Strong suction cup rubber smell

[corsara]

Hello,

Yesterday I bought from Staples a few rubber suction cups, and I used one of them to securely attach the thermostat and thermometer sensors to the bottom of the vivarium, right under the hide on the warm side. I washed the suction cup with warm water and soap before using it, but it still retained a very strong smell of rubber. I've also noticed that since then my little corn is never in her hide on the warm side, but stays all the time in the other hide on the cold side.

Should I be concerned? Is it possible the strong rubber odor is pushing the snake away? Is it dangerous?

 

[captainjack0000]

Depending on your temps, it is normal for a corn to stay on the cool side. Most of the time my two stay on their cool sides and only move to the warm side after a meal, or now in the winter when the apartment gets a bit cooler.

Most new plastics (polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) release a bit of chemicals into the air causing the smell. Smell a new shower curtain or the inside of a new car for similar results. I have no clue if these are toxic to your snake.

I did read online that a mild 3:1 mixture of water:vinegar can help with the smell, but I'm not sure if that just masks the smell without addressing the source of the smell.

I would probably let the suction cups 'air out' a few days and then I would wash them before putting them in the tank.

 

[Geminiluna]

Do you have a glue gun for hobbies? That's what I used to affix my temp probes to the bottom of the tub. Picked up a very inexpensive hobby glue gun at the store ($4 maybe) and used just a dab of glue in a few places at the probe and along the wire to hold the wire firmly to the bottom of the tub, and I think it came out pretty well. Nice thing is, it's definitely not permanent. After Sixx passed, I learned you can gently pry up the glue and peel it away from the probe and wire and have the equipment be perfectly fine to use again.

 

[yojoe05]

Unless it's really cold in the cool side of her viv I wouldn't worry, she'll go where she feels like and just when you think you have her figured out she'll do something else to confuse the heck out of you. Also I've got suction cupped items in my tank and the smell you describe will go away rather quickly and it causes no problem for the snake.

 

[corsara]

Thanks everyone for the replies! For now, I've removed the suction cup from the cage. It happens that the hide is just above the two sensors, successfully pressing the cables down to the glass in the bottom. If the suction cups loose the smell in time, I'll put them back in.

Do you have a glue gun for hobbies? That's what I used to affix my temp probes to the bottom of the tub. Picked up a very inexpensive hobby glue gun at the store ($4 maybe) and used just a dab of glue in a few places at the probe and along the wire to hold the wire firmly to the bottom of the tub, and I think it came out pretty well. Nice thing is, it's definitely not permanent. After Sixx passed, I learned you can gently pry up the glue and peel it away from the probe and wire and have the equipment be perfectly fine to use again.

This is a great idea, but doesn't the glue need curing time? How do I know it's not toxic to the snake?

 

[dave partington]

let the suction cups air off for a couple of weeks.
use a little piece of scotch tape in the meanwhile

 

[Geminiluna]

This is a great idea, but doesn't the glue need curing time? How do I know it's not toxic to the snake?

It sets up very quickly. Within minutes. As for toxicity, I do not have any evidence about it. I use it in my ball python's tub, and took the idea from another forum where it was discussed as the recommended way for people to fix probes inside an enclosure.