Whta kind of glue stuff for screen top

Wrath · 11-13-02, 04:44 PM

I went to home depo a few months ago with the intent of buying silicon caulking to attach screen mesh to the top of my BP tank. The <i>person</i> there advised me against it and so I bought some (rolls eyes) <i>"household goop"</i>.

Weeeeeell, the screen is coming off because of the constant weight from the heat lamp (and the kitty that I just can't keep off the top of the tank, im working on it), and needless to say, Anoushka is beyond thrilled. I need to reattach some screening to it, which means I'll have to keep her in this teeny tank for a day or two.

What do you guys suggest I use to attach the screening? Should I just get silicon caulking like the kind that is used on aquatic tanks?

Thanks!
:-D

sSNAKESs.com · 11-13-02, 04:50 PM

if the frame is wood i would suggest you staple it into the wood with a staple gun.. (15$) from homedepot.. just stape right around it.

Big Mike · 11-13-02, 04:52 PM

What surface are you attaching the mesh to?

Another option is hot glue, I've heard it's safe for animals.

Quervo · 11-13-02, 08:31 PM

Unless you can staple or use something to support the screen, not much will work if you have weight on it.
Like Mike said hot glue works well and is non-toxic .. silicone will stick it on but don't use silicone caulking .. get the 100% silicone .. it does come in a caulking tube, but make sure it is 100% and not a caulking mix.

Tim_Cranwill · 11-13-02, 08:36 PM

I tried to fix my front door screen with a hot-glue gun and it SUCKED! If you want to support the weight of a cat by using hot glue, be prepared to loose either your cat or your snake... or both.

In my experience, 100% silicone should work well. But all in all, keep the cat off the screen!!!

Good luck!

Syst3m · 11-14-02, 02:26 AM

This is my personal Opinion, get 1/4th inch hardware cloth. And a staple gun. or even 1/2 inch hardware cloth. It's like chicken fence. If your snake likes to rub against the screen get the rubber coated stuff. Staple that stuff down and presto.

But some sort of fastener is a MUST. You could aslo buy that pigeon fence stuff to keep the cat down, you know the big plastic spike stuff they put on signs and billboards at businesses to keep the birds from scatting and nesting on them. works great for cats too. If you are not dealing with wood. Then 100% Pure Silicon is your only other alternative. Make sure it cures fully and make sure you have your heat elements and lights on while it cures.

Wrath · 11-14-02, 01:36 PM

Its a former aquatic tank. I don't know if stapling will work, it's a very thin fake wood (probably plastic) frame on top. If I staple, it will most likely go through to the glass. Maybe the silicon. I will see. Thanks so much for all your imput! Yes, the cat is learning. He does it less know because I practically have a conniption when he jumps up there....

and it is the 1/4 metal cloth that im using...

Why do you say that I should have the heating elements on while it cures???

Tim_Cranwill · 11-14-02, 02:12 PM

Because it will cure at room temp and then still release gasses or whatever when it is heated. So, if you cure it at the temps it will likely be subjected to, it won't off gass any further at those temps.

Them and Us · 11-14-02, 07:42 PM

i taught my cat to stay off of the screens on my older enclosures with the most handy device known to man. the squirt gun. just leave it around the house and whenever the cat gets up on it just quirt the crap out of it. it will learn to stay off. and they get a shower while learning.

Syst3m · 11-15-02, 02:41 AM

Can you show us some pictures of this thing, I cant see why you would want to glue the top down. Does it open from the front?

Kathy · 11-15-02, 10:31 AM

Haha yea that squirt gun or spray bottle idea works great. Especially if you get one that makes a noise. We used that to keep teh cats off the sofa, now if we catch them sitting on it all we have to do is make that "pssssssh" noise (sort of the same noise as the spray bottle makes) and the cats go running. Plus you could use the bottle to mist the snake when hes shedding

Lisa · 11-15-02, 08:49 PM

to keep the cat off our tanks we took wire coat hangers and bent them and placed them around the top of the tank... the cat doesn't jump on the tank anymore.

KING · 11-16-02, 01:46 AM

I would use 100% silicone.

KaHane · 11-16-02, 10:15 AM

King PM me!!!

Wrath · 11-16-02, 01:31 PM

OK, I took another look at it (sorry, I dont have a digi camera) and I think that you guys are right, I could probably staple it and save myself so much grief. Because the plastic (woodlike) frame on the top of the tank extends into the tank for about a half inch or so. Except, if I staple it, wont the staples hang into the tank? Anoushka likes to press up against it, how can I make the staples like paper staples that fold under?

Sorry guys, I'm a ****** at this.

As for the water gun, yeah I use tha. THe cat already knows my tricks. It only works if I squirt it a lot and in his face, hehe.