dissinfecting old tank

[JOHNNY45421]

i have an old 10 gal tank in my garage, it was last used as a hermit crab tank, and when they all died, we just put the tank in the garage. it's been there for about 2 years, and i just wanted to know how to or if it's even a good idea to try and clean it out for a new bp?

[lord jackel]

The good news is that most common nasties that would affect an animal wouldn't survive 2 years sitting in a dry dusty glass tank (even they have to eat )


You could wash it down with soap/water real well...then bleach it just to be safe.

On a side note 10 gal are so cheap these days ($5 on sale around here) why bother? Unless you are really tight for money (and if so you should reconsider getting a snake) then I would just buy a new one. You could also use a rubbermaid (or other) tub and set a new snake up that way...with better heat/humidity control versus a tank.

Good Luck

[sweety314]

Leave the bleach on the surface for about 5 minutes, then rinse VERY thoroughly and you'll have a good starter tank. It takes more work, but humidity and heat maintainance CAN be done in a tank.....just more work.

LOTS of threads on how to set up a tank for a baby ball. Just understand that you'll have to eventually get something bigger for your pet. Balls aren't one of the species that can live in a 10g permanently.

[JOHNNY45421]

thanks for ur imputs, and the cheapest 10 gallon tank around here are about 50 dollars, where do you live? i need to go there. so, yeah, i'm not pinched for money, but i have a tank, and i dont want to spend 50 dollars on something i already have. but thanks for ur reply.

[Kagez28]

$50 for a tank???... is it incrusted with jewels? thats nuts. i would check out craigslist there are usually alot of aquariums on there.

[SnakieMom]

Walmart has 10 gal. tanks for $10. The only thing you need to buy is a top.
Usually a good pet store will have a screen top with clips for about $3-$7.

OR, you can stop by a lowes, or home depot and grab a piece of plexi-glass and cut it down to the size of the tank. Then just drill a few holes in the top, and you're all set.

[frankykeno]

A 10% bleach solution will pretty much kill any nasties around. Fill the tank right to the top with this, let it sit for a number of hours then drop the level somewhat, put on some rubber gloves and get scrubbing (watch for splashes in your eyes, wear glasses!) Pay close attention to the join of the glass to the plastic/metal frame around the top, crap gets stuck in there as well as the corners. Once it's well scrubbed, rinse, rinse and rinse again with clear water. Let the tank sit overnight then double rinse again the next day. Wipe clean with some paper towels and you are good to go and should have a very clean and usable tank.

[Krazy99CL]

petco has and petsmart usually has some for 10 or so dollars for a 10gal. Just get a tub from walmart or target. Lowes might have some to. Well lowes here has some for less than 10dollars with a lid. cant beat that.

[frankykeno]

Whatever lid you have make sure it's got very good clips or buy extra ones. Snakes are escape artists and your average tank lid isn't usually secure enough without some additional clips. Personally I like the metal framed mesh lids, a bit more expensive than the plastic ones but far stronger and you can purchase black metal lid clips (2 to a package, rated by tank size) at any major pet store chain.

[sweety314]

The two piece clip set is MUCH easier to use than the 4-piece...the 4 piecers have little tabs you have to tuck up under the tank lip then snap the clip onto. What a PITA!! One of my sets, the little tab keeps falling out of the tank lip and it's VERY annoying! MUCH easier to just bend the clip and snap it on.

With Oreo, when she escaped, I went from two on the lid, to TWO PER (long) SIDE and now there isn't ANY problem.