cement?

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mrbojangles13

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2009
Messages
28
was thinking about making a house out of cement and possiably some of the rocks that chins on the rocks use. is cement safe? fully cured of course. i could also make some really awesome things to play on for them too. jw on what you guys thought.
 
No, cement has lime, which when wet, can become an acid! And they'll chew it like lava blocks
Only thing I can think of that may be safe would be the clay they use for those chinchilla-shaped dustbaths, but I don't know what they're finished with!
Anyone good with pottery?? Might be a big market!
 
Thing with clay is (from what I remember taking pottery in high school), when it is dry (not kiln dried but leather hard), it becomes dangerous to inhale in powdered form, which, if a chin chews it, you bet there will be a powder. Also, if not dried properly in a kiln, it can go back to its original state when wet, which is dangerous to ingest. Probably not a good idea either. Those dust baths are finished with a high gloss finish once kiln dried. Any pottery that was not made especially for consumption use (mugs, or dishes are for consumption) most likely has a toxic paint base to it, as it wasn't meant to be in someone or something’s mouth. Those clay dusters are fine to have. I think if a chin wanted to eat it, it would quickly give up. Though, if it breaks or chips, I would take it out immediately.


I would just stick with wood or if you can find pumice then go with that. Or just see if Chins on the Rocks can custom make one for you?
 
yeah when cement first sets it has a high high ph... of about 12. i know from my reef aquariums. if you soak in water for a while and change the water on a regular basis, it is acceptable for both salt and fresh water aquarium parameters. which have a ph of 8 thru 7. 7 is a base. is i did this curing process would it be acceptable?
 
No, as they'll chew it to dust, immediatly, exposing the lime!
It's the same, or coarser than the lava chew blocks, which my chins turn from a 2 x 2 block into a 1/2" ball they can kick out of the cage, [to be stepped on, ouch] in a couple - three weeks!!
I'd go for the limestone - I don't think they chew it!
 
yeah i could prob find a large solid rock and just drill it into a home... depending on cost
 
I know limestone is safe - don't know of others!
Might call some stone suppliers - maybe they have a 'holy' stone!
 
Okay firstly cement is a powder... you guys are talking about concrete.

Secondly, if when concrete gets wet it turns into an acid... why doesn't my sidewalk melting into an acidic puddle when it rains? Or burn my feet when I walk on it when it's wet and I'm barefoot? Not really thinking too far ahead there are we?

What exactly do you think LIMEstone is made out of? It is a calcium carbonate, in any form.

I don't see the benefit, it would be heavy and hard to move and clean I'd imagine. But they do have lime mortar, it's often used for limestone, I would look into that, as I believe it's mostly limestone based.
 
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