Smells when making an enclosure that would hurt jumping spiders?

[Resty]

Hi!
I'm new to this site and was looking for an answer that I cannot seem to get any real conclusion to.
I have recently been making Jumping Spider enclosures and playing around with different materials to give my little guys something really fun to explore, the only issue I'm having is that the sealant I'm using is producing a bit of a smell even after dried and only when the enclosure door is closed, I started by using Mod Podge but couldn't get rid of the smell, and now I'm using Polycrylic, I've also found that the styrofoam I use is off gassing and creating a smell as well in the same environment. So my question is would it be safe to put my spiders in the enclosure with the smell, or is there a way anyone knows of to get rid of the smell.

 

[viper69]

No No NOOOO- such molecules- never worth the risk. A friend of mine put a spider in a box with foreign molecules like this- the spider was dead some days later.

Food grade silicone is used widely

 

[Resty]

No No NOOOO- such molecules- never worth the risk. A friend of mine put a spider in a box with foreign molecules like this- the spider was dead some days later.

Food grade silicone is used widely

Oh no, unfortunately I can't use silicone for the project since I'm trying to use a clear sealant for paint and stuff, unless you know of silicone that's clear for over top of a material?

 

[fcat]

100% aquarium safe silicone is clearish...anything that smells when dealing with the chemicals found in products intended for home improvement will turn that into a taxidermy project.

The spider won't care if it's clear or opaque white

 

[Resty]

It's more for the look than anything, everything in them is handmade or painted and I want to make it so it doesn't get water damaged when misting the enclosure, I've attached a couple photos of enclosures that I make to show exactly what I'm talking about

 

[fcat]

I can't speak for jumpers but I use those for adult tarantulas. Even for my "dry" specimens I drill holes in them for ventilation. Won't that be too big for them to find food? And the daily misting make it stuff in there?

 

[viper69]

Oh no, unfortunately I can't use silicone for the project since I'm trying to use a clear sealant for paint and stuff, unless you know of silicone that's clear for over top of a material?

I don’t

love that top Image!!

 

[Resty]

I can't speak for jumpers but I use those for adult tarantulas. Even for my "dry" specimens I drill holes in them for ventilation. Won't that be too big for them to find food? And the daily misting make it stuff in there?

Can you clarify a little more? Are you talking about the enclosure, the decor or something else? I use a 5 gal tank for my jumper for a while and shes doing great in it!

 

[fcat]

Can you clarify a little more? Are you talking about the enclosure, the decor or something else? I use a 5 gal tank for my jumper for a while and shes doing great in it!

I buy that enclosure and give it to adult arboreals, that are several inches in size, I would never put a juvenile or sling in there (bigger than a jumper) because it wouldn't be able to find food.

As far as decor, I don't use any chemicals, no glue, no dyes, no paints, no decorations....just cork bark, undyed mosses, and leaves from non odiferous trees. It would be considered "naturalistic" and not a piece of art like yours but it's to keep my tarantulas healthy and alive. And they make it their own anyway

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hi!
I'm new to this site and was looking for an answer that I cannot seem to get any real conclusion to.
I have recently been making Jumping Spider enclosures and playing around with different materials to give my little guys something really fun to explore, the only issue I'm having is that the sealant I'm using is producing a bit of a smell even after dried and only when the enclosure door is closed, I started by using Mod Podge but couldn't get rid of the smell, and now I'm using Polycrylic, I've also found that the styrofoam I use is off gassing and creating a smell as well in the same environment. So my question is would it be safe to put my spiders in the enclosure with the smell, or is there a way anyone knows of to get rid of the smell.

Could you specify the actual chemicals? Maybe someone would know if they’re safe.

 

[Resty]

Could you specify the actual chemicals? Maybe someone would know if they’re safe.

I already listed the products Ive been using which is Polycrylic, Mod Podge and Styrofoam

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

@HooahArmy any ideas on these chemicals?

 

[Resty]

@HooahArmy any ideas on these chemicals?

If it helps the Polycrylic and Mod Podge are both water based formulas

 

[fcat]

I think it would be easier for you to provide the researched where you found any of this was safe. 100% silicone you can find here. And in the replies already.

Simple chemistry says if you can smell it you are breathing in the chemicals.

The spider cant see any of these decor items. They are to your taste and yours alone. For vanity?

I fear a day will come that we can't tag experts because they don't have time to answer the same questions over and over again.

Just search. It's the magnifying glass.

 

[Resty]

I've attached the posts where I heard they were safe for reptile enclosures, also for searching it up I haven't been able to find a definitive answer, I have scoured the internet for weeks looking for an answer. And yes the decor is for vanity, but I will change it if it is really unsafe

 

[fcat]

Looks like that was for ball pythons though... Nowhere near as sensitive as arachnids.

Search here and you will see that silicone is recommended, and safety is always paramount.

 

[Resty]

Looks like that was for ball pythons though... Nowhere near as sensitive as arachnids.

Search here and you will see that silicone is recommended, and safety is always paramount.

Good to know, what do you think of this silicone sealant?

 

[fcat]

Good to know, what do you think of this silicone sealant? View attachment 469771

Yessss but you still have to give it time to dry. Why I don't use adhesives (patience not one of my virtues)

 

[Resty]

Yessss but you still have to give it time to dry. Why I don't use adhesives (patience not one of my virtues)

I don't mind giving things time to dry! Thanks for all your help!

Actually one more question for you, what about a food grade varnish? Would that be safe or not?

 

[fcat]

I didn't know that was a thing. Like shellac? Like something you'd coat a cutting board with? I'll leave that for someone else to answer. Sorry