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hi,i was wondering if i can use wow expanding foam instead of great stuff expanding foam.
Where exactly did you get this information that there are "less chemicals" in pond and stone great stuff than in gap and crack great stuff? I just went to the Dow website and looked up the MSDS for both gap and crack and pond and stone great suff. According to the MSDS both formulations have the exact same chemicals in them, just in slightly differing amounts. Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate, isomers and homologues (in pond its up to 10% in gaps and cracks its up to 30%) and Paraffin waxes and Hydrocarbon waxes, chlorinated (pond foam its 1-15% gap and crack its 5-10%) are the only chemicals that are in significantly differing concentrations in the two formulas.While many people use regular great stuff, I only recommend using pond foam. Even though it is more expensive, there are a lot less chemicals that can leach into the water. We all know how sensitive frogs are to toxins, and even if it doesn't have an immediate affect on the frog, its difficult to say what it does long term. Just look for a "safe for fish" on the label.
there are quite a few people who have been using great stuff for 7+ years, with no known bad health effects. These people's frogs reproduce normally, maintain good weights, don't have any unusual health issues. While this doesn't mean it is 100% safe, the great stuff method has stood the test of time. I would say the pond foam is also safe but far fewer people use it. As for some of the other foams out there, I would probably stay away from other foams b/c I wouldn't want to take a chance. Besides, if you must save $5-10 on a build you might want to ask yourself if its the right time to by frogs. While they are not as expensive as other hobbies, they are not cheap either. Good luckWhile many people use regular great stuff, I only recommend using pond foam. Even though it is more expensive, there are a lot less chemicals that can leach into the water. We all know how sensitive frogs are to toxins, and even if it doesn't have an immediate affect on the frog, its difficult to say what it does long term. Just look for a "safe for fish" on the label.
I know lots of people use Great stuff, but I don't recommend it because its not made to get wet or be in contact with animals, unlike the pond foam. I assume that, even if it has the same or similar chemicals, it is less likely to leach them into the water. Obviously it doesn't kill on contact, but who knows if it might lower their lifespan by 10% or cause a slight increase in reproduction problems? Its certainly possible that both are more or less the same, but why take the risk for a few extra dollars?If the regular Great Stuff is toxic to frogs, I think there are going to be quite a few people on this board who are in big trouble. As for the 'wow' brand, I haven't heard of it, but a good start would be trying to compare the formula with that of the Great Stuff foam like Rhesus Feist has pointed out.
Pat
Again I'm going to ask for your information source concerning the pond foam being safer or less likely to leach chemicals? Great Stuff gap and crack is designed to get wet and repel water, it is designed to fill gaps in exterior walls.I know lots of people use Great stuff, but I don't recommend it because its not made to get wet or be in contact with animals, unlike the pond foam. I assume that, even if it has the same or similar chemicals, it is less likely to leach them into the water. Obviously it doesn't kill on contact, but who knows if it might lower their lifespan by 10% or cause a slight increase in reproduction problems? Its certainly possible that both are more or less the same, but why take the risk for a few extra dollars?
After all, there are plenty of materials that have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years before they were found to be toxic. Lead was used to seal human food for centuries, and BPAs, used in plastics since the 1890s are just now coming under scrutiny.
Certainly I don't criticize those who use great stuff, but I let all my customers know that I, personally, don't prefer it.