should i clean??

[DeesBalls]

So my new tortoise comes tomorrow. And I was wondering if I need to clean the cage? He got parasites and that is what caused his death? He was good for 2 weeks, then started showing symptoms, passed 4 days later.... I fed him grass and weeds from outside, but washed them off.... so I'm just wondering if j need to empty all the substrate before new guy goes on? Or if it fine? It is 2 bags a organic potting soils. And forest floor bedding on top...

Just let me know, thanks!

[USMCgunner11]

I would recommend that you empty it and sanitize it.

[Gungirl]

It is not worth the risk to your next pet to not clean everything 100%

[DeesBalls]

i was going to no matter what, guess i just wanted to double check...

thanks

[BarelyBreathing]

Grass and weeds from outside? Died within four days of showing symptoms? It sounds like he was poisoned.

[DeesBalls]

Grass and weeds from outside? Died within four days of showing symptoms? It sounds like he was poisoned.

With what???? No pesticides of any kind on our grass....

[BarelyBreathing]

What about the lawns around it? The animals in the area? It's so easy to accidentally contaminate a lawn in an urban/suburban area. Heck, it's even easy in most rural areas. I live on a 40 acre plot but I wouldn't feed anything from outside because my neighbor a quarter mile away uses pesticides.

[jaleely]

I'd feed the next one only clean, store bought food and stuff. Yes clean, etc.

[DeesBalls]

Gotcha guys and gals, thanks!!!! Now another question first ta, can i use cypress mulch that you get fired outside landscape? ?? Or do I need "pet store " mulch?

[DeesBalls]

What about the lawns around it? The animals in the area? It's so easy to accidentally contaminate a lawn in an urban/suburban area. Heck, it's even easy in most rural areas. I live on a 40 acre plot but I wouldn't feed anything from outside because my neighbor a quarter mile away uses pesticides.

i dont think any one near me uses a pesticide of any kink... but i will not feed from outisde at all any more! could someone point me in a direction for grass seed i can grow inside?

[Bradyloach]

hardware stores, garden centers boooooom!

[DeesBalls]

Lol. So is that a yes? I can?

[Bradyloach]

you can use mulch from the hardware store... just make sure its organic first!

[alessia55]

You can use hardware store so long as it hasn't been treated with pesticides/insecticides/etc and you could wash it before putting it in there.

And yes, clean out the tortoise pen completely. Nothing that was used with the first one should be used with the second one if you can avoid it. Completely sanitize the pen and let it air dry. Good luck with the new little guy :)

[DeesBalls]

You can use hardware store so long as it hasn't been treated with pesticides/insecticides/etc and you could wash it before putting it in there.

And yes, clean out the tortoise pen completely. Nothing that was used with the first one should be used with the second one if you can avoid it. Completely sanitize the pen and let it air dry. Good luck with the new little guy :)

cool cool, thanks alessia. (and everyone else) i will check the cypress i got to see, but ill wash it any way b4 i put it in...

im going to bleach/soak the decor i had in the cage.

[BarelyBreathing]

DeEuGi, search google for a local livestock feed store. Make your way out there and purchase a bale of hay. Store it on a large piece of tarp or plastic in your garage (and you'll probably want to do the same when you bring it home in your car, trust me, half of my car is covered in hay). For a signle tortoise, this will last you a very very very long time. And I get my bales for $6.

[DeesBalls]

DeEuGi, search google for a local livestock feed store. Make your way out there and purchase a bale of hay. Store it on a large piece of tarp or plastic in your garage (and you'll probably want to do the same when you bring it home in your car, trust me, half of my car is covered in hay). For a signle tortoise, this will last you a very very very long time. And I get my bales for $6.

and use only the hay for substrate? and i dont have a garage :( just a basement...

[DeesBalls]

okay, so i just got done cleaning everything, scooped out 99% of the substrate, wiped out the other %1 with a towel, sprayed down the entire enclosure with lysol/soap and water and wiped it all out, soaked all the decor/water dishes in bleach for 15 min. and washed with antibacterial soap.

i am going to let it dry out a bit, then put new potting soil in, and going to try and set up something for an over night burrow with a blue light on it (to keep him at around 75 degrees at night, and only for the night...

going to set up a big water dish as well for a pool for him to soak in if wanted, if not oh well, i want to make sure he can get hydraded if need be...

post pics up in a new thread when he gets here!!

[BarelyBreathing]

You can put it in your basement. No, I'm saying use hay for grasses. It comes in several types of grasses (timothy, alfalfa, mixed wild grass, there are like five more but I can't remember).

[DeesBalls]

You can put it in your basement. No, I'm saying use hay for grasses. It comes in several types of grasses (timothy, alfalfa, mixed wild grass, there are like five more but I can't remember).

yea, i can... that is where my rep room is going... (building a room) and i have timothy hay at my house...

[BarelyBreathing]

Cool. Next time you need some, though, you can get like 30x the amount you get at the pet store for half the price at the feed store.

[DeesBalls]

Cool. Next time you need some, though, you can get like 30x the amount you get at the pet store for half the price at the feed store.

cool cool, ill be sure to get some. do i need to soak it 1st? i read on some care sheets to soak hays before you put it in the cage?

[BarelyBreathing]

I have never soaked it. Soaking hay causes it to mold.

[DeesBalls]

ok. gotcha!