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Strong plastic odor in tub

Amanda47

Amanda47

New member
Hi-

I keep my 4 month old corn in a smallish Sterilite tub, I've had him about two weeks.

I've noticed a pretty strong smell when I open the tub, I assume it's a plastic odor. I've never had a reptile pet, but I've smelled foul things in my time, and this odor doesn't smell natural (like poo or something else that comes out of a live or dead creature), which is why I think it's the plastic or at least not the snake.

I'm really tempted to just move him to the 10g tank, ready to do so, but I'd rather keep him in the small tub for a while if I can.

My questions:
1. Is the plastic odor normal when using a tub as a viv?
2. Does poop or musk or snake ever have a plastic-like smell?
3. Is the snake safe to stay in the tub with this smell?

I've never cleaned it, but I don't think the plastic smell of plastic can be washed off...

The tub has a ceramic water dish, two toilet paper tube hides, two wadded up paper towels (more hides) and aspen bedding. Heated with a mini ZooMed UTH outside and under the tub. A line of air holes along the upper part of the tub and in the lid.

Thanks for your input :)
 
You should scrub it out with soap and hot water, then let it air for a day or two. If you never cleaned it, that's what it is and I can't imagine it's very good for your snake. I use pretty much the same set up with some of mine and I know the plastic smell you're talking about, it was really strong with mine when I got it. Always scrub and air out.
 
Weda737 said:
You should scrub it out with soap and hot water, then let it air for a day or two. If you never cleaned it, that's what it is and I can't imagine it's very good for your snake. I use pretty much the same set up with some of mine and I know the plastic smell you're talking about, it was really strong with mine when I got it. Always scrub and air out.
Click to expand...

Agree You should always do this when introducing something new to your snake. How are you heating it does it look like that area is melting any?
 
I always wash my tubs, then let them sit in the sun for a day or two. That really helps the off-gassing.
 
Hmm, I am using the same set up and I have no plastic smell..
I did wash the bin out before use with just really hot water, and that seemed to do the trick!
no more smell.

I would really check to see if the UTH is melting or starting to melt your bin, that's the only reason I can think of that would make the smell so strong like your saying..

Maybe try what I have set up, I have a 20 gallon tank set up but with the UTH attached to the tank, and I then set up my sterilight bin in the glass tank with the one end of it over the UTH I have found this to work out perfect for me.. as it heats his bin but the UTH is NOT actually in direct contact with his bin.

I do hope this helps a bit!
Good luck! :)
 
I usually wipe my plastic down with vinegar , then add one cup of vinger and 1 cup water, then close and shake, then rinse off and wipe it down with a dry paper towel and let dry for like an hour.
 
Thanks guys. I did wash it out last night, just dish soap and hot water and let it dry, and the odor is not nearly as strong.

So, washing it out reduces the plastic smell... I swear I'm not a plastics noob, but I wouldn't have guessed it would make much of a difference! I'm really glad it worked, will do it again next week :)

PS- I checked and there was no signs of melting fortunately. That was my first thought actually.
 
Amanda47 said:
Thanks guys. I did wash it out last night, just dish soap and hot water and let it dry, and the odor is not nearly as strong.

So, washing it out reduces the plastic smell... I swear I'm not a plastics noob, but I wouldn't have guessed it would make much of a difference! I'm really glad it worked, will do it again next week :)

PS- I checked and there was no signs of melting fortunately. That was my first thought actually.
Click to expand...

The reason I use vinegar is because it is a safe disinfectant for animals then all that chemical stuff. :), but glad to hear you got the odor out.
 
Awesome beans. Glad it helped, I just use dial hand soap, I have F10 as well for water dishes and emergencies.
 
Depending on if the tub and lid were in the middle of a stack in the store, they may smell a lot more. I've noticed the ones on the top have aired out in the store and don't smell as much. I now try to plan ahead and leave them outside to air out, not stacked up. With the rain we've been getting lately, they work great as rain collectors too.
 
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