I worked for Sherwin Williams, and I learned plenty. Like how much change the industry has undergone just within a decade. The paints from 30 years ago, are definitely made up of products probably not used today. So in turn the effects it has on biological life will differ. Aquarium Set-Up FAQ page 2
Marine epoxy is safe, and probably the most used. check the above link and see what you can read and learn.

hope this helps, payce

I'm not educated enough in the topic of product toxicities to really say what is safe and what is not. I only pass on the info of the research I've been doing. Simply because a lot of info in the herp industry is passed on with no basis whatsoever. Okay lets look at one ingredient of marine epoxy.
Hydroxybenzene
A toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally

That makes me think it's not safe. BUT. People have been using it in aquariums for years with no effects. So is it safe? You have to make your judgements.
I'm not saying everything is bad or whatever. What I'm saying is don't use something because someone else said it was safe. Base it on your own research. Know what I mean?

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Thanks for all of the replies!
There are a couple of "professional" guides for this specific task that I've found in the sites given... one is a product called Hydrostone by plaster.com. Its apparently what they use to make zoo enclosure castings. I'll contact the company for more info. The second is a PDF guide and it uses mortar and then seals with acrylic cement fortifier and bonder (acrylic bonding adhesive). The hydrostone is about $50 for a 50lb pale with s/h. I'll do some more research, but my plan is to also soak my test samples in water for a couple of weeks, to see if they release any toxins (the goldfish test). Since I will have high humidity and a spray system, some walls will definitely get wet very often....hence using a cement with a sealer is not a good idea acording to viv forums... it leches chems, and raises the pH.
Sounds like I gotta make some phonecalls!
Oh and I'm planning on posting a how-to for this project so keep an eye out for it!
Thanks to all, and keep 'em coming! Cheers
Dmitry

Not that it matter now that you aren't using cement anymore, but if you were going to I was gonna say to use Hydraulic cement.

When concrete dries is shrinks and will crack especially in thin layers hydraulic cement doesnt shrink (well as much) so it cracks less.

And two rules of concrete
1. It gets hard
2. It will crack

I've worked in concrete for quite some time

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Randy

I plan to live forever... And so far its working

0.2.0 Ball Python (Jaxxie and Kyree)
1.0.0 Savanah Monitor (Sullivan)

Good luck with the project. Be great to see it progressing. Also if you can post any info you find on product specs you'll be using, that would be awesome. It's invaluable and sometimes hard to get info.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa