entire enclosure clean out

[frankadank]

this might be a stupid thread but i am just wondering how do some of you go about an entire enclosure cleanout? i've had my bumblebee BP for almost 2 months now so i think it's time for a deep clean, i plan on doing it monthly but i wanted her to settle in before i stressed her out. i got a huge bin that i'm going to put holes in and let her chill in there while i clean. should i put a heat source on the bin? do i turn my UTH off before cleaning the tank? i have zoomed tank cleaning spray, how long till i put luna back into her home, 1/2 hours after cleaning? for hides just soak in hot water? add some soap maybe? thanks y'all!

[trailblazer295]

I put mine in a rubbermaid with a towel as "bedding" while I clean out the cage. I don't have a heater in the rubbermaid as they aren't in there an extended period of time. They have had no ill effects. I leave the heaters in the cage while I work. Never thought to try turning it off.

[frankadank]

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

I put mine in a rubbermaid with a towel as "bedding" while I clean out the cage. I don't have a heater in the rubbermaid as they aren't in there an extended period of time. They have had no ill effects. I leave the heaters in the cage while I work. Never thought to try turning it off.

i was thinking to use the old substrate for the rubbermaid bedding before throwing it out. i don't think heating is that necessary. how long till after cleaning do you let it air out? and yah i dunno if turning it off will change snything. thanks for your method!

[dannybgoode]

Can you get F10 disinfectant over there? Best stuff on the market-its what every vet in the country uses over here for cleaning. Safe for animals the moment it's been sprayed and kills everything nasty!

[Andy_G]

Both f10 and chlorhexidine gluconate concentrates are available in both Canada and the U.S. Both are simply sprayed on and wiped off and inexpensive. One bottle will last you a LONG time. No toxic side effects possible, no rinsing or airing out required (but I would suggest rinsing the water bowl regardless) and it's equally effective as diluted bleach and used by veterinarians.

I am uncertain of what exactly this zoo med stuff you have is or how it's used, but just be sure to read the directions. If no disease is present, a lot of people actually just use hot water and elbow grease to do the cleaning.

As far as cleaning advice, jjhill has offered some great easy tips on how to do it already. No sense in heating whatever holding container you may be using, or wasting paper towel to line it either.

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

I am uncertain of what exactly this zoo med stuff you have is or how it's used, but just be sure to read the directions.

The Nat Geo stuff I've been using says you don't even have to remove your reptiles to use it, I still take my snakes out before using. If yours says something similar still remove your snake or whatever you're using. I was a frog guy first and anything that says something like that is usually full of crap.

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by frankadank

this might be a stupid thread but i am just wondering how do some of you go about an entire enclosure cleanout? i've had my bumblebee BP for almost 2 months now so i think it's time for a deep clean, i plan on doing it monthly but i wanted her to settle in before i stressed her out. i got a huge bin that i'm going to put holes in and let her chill in there while i clean. should i put a heat source on the bin? do i turn my UTH off before cleaning the tank? i have zoomed tank cleaning spray, how long till i put luna back into her home, 1/2 hours after cleaning? for hides just soak in hot water? add some soap maybe? thanks y'all!

Pull the snake out, toss it in a critter keeper or some other holding container. No heat source needed unless your house is like 50 degrees or something.

Then dump the substrate in the trash. I use tanks so I actually use a litter scooper and scoop the substrate into the trash and then to get the dust I use a little shop vacuum.

After that I used paper towels with some reptile cleaning stuff I got from Petsmart made by nat geo. It's cleaning agent is a light citrus acid or something stupid like that. I like it because it doesn't take that much time to air out like with a 1 to 10 bleach to water solution does.

I spray it on the walls and floor of the tank. Wait 5 minutes, then wipe it away. Then I spray plain water and wipe that away too. Then I let it air for a bit while I do the decor.

Basically I just check it for any poop that may have gotten stuck to it without me noticing. Wipe of any smudges with a paper towel that I put that cleaning solution on. Wait a minute or two then rinse it thoroughly.

Water bowl I just clean with a VERY tiny amount of dish soap on a paper towel, wipe it in, rinse it out thoroughly.

Then set everything back up.

Hardcore bleach cleanings are best when we're talking quarantine situations because to be 100% honest the huge fear of disease from germs in the snake hobby is a bit ridiculous. It would probably be just the same if I just rinsed everything off and wiped it away with plain water.

All of the bacteria and fungus that cause problems in snakes is already on the snake, it's already on you the keeper and basically everywhere in nature. The second you put the snake back into it's cage you are putting all those same bacteria and fungus into the cage. What allows these bacteria and fungus to take over and cause diseases is poor husbandry conditions related to feeding, temperature too high/low, humidity with a few species and other such issues.

I'm not saying to let your snake sit in poo definitely clean out poops and all that. But I'm just letting you know to not get too stressed about it.

The most important thing to remember when cleaning is that you want something where the smell goes away. So no pine-sol or other stuff like that. It pretty much limits you to bleach (very very diluted) or commercial products made for reptiles/small animals. Rinse everything thoroughly ESPECIALLY the water bowl.

[frankadank]

thanks guys! i appreciate the tips and advice. it was a successful clean yesterday and even added some fake vines and a climbing stick. i think she loves the newest addition. thanks!