do I need to worry?

[jamjam]

Just realized today my enclosure has few leaks at the bottom. This is from my acrylic on the bottom still having plastic sheeting over it in some spots and water is going under the plastic and and making its way under the bead of silicone I put down at the edges. Can't say how long it's been like that, I've been testing my enclosure for last Lil bit before I buy my cham. I just got a humidity reader a day or 2 ago and that's when I started misting more hopefully that when the leaks started and not a few weeks ago when I was only misting sparingly. The wood is still damp and discolored (probably just cause it's wet). I have yet to put my drainage holes in hopefully they go in tomorrow. I'm just worried about the wet wood. Those pieces that are wet were unsealed poplar. And there's one corner that was sealed that is a tiny bit discolored. Which has me thinking might need another coat of sealant. For the time being I have clamped my baskking light to try and dry up the water. There's 2 sheets of acrylic and water is also sitting in-between the 2 sheets

So question is, should I be worried about that wood rotting or getting mold. If thats a possibility if it's underneath like that and away from contact is it hazardous to a cham when I get it?

 

[Psychedelic Chams]

Stagnant water grows bacteria which is really bad for the chameleons

 

[jamjam]

Stagnant water grows bacteria which is really bad for the chameleons

just want to mind you, i dont have the cham now, currently in process of getting water dried. adding drainage holes, silicone again and maybe add another coat of sealant. stagnant water shouldnt be any issue when i have him.

 

[nj011908]

just want to mind you, i dont have the cham now, currently in process of getting water dried. adding drainage holes, silicone again and maybe add another coat of sealant. stagnant water shouldnt be any issue when i have him.

the caulking was really done badly, not to offend you, just make sure you apply liberally and use your finger to press the caulk down into the corners and then wipe your finger off and repeat until you have ran your finger along the entire edges

 

[jamjam]

the caulking was really done badly, not to offend you, just make sure you apply liberally and use your finger to press the caulk down into the corners and then wipe your finger off and repeat until you have ran your finger along the entire edges

never done it before, got tired of waiting for help so did it myself lol, more like constructive criticism. thanks

 

[symphonica]

I'm just confused. The acrylic attached to wood is on the bottom of the tank? Just wondering what the reasoning is for that design. Also, what type of caulking did you use? If you used aquarium silicone, it won't stick to wood or acrylic, so it will eventually leak. Acrylic requires acrylic agent/cement. Silicone will just pop off the acrylic over time. Also, some caulking and silicones, especially if they're not intended for fish/aquariums, includes a mildew resistance chemical in it, which can be very toxic to animals, especially if they were to drink the water that has come into contact with the silicone.

Also, unless you coat the wood, it's going to mold over time if water gets on it, regardless of whether the acrylic is adhered properly to it or not, especially at the bottom edges and corners where there's no acrylic.


You should be letting the enclosure dry completely between each misting, but wood that is soaked with water would take a while to completely dry out.

If I were you, I'd design the bottom so that it's tilted, preferably to the center, with a hole drilled in the bottom acrylic from where the water can immediately drain out.

 

[jamjam]

I'm just confused. The acrylic attached to wood is on the bottom of the tank? Just wondering what the reasoning is for that design. Also, what type of caulking did you use? If you used aquarium silicone, it won't stick to wood or acrylic, so it will eventually leak. Acrylic requires acrylic agent/cement. Silicone will just pop off the acrylic over time. Also, some caulking and silicones, especially if they're not intended for fish/aquariums, includes a mildew resistance chemical in it, which can be very toxic to animals, especially if they were to drink the water that has come into contact with the silicone.

Also, unless you coat the wood, it's going to mold over time if water gets on it, regardless of whether the acrylic is adhered properly to it or not, especially at the bottom edges and corners where there's no acrylic.


You should be letting the enclosure dry completely between each misting, but wood that is soaked with water would take a while to completely dry out.

If I were you, I'd design the bottom so that it's tilted, preferably to the center, with a hole drilled in the bottom acrylic from where the water can immediately drain out.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/first-enclosure-120008/ Theres a thread on my enclosure will need to go through all 4 pages to see the the last of its progress. please see the thread will give better visual

The acrylic went down for a bottom didnt know what else to use and was gonna drill holes and have like a catch tray under. I initially wanted to do the hole tilt system you mentioned wasnt sure how though and if i would be able to have the live plants i wanted still. I also should add im not very handy so my bro in law helped and kinda did alot of his own thing.

At this time i used the marine silicone says bonds to fiberglass, wood, metal, glass, and most plastics. I do have another of the GE 100% stuff alot of people reommend which i will use from this point on.

It seems to me you guys think I didnt seal any of the enclosure. I sealed all my pieces before I built, design got changed up a bit had to buy 3 new 8' pieces which i dont know where they got used i believe would be the door and bottom bracing for the acrylic sheets and feet for the cage. i didnt seal the bracing or the feet didnt feel the need and wouldnt be able to cover all the bracing because cant get to it.

I do let it dry out between mistings, with all my plants in the cage didnt see the water escaping to that corner and in the edges until i removed the plants. the yesterday. and you know what i took out my big scheffler 2-3 days ago and wood was not soaked like that i just remembered so hasnt been a very long time