Question

What chemicals are deadly to snakes? I heard bleach is but I want to make sure I know as many cleaning products that are absolutely dangerous for them as I would hate to harm my little babies!
Thank you,
Billy

I only use F-10 for disinfecting cages etc... its a veterinary Disinfectant.

I like to use vinegar diluted with HOT water, then re-rinse in HOT water again. I have heard many people say they use bleach and water (1:10) to clean tanks, and mild dish soap to clean hides and water dishes.

I use bleach sometimes, but I can honestly say I don't really like using it. Then they sell reptile habitat cleaner which is awfully expensive and I'd be curious to see how much it actually works. I've heard of F-10 and may try it sometime, but I want to do some searching on it first.

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Originally Posted by Neal

I use bleach sometimes, but I can honestly say I don't really like using it. Then they sell reptile habitat cleaner which is awfully expensive and I'd be curious to see how much it actually works. I've heard of F-10 and may try it sometime, but I want to do some searching on it first.

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My sister in in school to become a vet, and she can talk for hours on disinfectants.

She says that most vet clinics use chlorhexidine to sterilize kennels/exam tables/anything that doesn't fit into their autoclaves. 2% chlorhexidine is readily available to the public, then there is 4% solution that is much harder to find. When diluted properly chlorhexidine can even be used as mouthwash for dogs, or as an antiseptic on wounds.

F10 costs more than chlorhexidine so it isn't used as much, but she says that they use it on the really nasty stuff. If they get an animal in the clinic that has something highly contagious they pull out the F10 to get the job done.

I've used both in my cages and have had good results with both.

With chlorhexidine I use double the recommended strength (recommended = 1 oz 2% solution per gallon of water) It works well and a gallon jug lasts a long time.

F10 is a much stronger chemical. Still safe but I wouldn't mix it much stronger than the recommended dilution. (5ml per liter of water) I prefer F10, but it is pretty costly.

I use chlorhexidine on a weekly basis (when the cage is messy) and F10 once a month for deep cleaning.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

My sister in in school to become a vet, and she can talk for hours on disinfectants.

She says that most vet clinics use chlorhexidine to sterilize kennels/exam tables/anything that doesn't fit into their autoclaves. 2% chlorhexidine is readily available to the public, then there is 4% solution that is much harder to find. When diluted properly chlorhexidine can even be used as mouthwash for dogs, or as an antiseptic on wounds.

F10 costs more than chlorhexidine so it isn't used as much, but she says that they use it on the really nasty stuff. If they get an animal in the clinic that has something highly contagious they pull out the F10 to get the job done.

I've used both in my cages and have had good results with both.

With chlorhexidine I use double the recommended strength (recommended = 1 oz 2% solution per gallon of water) It works well and a gallon jug lasts a long time.

F10 is a much stronger chemical. Still safe but I wouldn't mix it much stronger than the recommended dilution. (5ml per liter of water) I prefer F10, but it is pretty costly.

I use chlorhexidine on a weekly basis (when the cage is messy) and F10 once a month for deep cleaning.

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Aaron since you know about t chlorhexidine, find it on eBay and send me a link please. I'd love you forever.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Aaron since you know about t chlorhexidine, find it on eBay and send me a link please. I'd love you forever.

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This is where I get mine:

http://www.amazon.com/Bimeda-Inc-Chl.../dp/B00061MU9W

Here is an eBay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chlorhexidin...item1c32942e37

This 1 floz per pump dispenser is really nice to have when using chlorhex:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/1-oz-pump-dispenser

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

This is where I get mine:

http://www.amazon.com/Bimeda-Inc-Chl.../dp/B00061MU9W

Here is an eBay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chlorhexidin...item1c32942e37

This 1 floz per pump dispenser is really nice to have when using chlorhex:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/1-oz-pump-dispenser

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I appreciate that Aaron. I'll have to order tomorrow.

I've used vinegar / hot water solution to clean rodent cages with good results... It tends to really help dissolve stuck-on substances, etc.

I typically use chlorhexidine to clean the reptile cages, but remember reading somewhere that the solution only stays good for a few days once mixed in water (not sure if this is true or not). I like the chlorhexidine, has no smell and seems to do a good job, but doesn't really tend to dissolve stuck-on messes as well.

I like that the chlor. can be sprayed on tank decor (branches, etc.) and left to air-dry instead of having to wash off.

I use soap / water to clean bowls, etc. and it seems to work fine as long as I rinse well.

Artgecko

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I've used vinegar / hot water solution to clean rodent cages with good results... It tends to really help dissolve stuck-on substances, etc.

I typically use chlorhexidine to clean the reptile cages, but remember reading somewhere that the solution only stays good for a few days once mixed in water (not sure if this is true or not). I like the chlorhexidine, has no smell and seems to do a good job, but doesn't really tend to dissolve stuck-on messes as well.

I like that the chlor. can be sprayed on tank decor (branches, etc.) and left to air-dry instead of having to wash off.

I use soap / water to clean bowls, etc. and it seems to work fine as long as I rinse well.

Artgecko

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I wouldn't think it would go bad once mixed.

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Originally Posted by Neal

I wouldn't think it would go bad once mixed.

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It does actually. How long it takes depends on the TDS of the water (total dissolved substances) the purer the water the longer it lasts. It also needs to be stored in tightly sealed containers.

RODI/distilled water is best and will give you a few weeks.

Activated carbon filtered water is good, you will get about a week

Most city/well water will give you a few days.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

It does actually. How long it takes depends on the TDS of the water (total dissolved substances) the purer the water the longer it lasts. It also needs to be stored in tightly sealed containers.

RODI/distilled water is best and will give you a few weeks.

Activated carbon filtered water is good, you will get about a week

Most city/well water will give you a few days.

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What about tap water boiled? That's basically the method for distilling.

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Originally Posted by Neal

What about tap water boiled? That's basically the method for distilling.

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Boiling water will work if you are recapturing/recondense the steam.

Boiling water won't work if you are talking about the water still in the pot.

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Originally Posted by Neal

What about tap water boiled? That's basically the method for distilling.

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You would need to be able to catch the steam that comes from boiling the water in order to get distilled water.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Boiling water will work if you are recapturing/recondense the steam.

Boiling water won't work if you are talking about the water still in the pot.

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Originally Posted by Ronin

You would need to be able to catch the steam that comes from boiling the water in order to get distilled water.

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Yea, a pot of water, with a glass bowl floating, then the top upside down with ice sitting in the top and it'll condense up top then fall back into the bowl. That's distilling :P I just didn't feel like typing the whole thing.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Yea, a pot of water, with a glass bowl floating, then the top upside down with ice sitting in the top and it'll condense up top then fall back into the bowl. That's distilling :P I just didn't feel like typing the whole thing.

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gotcha!! lol:gj: