Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Cages and Enclosures Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Cages and Enclosures Forum

Gus308   Fairy Frog Mother   Gus308   Cphill58   Gus308   Cphill58   Gus308   Cphill58   Gus308  
 Member  Message

 #2062570


Gus308
View Profile

 Water Proofing Grout Wall

I am experimenting with rock walls and waterfalls in a little ten gallon tank. I made the wall from Styrofoam and then covered it with several layers of tile grout. Now what I’ve read says to seal such a wall with sprayed on, water resistant PVA (article was for bearded dragons, so it is used in a dessert enclosure). The problem being that it is going to have to be a lot more than resistant to have a waterfall running down it 24/7.

I’m trying to find something else to seal the submerged part with that isn’t toxic. My only thoughts so far would be a thin silicone layer that would be invisible under water anyhow.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated,

~Gus
08/23/09  08:34pm

 #2062890


Fairy Frog Mother
View Profile



   Message To: Gus308   In reference to Message Id: 2062570


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

What about Fiberglass? Its what we have in our shower. Works a treat.
08/24/09  03:20pm

 #2063111


Gus308
View Profile



   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2062890


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

Fiberglass to seal it, or to build the wall?

I’m looking for a clear drying, non-toxic sealant to go over the acrylic painted grout.

~Gus
08/24/09  11:21pm

 #2069848


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Gus308   In reference to Message Id: 2063111


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

Gus,

How ya been ...

In the tile installation biz I have been in for some 20+ yearswe have had all kinds of sealers and such come our way.

I like to use the water based sealers as they are now mandated by the EPA throughout all of Calif. Aqua Mix is the brannd I prefer...but others will do just about as well.

Custom is the mother company...Tile labs is owned by them and so is Aqua mix. The whole thing is that the Aqua Mix folks still keep the original chemical receipe and stand a bit higher on the totem pole as far as quality.

That being said it is my feeling that these products when dry are all non toxic, that is, the chemicals become dry and inert. That is how we are able to prepare food on these surfaces with no ill affect. I have sealed many counter tops and back splashes floors/ showers using these products.

Just as a shower is sealed and sheds mildew and mold and soap scum the sealer should do the same for you ... every so often it needs to be re done ...like a year or two.

Apply it to the grout 2 coats... and allow to dry as directed... the most important thing to consider is what is behind the grout and supporting it ...there are many waterproof membranes that roll on and act like a thick paint. RED GUARD is one of them and is easily purchased at HOME DEPOT. About 25.00 for a 1 gallon container...it drys like a thin rubber membrane the more you apply at each coat the thicker it becomes. And as long as you don’t nick it or start to peel it off it will be water proof. It can be cemented over and also I would imagine painted.

If you want to call Custom ( they make red guard) and Aqua mix (seaslers)I can give you the 800 #’s to do more investigating.

Aqua Mix

RED GUARD

In the pages are more MSDS (manufacture saftey data sheets) and also 800# CONTACT US areas. Get in touch with them and see what you can come up with...I bet the red guard can even be applied to one layer of grout ...and then grouted over ... and then painted and then sealed to produce maxium water proofing. I will assume even further and say that the red guard could be painted and clear water based (min wax) poly could then be used over the acrylic paint.

Hope this helps... we can mull it around a bit and I have othere options to explore as well.

Cp
09/09/09  01:36pm

 #2071446


Gus308
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2069848


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

"PM"ed.

~Gus
09/14/09  12:04am

 #2074183


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Gus308   In reference to Message Id: 2071446


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

Gus ,

I spoke with an artist ...after acrylic paint dries ...it is and remains waterproof ...I asked pointedly with the idea that water will be running over the surfaces continually ...and she assured me that it would be so.

Good luck , what’s the worst that could happen if it wasn’t ? If you seal the grout first it will still be water resistant. Which will allow you to return to finding a suitable top coat once again.

just my 2 cents

Cp
09/20/09  04:54pm

 #2074388


Gus308
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2074183


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

Thanks a lot, I didn’t really expect you to go out of your way to find something for me.

The acrylic that has to be used for and enclosure is the children’s non-toxic paint, which is water based, and, therefore, not water proof. This isn’t for sure, but it seems to be the basic conflict for my project.

The project is pretty low priority right now, so I haven’t got to much research, but this is what I know. I will probably not even paint the thing until I find and purchase an air brush, which could be months.

Thank you very much for the help,

~Gus
09/21/09  12:56am

 #2075353


Cphill58
View Profile



   Message To: Gus308   In reference to Message Id: 2074388


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

I didn’t go out of my way ....LOL... the artist came to my Yard Sale to buy picture frames....so I asked.
09/23/09  01:07pm

 #2075760


Gus308
View Profile



   Message To: Cphill58   In reference to Message Id: 2075353


 Water Proofing Grout Wall

Well, thanks anyhow, I’ll let you know when I get around to figuring something out, and you’re welcome to share what you might come across.

Thanks again,

~Gus



09/24/09  12:31am


Back to Cages and Enclosures Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area