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for those of you with BIIIIIG vivariums...

SquamishSerpents

SquamishSerpents

Katia
...what do you use to clean/disinfect? is there such thing as a no-rinse, reptile safe spray to disinfect the viv when changing substrate? i have Milly in a 50 gallon, and i've just been wiping it out with warm water and paper towel. i can't wash it in the bath tub or anything, so now i'm kind of concerned about disinfecting.

any advice? how do you guys with huge "decorative/centerpiece" vivs disinfect?
 
I use Simple Green, it's biodegradable and won't harm animals or people. I get it at Big Lots for pretty cheap too. They also have wipes, but I didn't like them that much... Sometimes it leaves a film, so I follow up with Windex that I spray on a paper towel.

I also use distilled water in my spray bottles for misting the tank, as it doesn't leave spots on the glass. :D
 
My wife loves...

Odaban or something like that. She usually grabs the stuff and cleans for me. I hate it, smells bad to me. But it is all natural.
 
REALLY! distilled water doesn't leave spots!? haha man you learn something new everyday, but LET ME TELL YOU spots on the glass is like one of my HUGEST pet peeves EVAR!

and CaptBogart, don't you have to rinse windex? i can't imagine all that ammonia being safe for reptiles.

is it safe to use windex on the OUTSIDE of the glass, providing the snake is not inside the enclosure, or what about just spraying it directly onto the paper towel and then wiping the glass?
 
Chlorhexidine, a bottle lasts a while, the dilution is tablespoons to gallons. Before I got that I just used bleach/water solution, real weak, about 5% bleach.
 
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When my wife isn't around...

katia said:
REALLY! distilled water doesn't leave spots!? haha man you learn something new everyday, but LET ME TELL YOU spots on the glass is like one of my HUGEST pet peeves EVAR!

and CaptBogart, don't you have to rinse windex? i can't imagine all that ammonia being safe for reptiles.

is it safe to use windex on the OUTSIDE of the glass, providing the snake is not inside the enclosure, or what about just spraying it directly onto the paper towel and then wiping the glass?
Click to expand...

I use Windex. Never been a problem.
 
CaptBogart said:
I use Simple Green, it's biodegradable and won't harm animals or people. I get it at Big Lots for pretty cheap too. They also have wipes, but I didn't like them that much... Sometimes it leaves a film, so I follow up with Windex that I spray on a paper towel.

I also use distilled water in my spray bottles for misting the tank, as it doesn't leave spots on the glass. :D
Click to expand...

Isn't distilled water somehow bad for snakes? I read somewhere that i shoud never use distilled water for water for my snake...
 
katia said:
REALLY! distilled water doesn't leave spots!? haha man you learn something new everyday, but LET ME TELL YOU spots on the glass is like one of my HUGEST pet peeves EVAR!

and CaptBogart, don't you have to rinse windex? i can't imagine all that ammonia being safe for reptiles.

is it safe to use windex on the OUTSIDE of the glass, providing the snake is not inside the enclosure, or what about just spraying it directly onto the paper towel and then wiping the glass?
Click to expand...

It's my pet peeve too! The Windex will evaporate, I usually keep the snake or lizard in a holding tub until it airs out. I spray it on the paper towel first so it's contained to just where I use it... no puddles :D

patm1313 said:
Isn't distilled water somehow bad for snakes? I read somewhere that i shoud never use distilled water for water for my snake...
Click to expand...

Distilled water for drinking is bad because it can become acidic as it sits and doesn't contain any minerals, but using it to mist your tank won't harm them...
 
i never get around to misting my snow corn, because i ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS miss him in blue! he's had mostly perfect sheds though, sometimes they've come off in a few pieces, but always the eyecaps and tail come off, so i'm not too stressed about it. but i swear i can never tell when he's in blue. though recently i've been keeping a log of feeding/weighing/shedding, so at least i'll know when he's due for shedding, and then i can mist him. but thanks for the tips on cleaning and disinfecting, and distilled water! now i just can't wait for my 50gal exo terra viv stand to arrive, so i can keep all my "snake equiptment" in the cupboards, instead of on the floor beside my computer :p
 
I betcha plain old kitchen vinegar will work just as well, if not better, than most commercial products that have been mentioned. It kills even more bacteria than bleach when also sprayed in conjunction with (but not mixed in the same bottle) hydrogen peroxide.
Both are made with pure water when sold to consumers so they leave no streaks.
 
For quick cleaning glass I use Healthy Habitat it doesnt streak glass and its good for odor

I saw this For Vanodine havent used it yet but im going to give it a try

Use Vanodine on your hands when moving from one area or animal to the next. Use it for safe disinfection of tanks, terrariums, tongs and equipment.

Vanodine kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bleach is much less effective in the presence of dirt or other organic material. The unique properties of Vanodine allow it to work even in the presence of dirt, urine and grime. Most disinfectants (including bleach) require you to thoroughly scrub the area with detergent before application. This is because they do not work as a detergent themselves. Vanodine takes care of both in one step.

Now you can safely wash all water and food containers. Spray down all perches, floor and cage sides to kill bacteria and viruses. Soak toys, rocks, branches, and washable substrates in Vanodine to disinfect easily and efficiently. When you are finished, either let dry, rinse or simply wipe off.

Unlike some disinfectants, Vanodine is also effective against fungus which is imperative to keeping your reptile habitat clean. Use Vanodine to control outbreaks and spread of fungal conditions. Note that Vanodine can be used in an atomizer for aerial disinfection and disease spread prevention (always properly dilute for this application)

A typical liquid bleach solution has a shelf life of under 2 weeks. Vanodine has a shelf life of up to 3 years! It is also 'color coded' which allows you to visibly see when the solution is no longer effective. An active solution is brown to amber in color depending upon your dilution. Once the Vanodine solution loses its color, it is time to make a new batch.
 
I've never heard of Vanodine, but it sounds wonderful. Can you buy it at petstores or what?

I use vinegar. I have liquid rock for water, and vinegar takes off the spots and disinfects well. I go over the inside with plain water just to help get rid of the smell. I let it air out for about ten minutes and then put him back in. Easy peasy.
 
I use F10 disinfectant to clean my tubs and cages. It's 100% safe and all you do is spray it on, leave it for a few minutes and then wipe it off :)

"F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant
We believe F10SC to be by far the most effective, safest and economical disinfectant on the market. A total spectrum disinfectant, it is highly effective against avian diseases including Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease and Psittacosis, killing all types of bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores.

It is non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-irritating and aldehyde free so has no adverse effects on people, animals, equipment or surfaces.

F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant (dilution 1:250-500 i.e. 2-4ml in 1 litre) can be used for just about anything - disinfecting floors, cages, perches and toys, food preparation areas, inside incubators, washing eggs and decontaminating hands. F10SC can also be applied as a fog or fine spray to mist rooms to eradicate airborne microbes and to stop cross contamination."

F10 can also be used to treat RI infections by nebulising the snake/lizard. It's very safe and highly effective :)
 
Wow, that sounds like great stuff as well. Unfortunately, I can't find a way to purchase it in the US.
 
I personally use straight vinegar. It might curl up your nose hairs and an eyebrow or two, but it rinses off easily and airs out quickly.
 
CaptBogart said:
I use Simple Green, it's biodegradable and won't harm animals or people. I get it at Big Lots for pretty cheap too. They also have wipes, but I didn't like them that much... Sometimes it leaves a film, so I follow up with Windex that I spray on a paper towel.

I also use distilled water in my spray bottles for misting the tank, as it doesn't leave spots on the glass. :D
Click to expand...

isn't Windex bad cause it has ammonia???
 
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