Help! Parasites in previously used tank?

Hey everyone, I'm planning on bringing home an adult Ball Python soon and I've got what I feel like is a somewhat complex question...I also feel like I might be over reacting at least a little bit...anyway....

About a year and a half ago I bought a juvenile Bearded Dragon from a big chain pet store. After a prolonged battle with poor health little Opie (think Sons of Anarchy) passed away about a month ago. I think his death started with a parasite issue...he showed signs of dehydration that I couldn't seem to get him out ahead of. There then appeared to be signs of impaction towards the end...hind legs not functioning to their full potential...things like that.

Working under the consideration that parasites MAY have played a part I have a question...

I've already thrown out all of his old decorations and hides/climbing toys... Should I be concerned about parasites still being in the tank though? I wiped the tank down a warm wash cloth last night...I was afraid of using any sprays/soaps/chemicals...

I'm basically trying to determine if I should consider investing in another tank or if this one should still be ok? Should I use a soap/cleaning agent that any of you can think of? I'd prefer not to have to replace the tank...its a 40 gallon that I just bought not that long ago...

Any help/suggestions/thoughts/etc are greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to bring my new Royal home tomorrow...so I'm kind of on a time crunch.

Thanks in advance!

-Alex

When in doubt you can do a mixture of bleach and water (i dont remember the dilution ratio off the top of my head), spray the tank down and scrub it with that. I do that with all my enclosures for monthly cleaning as well. Just make sure you get it all cleaned and aired out.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

When in doubt you can do a mixture of bleach and water (i dont remember the dilution ratio off the top of my head), spray the tank down and scrub it with that. I do that with all my enclosures for monthly cleaning as well. Just make sure you get it all cleaned and aired out.

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I totally agree. I know chemicals are bad when it comes to a lot of things but my mom taught me that bleach is your best friend! Use some hot water, soap and bleach and scrub that baby clean. Just let it air out for a while and it will be fine. I've done it many times with my 40 gallon. :)


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Another vote for using bleach. You can leave the tank outside in the sun to let it air out once you rinse it.

A chemical-free option is to get a hand-held steam cleaner to sanitize the tank since hot steam will kill off eggs quickly, but you'll want to avoid the super-cheapo models since they don't work very well.

I ended up going with a chlorine free bleach that I found at a super market here in town. For those of you here that have a Publix near them it's their Greenwise Chlorine Free Bleach. It says the 'bleaching agent' is hydrogen peroxide and is thereby biodegradable since hydrogen peroxide degrades into simply water and oxygen.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

10% Permethrin mixed 1oz/gallon will kill anything mite related. Spray 3 times, 3 days apart and then a month later for good measure.