Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whats everyones way of watering their Kings ? Also how do you guys clean your bowls what do you use to do it. Some guys use disposable water dishes . What are ya using and whats the cost ?

Keith
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For my snake, I have this rock water dish that looks natural and is really pretty. I just use my fingers when I rinse it out because it feels slimy inside, and I keep rinsing it until i don't feel anymore slime stuff. If I could go back though and get a new water dish, I'd still get one of those rock ones but have it shaped to fit in the corner.
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~Banana~

I use the disposable route. I use a 4" PVC coupler found at Home Depot or Lowe's for about $0.79-1.00. I buy the 16 oz. deli-cups from a local distributor for about $25 for a case of 500. I give the snakes fresh water at least once a week as I clean, and discard the cups if the snakes defecate in them. It saves a ton of time and really isn't any more expensive than spending $3-5 on a water crock.

I know it's a repeat pic, but it's a good example of the pvc coupler.

Brandon Osborne

Do you ever find that your larger animals turn these over in their cage?

The only time I've ever had turnovers, is when I'm feeding and get that homicidal brooksi feeding response. Other than that, they are always upright.

Brandon

I too use the PVC holder and the clear disposable deli cups and will never go back to any other method.

For my messy snakes (bowl tippers) I simply drill a small hole in the side of the cage/tub and the PVC holder and bolt the holder to the side of the tub with a wing nut. Then the water bowl sits inside the holder. This way, they don't get tipped.

I used to use plastic pet bowls and had about 3 times as many as I did snakes so that I could just put a clean one in anytime one got dirty. Now I simply replace all the water dishes once a week. I figured out that I spend about $0.08 per deli cup at my local restaurant supplier. So it costs me a few bucks a week, but I don't ever have to wash water bowls and that is certainly worth the expense.
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Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

np

Keith, I stopped relying on my dish-washing skills a while ago,lol. Now I use disposable plastic cups ranging from shot glass size(free) to small plant size(25 cent home depot specials)and to keep them from being knocked over I use a glue gun to solder them to appropriately sized ceramic tiles. This is not any fool proof method as the glue does work loose over time.....and when it does I replace the cup. Simple,cheap and effective.Jeff

I think buying new water bowls every other day could get expensive. I rinse mine daily, about every 2 weeks I sanitize them with a solution of dish soap detergent and bleach.
It might be a good thing to have two for each cage and alternate them. Clean and let one dry and be ready to change out.

Just like was suggested. I have 2 for each cage and just swap them out. I use the Van Ness I believe that's what there called, anyways There the 6" water crocks they sell at dollar tree. There nice heavy duty water crocks that can withstand just about anything for a buck.

Jim Baptista

Been so long since I've been here!

I clean mine once a week by rinsing really well with cool water, and then once every few months by putting them in my dishwasher with NO detgergent and then let it run - the water temps. get up really high and will wack or reduce most bacteria that are harmful.

If they foul their bowls I use Quat Plus and then rinse really well. I also do this about twice a year just to make sure they stay clean.

I think it's wasteful to use throw away material all the time. And I've got 14 kings ranging from 28" to nearly 6' and it's just part of the game if you want to keep alot of snakes.

I also clean my hands well in between each bowl to reduce the chance of me transfering a load of bacteria to another snake...this is really important when you have all the same species and closely-related sup-species.

I've got all getula getula and getula floridana, to include blotched so it's really a big deal to me not to transfer too many pathogens between cages - it's going to happen by I try and keep it to a minimum.

I also clean/water from largest snake to smallest snake to avoid getting bitten - not even soap and water can mask the scent of another snake from a king! Nothing makes a king freeze or high tail it to the other end of its cage more than a scent from a larger king!

Keep on Milkin' Hillson! LOL

-John

I only have three snakes, and use heavy ceramic bowls for watering purposes. They are never turned over, are sturdy and large enough for a soaking when the snakes want to be in water, and are easy to rinse clean. I know you must have a ton of snakes, and I'm sure it can be a hassle just taking care of them. Is there someone in your community that you could get to help with some of the unpleasntries in return for learning and getting herp experience? Just a thought.