I would use cork bark for the ramp. Those cork boards shouldn't be in water.

[dibox]

That was directed to dibox

Though I would use cork bark for the ramp. Those cork boards shouldn't be in water.

I'll use cork for everything, but only the ramp will be partially submerged in water.

[VeipaCray]

Wont the cork be buoyant and push up on the basking area?

[sflemin2]

Haha Steve I know. dibox included a diagram

[dibox]

Wont the cork be buoyant and push up on the basking area?

That's the question of immobilizing the construction. Hinges, stones, I don't know yet.