Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Jeff, a sterilizing question for you. I am using the Chlorhexidine and the steam cleaner. Works great on the Visions and plastic boxes for the racks but I think it will discolor the old Neodeshas I have. I have a bunch of them that I thought I would sell (2',3',4' and 6') and buy more Visions to standardize but having some second thoughts.(took such a long time to save/aquire them) I thought you had mentioned that you also still have Neos. If so, how do you sterilize them to your standards, especially against scary crypto. (I've used bleach for years)
Thanks,
Bob.

Hello, Bob,

It has been a long while since I last used Neodesha enclosures and I was using diluted bleach and soap to clean them. Back then, we didn't have all of the options we have these days.
Have you tried using the steam cleaner on an inconspicuous area of a Neodesha?

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

the heat seems to discolor it. Thanks Jeff.

If you are having trouble using the steam cleaner on your Neodesha enclosures, it may be some consolation to know that it really does not require a great amount to heat to eradicate Cryptosporidium serpents, as the organism appears to have difficulty surviving within temperatures greater then 120*F.
Keep in mind, C. serpents is not a common problem and one would be more likely to incur problems arising from Entamoeba spp..
If you harbor concerns regarding C. serpents, allowing your Neodeshas to dry in direct natural sunlight should help put your mind at ease, as UV irradiation is known to be quite effective in eradicating the organism. Also, ozone has been recognized as one of the most effective means of inactivating Cryptosporidium oocysts and I have, on occasion, placed an ionizer within my enclosures after cleaning them. Of course, this was prior to introducing the snakes back into their enclosures.
Also, QACs (quatenary ammonia compounds), as have been discussed on the forum, have shown to be effective in the fight against C. serpentes.

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Thanks Jeff,

Maybe it's time to sell them and standardize with the Visions. I appreciate your input.
Bob.