A question on concrete...

[SasquatchTortoise]

I recently made a large 'Pond' for our sulcata. I used Quikrete Crack Resistant- link to product here.
Now for the question- it seems to have a lot of chemicals. Should I use it or is it unsafe?
Thanks

 

[TaraMaiden]

I'd fill it with water and leave it for a couple of weeks to allow the chemicals to leach and settle. Then empty out the water, and refresh...

 

[TaraMaiden]

I actually asked a neighbour, who is a builder. He recommends, for safety's sake, that you leave the pool DRY, and let it 'rest' for about a month. Concrete seems dry, but can have small hidden pockets of moisture, so try to protect it, and allow it to dry naturally, for 28 days...

 

[Tom]

I recently made a large 'Pond' for our sulcata. I used Quikrete Crack Resistant- link to product here.
Now for the question- it seems to have a lot of chemicals. Should I use it or is it unsafe?
Thanks

@Markw84 will know the answer to this question.

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

Thanks. I will make sure to let it cure for a month.

 

[jaizei]

Curing is not synonymous with dry or drying. If anything, you should spray the concrete down a few times a day while it is curing.

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

Curing is not synonymous with dry or drying. If anything, you should spray the concrete down a few times a day while it is curing.

Yes. I have been spraying it down whenever I go outside

 

[Markw84]

I am not concerned about chemicals leached from new concrete.

You do need to keep the concrete moist the first few days. Letting it dry out while curing will promote cracking. Keep it wet for about 3 days, then fill with water to rinse and empty every day to allow it to cure another 5 days or so. Concrete does cure under water. That is a chemical reaction not "drying". After that - go ahead an fill and let the tortoise have access. Empty and refill the pool every few days for another week.

The primary chemical that is released from the concrete itself while curing is calcium hydroxide. That then turns into calcium carbonate when exposed to carbon dioxide. That gives new concrete that whitish film that can form on new concrete that most see as the chemical that is released. This diminishes with time quickly. This will also make the water more basic. Hence the need to reduce pH in a new swimming pool. For a tortoise pool and drinking water, not necessary.

For a tortoise pool, I would have no problem letting the tortoise have access to the pool in about 7 days, having rinsed and refilled the pool at least 4 times by then.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I am not concerned about chemicals leached from new concrete.

You do need to keep the concrete moist the first few days. Letting it dry out while curing will promote cracking. Keep it wet for about 3 days, then fill with water to rinse and empty every day to allow it to cure another 5 days or so. Concrete does cure under water. That is a chemical reaction not "drying". After that - go ahead an fill and let the tortoise have access. Empty and refill the pool every few days for another week.

The primary chemical that is released from the concrete itself while curing is calcium hydroxide. That then turns into calcium carbonate when exposed to carbon dioxide. That gives new concrete that whitish film that can form on new concrete that most see as the chemical that is released. This diminishes with time quickly. This will also make the water more basic. Hence the need to reduce pH in a new swimming pool. For a tortoise pool and drinking water, not necessary.

For a tortoise pool, I would have no problem letting the tortoise have access to the pool in about 7 days, having rinsed and refilled the pool at least 4 times by then.

What a fantastic explanation

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

I am not concerned about chemicals leached from new concrete.

You do need to keep the concrete moist the first few days. Letting it dry out while curing will promote cracking. Keep it wet for about 3 days, then fill with water to rinse and empty every day to allow it to cure another 5 days or so. Concrete does cure under water. That is a chemical reaction not "drying". After that - go ahead an fill and let the tortoise have access. Empty and refill the pool every few days for another week.

The primary chemical that is released from the concrete itself while curing is calcium hydroxide. That then turns into calcium carbonate when exposed to carbon dioxide. That gives new concrete that whitish film that can form on new concrete that most see as the chemical that is released. This diminishes with time quickly. This will also make the water more basic. Hence the need to reduce pH in a new swimming pool. For a tortoise pool and drinking water, not necessary.

For a tortoise pool, I would have no problem letting the tortoise have access to the pool in about 7 days, having rinsed and refilled the pool at least 4 times by then.

Thank you so much

 

[Warren]

My tortoise enjoys his swimming pool and when it gets dirty, I just wire brush it or power wash it.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

My tortoise enjoys his swimming pool and when it gets dirty, I just wire brush it or power wash it.

I've got about the same thing.
I use a broom to clean them

 

[MenagerieGrl]

My tortoise enjoys his swimming pool and when it gets dirty, I just wire brush it or power wash it.

Wow, Dude/Dudedette has a shower too! Awesome . .

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

Wow, Dude/Dudedette has a shower too! Awesome . .

Gotta make sure to wash that hair! I mean, scales!

 

[jeff kushner]

That's a fantastic setup Warren.....very nicely done!

 

[Dbrocato2]

Love this set up!

 

[TaraMaiden]

My tortoise enjoys his swimming pool and when it gets dirty, I just wire brush it or power wash it.

I'm assuming you mean the pool... NOT the tortoise...

 

[Warren]

I'm assuming you mean the pool... NOT the tortoise...

Lol

 

[Ghazan]

My tortoise enjoys his swimming pool and when it gets dirty, I just wire brush it or power wash it.

do you use a drain plug to keep the water in?

 

[SallyALP]

I recently made a large 'Pond' for our sulcata. I used Quikrete Crack Resistant- link to product here.
Now for the question- it seems to have a lot of chemicals. Should I use it or is it unsafe?
Thanks

How do you plan to keep it clean once the tortoises are using it? Does it have a filtration system? Asking cause I have a cement pond for my sulcatas also.
Pictures?