May be a stupid question...

But going ask anyways... whats the longest you should go inbetween changing substrate. I mean that as in cleaning the tank changing. I haven't changed my ball python and red tail boas in around 2.5-3 months. When they defecate and urinate, I scoop out a big chunk of it. Then replace what I take out. But, when would be a good time to change the entire thing? Theyre not getting any skin infections, or anything like that. Just asking to be asking. Read that every 6 months is good. But, wana know for sure...

Personally for all the reptiles and amphibians I've worked with (in rescue's at work) and at home (BP). I was always pretty rigorous about spot cleaning, and did a full clean (replace substrate) every 30 days / once a month.

Gives you a good chance to check up on everything, and rework anything that needs to be done at the same time.

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Originally Posted by Navaro

Personally for all the reptiles and amphibians I've worked with (in rescue's at work) and at home (BP). I was always pretty rigorous about spot cleaning, and did a full clean (replace substrate) every 30 days / once a month.

Gives you a good chance to check up on everything, and rework anything that needs to be done at the same time.

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Totally agree with this, also depends on your substrate it may need 2X a month, or more.
What are you using?

I have pretty good luck with spot cleaning and wiping with Chlorhex. I think we end up replacing full substrate every 3 mo or so.

I'm with the other folks here. I spot clean when I notice, but I dump it all, clean/disinfect the tub/tank and put in fresh bedding about once a month. The LIQUID part of things tends to sink to the bottom and spread out, and sometimes they do things like crawl through the poop or bury it as they crawl around.

That said, I've got colubrid's too and they NEED things cleaned up a LOT more frequently than the BP.

I usually do a spot clean the day after feeding,because my snakes usually go within 24 hours of eating, then average l do a full cleaning about once a month.

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Originally Posted by JohnNGriffin

But going ask anyways... whats the longest you should go inbetween changing substrate. I mean that as in cleaning the tank changing. I haven't changed my ball python and red tail boas in around 2.5-3 months. When they defecate and urinate, I scoop out a big chunk of it. Then replace what I take out. But, when would be a good time to change the entire thing? Theyre not getting any skin infections, or anything like that. Just asking to be asking. Read that every 6 months is good. But, wana know for sure...

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I think that is often enough. That's what I do and my BP is perfectly healthy! :) Of course doing it more often wouldn't hurt, too.


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I clean about every two weeks and always after a shed because my snake makes a mess! However, I use paper towels and they are harder to spot clean. Some times I can't stand watching my bp slither all over his urine and feces. So that is why I clean about every two weeks. When I clean during those times though, I don't bleach, I just replace the paper towels.

When he sheds I usually bleach everything (hide, water bowl, log). He sheds once a month. So that is when I really clean the tank.

Once a month for deep cleaning :)

I honestly dont fully Replace but, i do spot clean when needed and every 1-2 months depending on snake and what it has done (Urates easy to clean.. Wet pee more substrate absorbed)

But what I do is throw out any defecated area, and surroundings

Then every 1-2 months I take out all my substrate(coco husk) And dump it all in boiling water. and let sit for 1-2 mins, I then take out and squeeze/let it dry.

Once dried i place back in cage. (Just to get any of the urine i may have missed, or any pesky bacteria from FT rats. or w.e there may be)

Been doing this for the last 6 or so months and has worked amazing (I do keep a can full of it, to replace while other substrate is soaking/drying and just recycle it)

Since it is so bacteria and mold resistant I do not feel the need to just toss it out, If it can be cleaned like that, And my snakes have been happy!

Having 28 snakes, and the 70series tubs do require about 1/3 to 1/2 a brick of coco husk. Every month would become quit costly if i did that way. So i just attempted this one to see, and its worked fine!

I like to disinfect with f-10 and change bedding once a month maybe a little much but I would rather have a clean tub and health snakes than risk bacterial infections. It can get expensive but I use inexpensive bedding I buy from amazon the brand is called kaytee 8 cubic feet last a LONG time usually buy 16 cf at a time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No spot cleaning here...Everyone is on paper and it gets changed completely as needed...I have spare tubs clean and filled with paper ready to go...They get a whole new tub and I clean the top of the shelf in the rack too.

They also get a new water bowl that has been scrubbed and disinfected.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...2012-10-20.jpg

snakes are checked daily, whenever there's a mess, the dirty tub is pulled out and replaced with a fresh one with new paper substrate. dirty tub is washed, dried, and lined with fresh paper ready for the next job.

Hmmm...

If you are replacing a good chunk of bedding when you spot clean, that is a good thing! *May* not require as often a severe thorough disinfecting. However, I am thinking of the care of your vive as well. For example, my PVC gets stained -- kinda looks like an oil stain -- from liquid urates. So, to keep the PVC in tip-top shape, I do a thorough cleaning with vinegar about every 4-8 weeks depending. I TRY to do it every 4 or 5 weeks, but sometimes ends up being a couple later...

If you have a larger vive, that will be a factor to consider. Or if your snake goes in the water dish... or on your lap... then may not need to change as often. ;)

But as it has been said on this forum many times, it is better to be proactive than reactive, and not wait for an issue to appear before it is taken care of.

All the best!

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whats the longest you should go inbetween changing substrate.

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It's not about how long you should go, this will vary from one person to another based on the substrate used.

It's about common sense and clean your enclosure when needed.

Keep in mind that unsanitary conditions do lead to scale rot.

Every month or two max, with very thorough spot cleaning. Unless I feel it's been a messy month.

I personally follow the rule of thumb of spot clean when necessary, and fully clean housing once a month