A duplicate deal

[Snagrio]

By utter chance, came across a Craigslist add of someone rehoming a number of animals, but they also listed a PVC enclosure. Turns out, it was an AP T10, the exact same as the one my BP is in, plus a Pro Products RHP and VE-200 thermostat. Even has the built-in locks. It was a roughly 3 hour round trip, but I got it for $280 which is a great deal.

Going to wait for a day I have off with decent weather to give it a thorough cleaning/sanitizing. Eventually plan to use it as a "pre-adult" setup for a growing VBB (between living in a baby/quarantine tub and the final adult enclosure). A bit short, but I'll see about adding climbing shelves and maybe a sky hide.

[Snagrio]

Instead of making a new thread I'll just ask this here. Is F10 good enough for cleaning/sanitizing? Can also use dish soap as well (would prefer not to use bleach if I can help it).

[Bogertophis]

Instead of making a new thread I'll just ask this here. Is F10 good enough for cleaning/sanitizing? Can also use dish soap as well (would prefer not to use bleach if I can help it).

Nope, not IMO. When I see a used cage of any kind for sale, I always ask myself "I wonder what the previous occupant died of?" and I start getting visions of crypto & IBD hiding in every nook & cranny. Get it? We've thoroughly discussed how to sanitize such acquisitions here previously- at the moment I don't have time to repeat it all.

Dish soap yes- first to remove all dirt & grunge, otherwise disinfectants don't even work well.

After that: Diluted bleach is highly recommended-kills the most stuff- must be rinsed thoroughly of course. This is best done outside or in the garage, & isn't my idea of fun, but necessary IMO.

Then: use things like F10, or even spray on rubbing alcohol & let it dry. Using multiple methods to disinfect (every inch of this thing inside & out!) is the safest for any future occupant. DO NOT COMBINE THEM to save time & energy either, by the way.

[Snagrio]

Nope, not IMO. When I see a used cage of any kind for sale, I always ask myself "I wonder what the previous occupant died of?" and I start getting visions of crypto & IBD hiding in every nook & cranny. Get it? We've thoroughly discussed how to sanitize such acquisitions here previously- at the moment I don't have time to repeat it all.

Dish soap yes- first to remove all dirt & grunge, otherwise disinfectants don't even work well.

After that: Diluted bleach is highly recommended-kills the most stuff- must be rinsed thoroughly of course. This is best done outside or in the garage, & isn't my idea of fun, but necessary IMO.

Then: use things like F10, or even spray on rubbing alcohol & let it dry. Using multiple methods to disinfect (every inch of this thing inside & out!) is the safest for any future occupant. DO NOT COMBINE THEM to save time & energy either, by the way.

I see. I'll just have to wear long rubber gloves then, and clothing that I won't care about getting stained.

And for the record, I am taking extra precautions and am keeping it as far away from my BP as possible until it can get cleaned 3x over. The plan is to just spend a day out on the driveway cleaning it, but I'm waiting until the weather isn't barely above freezing because winter around here never ends when it's supposed to.

[Bogertophis]

Old clothes are the greatest invention...

[Malum Argenteum]

Nope, not IMO. When I see a used cage of any kind for sale, I always ask myself "I wonder what the previous occupant died of?" and I start getting visions of crypto & IBD hiding in every nook & cranny. Get it? We've thoroughly discussed how to sanitize such acquisitions here previously- at the moment I don't have time to repeat it all.

Dish soap yes- first to remove all dirt & grunge, otherwise disinfectants don't even work well.

After that: Diluted bleach is highly recommended-kills the most stuff- must be rinsed thoroughly of course. This is best done outside or in the garage, & isn't my idea of fun, but necessary IMO.

Then: use things like F10, or even spray on rubbing alcohol & let it dry. Using multiple methods to disinfect (every inch of this thing inside & out!) is the safest for any future occupant. DO NOT COMBINE THEM to save time & energy either, by the way.

If cryptosporidium is a concern, then 6% H2O2 (not the stuff in drug stores) might be the only effective disinfectant. A quick search didn't turn up any documentation regarding C. serpentis, but I assume it is relevantly similar to human C. parvum.

https://ehs.cornell.edu/sites/defaul...osporidium.pdf

Arenaviruses (that cause, among other things, IBD) are enveloped viruses and are thus pretty easy to kill. Ethanol 70% would be my choice, since bleach is harder to deal with.

[Albert Clark]

The only effective eradication of cryptosporidium serpentis is ammonia. I’m not sure of any written solution concentration. I have used a 70/ 30 parts dilution as a preventative. You may want to consider putting the whole unit into a extra large 40 gallon trash bag and spraying proventamite as well. Tying off the garbage bag for 24 hrs. Once you pull the unit out of the bag let it sit and air out for another 24 hrs. Wear a mask as well. By the way, that’s the surface eradication of crypto.

[Snagrio]

My question at this point is, what about the electrical components? How do I clean that stuff without potentially ruining the circuitry?

[Bogertophis]

The only effective eradication of cryptosporidium serpentis is ammonia. I’m not sure of any written solution concentration. I have used a 70/ 30 parts dilution as a preventative. You may want to consider putting the whole unit into a extra large 40 gallon trash bag and spraying proventamite as well. Tying off the garbage bag for 24 hrs. Once you pull the unit out of the bag let it sit and air out for another 24 hrs. Wear a mask as well. By the way, that’s the surface eradication of crypto.

Thanks! I knew I left something out. And they make much larger "contractor bags", I buy them for my leaves.

@ Snagrio: if all this sounds like a LOT of work, that's because it is. Normally I'm very big on recycling, but when it comes to snake cages, knowing what's out there, and how hard it is to get into all the crevices that enclosures or even tanks have (not to mention how awkward it is to handle the large ones), well, I'm just glad this one's yours, not mine.

[Albert Clark]

My question at this point is, what about the electrical components? How do I clean that stuff without potentially ruining the circuitry?

Cover all your electric connections with “ press and seal” then use zip lock bags over that. Use caution when wiping down around those electrical parts. It’s not like you’re planning to submerge the unit or douse it with any large amount of liquid. Just be extra careful around those connections.