Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a couple 3-foot boaphile cages last December, with expandable ends so I can connect them into one 6-foot cage. I tried doing this last night and found that the bolts and nuts had corroded & rusted in place. I got them loose, but it took a lot of prying with 2 sets of pliers, and I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to prevent this from happening again. I don't want to put WD-40 or anything like that on the nuts/bolts, because I'm pretty sure that's toxic. Is there a non-toxic solution?

Also, what is the best product to use for cleaning the plexiglass doors of my boaphiles? I've been using Nolvasan to clean the insides, but every once in a while I end up with crud on the plexiglass. I recall one product not being safe to use on the plexi because it makes it yellow and crack, but I can't remember if it's Nolvasan or Windex that is unsafe.

thanks!
Ronnie Nocera

Now that you have them off, replace them with Stainless steel bolts.

No windex on plexi, dunno about nolvasan.

>>I bought a couple 3-foot boaphile cages last December, with expandable ends so I can connect them into one 6-foot cage. I tried doing this last night and found that the bolts and nuts had corroded & rusted in place. I got them loose, but it took a lot of prying with 2 sets of pliers, and I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to prevent this from happening again. I don't want to put WD-40 or anything like that on the nuts/bolts, because I'm pretty sure that's toxic. Is there a non-toxic solution?
>>
>>Also, what is the best product to use for cleaning the plexiglass doors of my boaphiles? I've been using Nolvasan to clean the insides, but every once in a while I end up with crud on the plexiglass. I recall one product not being safe to use on the plexi because it makes it yellow and crack, but I can't remember if it's Nolvasan or Windex that is unsafe.
>>
>>thanks!
>>Ronnie Nocera
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks! We went & bought some SS nuts & bolts tonight, so hopefully they'll hold up better.

Ronnie

Don't use any cleaner that contains ammonia. Water and a little dish detergent with a soft rag or sponge works really well. There are also plenty of commercial cleaners that do not contain ammonia.

Also do not rub the doors with a dry rag. I really like acrylic for doors, but it can scratch easily.

Take your hardware to a hardware supply and match them up with stainless steel replacements and you will be good to go.

>>Don't use any cleaner that contains ammonia. Water and a little dish detergent with a soft rag or sponge works really well. There are also plenty of commercial cleaners that do not contain ammonia.

Little off topic here. I refrain from using any ammonia based products for cage cleaning. That being said I love Windex and have always used their products, so I use their vinegar based product for my glass.

I don't know how the vinegar based product affects plexy.

Cheers
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile
Specializing in Boa Morph's

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

I was definitely referring to ammonia free window cleaner, not actual Windex brand. . . I guess I should have been clearer. I wouldn't dream of using ammonia based products in my snake cages!

So far, I've just been using a damp rag to clean it, but I guess I'll try some detergent in the water next time.

thanks!
Ronnie

Ammonia is also harmful to the acrylic. Over time it will yellow and craze.

I used Nolvasan for a long time on acrylic seemingly without issue, but then changed to warm water and dishsoap. The latter is definitely benign to plastics of all sorts. You will be happy protecting your investement by using soap and water on your acrylic doors.
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Mark