Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to know how all of you clean all your tubs. I personally don't have nearly as many as some of you but wondered what your method of cleaning tubs actually is. Just curious.
Thanks
Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino RTB -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's -Coming Soon-
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Spot cleaning I pull the snake, pull the paper (or wood bedding) wipe it down with a damp papertowel reload it. For full on cleaning I pull all the snakes into new tubs (or holding tubs depending which tubs I'm cleaning) then I pile them up, take them outside (even in winter) lay them all out and turn the hose on them, wipe them down with a towel, flip them over to dry (or towel dry if winter) then bring em all back in.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

I do a similar method myself however in winter it is much to cold in the great white north to venture outside and clean tubs. I don't think I could get them wet let alone dry before it froze. Currently in the winter I clean them in the tub like a big load of dishes. I do them in the summer that way to because well I'm to lazy to take them outside. I clean my rat tubs outside not the snake tubs. Thanks for the input.
Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino RTB -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's -Coming Soon-
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

I spot clean and replace the bedding regularly but I also switch out tubs and do more thorough cleanings as needed or at least quarterly. I wash the tubs with soap and water, rinse and then spray them with Nolvasan (Chlorhexidine diacetate). If you do not have this product then use a bleach solution but rinse thoroughly and let dry for a day or two. I finish up by going over them real well with a steam cleaner.

Before I got my steamer I was using ammonia. I had lost a few animals and it was obvious I had some type of pathogen or virus getting into my collection. I never diagnosed it but the increase in hygiene along with quarantine measures did the trick and the problem ceased. I used ammonia in case I had crypto in my collection. Ammonia and steam are the only two methods I could find listed that were effective against it. Ammonia must be thoroughly rinsed away and the tub should sit for a couple days before reuse.

I use these same methods on water bowls except I often use ammonia instead of steam. I keep clean water bowls in reserve. I have non-disposable hide boxes for a few of my animals and I clean these as needed but they always go back to the same animal that was using them in the first place.

If you have a small collection you should be able to get by with spot cleaning and more thorough cleanings with a mild bleach solution. Do not use bleach for, or around, sensitive animals like salamanders.
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Randy Hallman

Randy,
When I used to use bedding I used to spot clean, I may go back and begin again with bedding. Curently I use paper which is cheaper and easier. However there is no such thing as spot cleaning. When they make a mess it is simply easier to remove all the paper clean the tub and re-use new paper.

I clean much in the same way you mentioned soap and water. Accosionally I clean with chlorhexidine when the tub is not actually visually dirty.

I never thought about the ammonia idea. I may incorporate this in a quarterly cleaning schedule.

I really wanted to know if anyone was using a short cut I have not thought of yet.

Thanks for your response
Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino RTB -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's -Coming Soon-
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Pro Exotics sells it over the net. Get the gallon of concentrate - way cheaper in the long run. A little goes a long way. Cleans very well, disinfects with no odor. I use it around the house too.

I may have to check that stuff out.
Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino RTB -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's -Coming Soon-
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse