Lids On VS, Lids Off

[Montypython696]

You make a great point dillan. It makes for disinfecting a lot easier, than scrubbing the underside. Never thought of that one.

[therunaway]

I would do lids off, and go with the golf tee idea. Saves time.

[PitOnTheProwl]

ask kitedemon about cleaning racks

[MarkS]

I've done it both ways and while I prefer lids off, the lids on is much more secure. I built one rack that I designed using sterilite 6 qt tubs with the lids on, and I discovered afterwards that I can also use the rubbermaid 6 qt tubs (which are just a little bit taller) in the same rack with the lids off. So now I can use lidless rubbermaid tubs for the baby ball pythons and I can use sterilite tubs with the lids on for baby colubrids in the same rack. It's convenient.

[771subliminal]

I left lids off and used storm window clips to hold in the tubs. screw them in so they just move freely and you never have to worry about losing them and they automatically lock when you close the tub all the way

[kitedemon]

Thanks Rob, I wish I had lids, anything to save the massive cleaning efforts. I firmly believe in disinfecting correctly. (read the instructions and follow them) The only way I have found to do so with a lidless rack is to remove all the heat tape disinfect each shelf and side flip the rack upside down and disinfect the 'top' and than dry it out return everything and finish up. It takes a day of effort I do this every two months I just can't bring myself every month. I would NEVER again have a rack with out lids. The time saving is monstrous! I figure 6 hours ever cleaning.

Incorrect disinfecting has been linked to not only disinfectant resistance in bacteria, virus. But antibiotic resistance as well (even if the bacterium has never been treated with that antibiotic) This is a HUGE reason to push for correct disinfecting practices!

spotlessly clean - saturate with disinfectant- wait the correct contact times

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Thanks Rob, I wish I had lids, anything to save the massive cleaning efforts. I firmly believe in disinfecting correctly. (read the instructions and follow them) The only way I have found to do so with a lidless rack is to remove all the heat tape disinfect each shelf and side flip the rack upside down and disinfect the 'top' and than dry it out return everything and finish up. It takes a day of effort I do this every two months I just can't bring myself every month. I would NEVER again have a rack with out lids. The time saving is monstrous! I figure 6 hours ever cleaning.

Incorrect disinfecting has been linked to not only disinfectant resistance in bacteria, virus. But antibiotic resistance as well (even if the bacterium has never been treated with that antibiotic) This is a HUGE reason to push for correct disinfecting practices!

spotlessly clean - saturate with disinfectant- wait the correct contact times

The method I use, which may help...

I take a garden sprayer with F10 diluted mix and put it on a fine mist. I spray the top and bottom of each shelf, wait about 10 minutes and wipe it off. At first it was a big pain because my arm couldn't fit all the way back. Now I use what looks like a large swiffer, but it's a cotton cloth instead. I use it to easily wipe the top and bottom of each shelf. The heat tape is water resistant, since it's covered with plastic - but I still turn off the power, try my best to keep it dry and wait for it to totally dry before I turn the power back on.

I'm always looking for better ways to disinfect though, this is my current 'best' solution.

I used to keep lids, but it became a pain having to lift off the lids when feeding.

This seems to work for me, for now - may work for you

[SquamishSerpents]

I do something similar to Ricky, except I actually DO use a swiffer, lol! For my female racks, at least. I'm a tiny person (height-wise...haha!) so my arms aren't very long. I can manage cleaning to the back of the upper part of 34/28 quarts, but not the CB70s, lol.

[kitedemon]

I use f10scxd wash with hot water (1:250) and a sponge to wash the full area and rinse with water two or three times. (As per the instructions) Then F10sc to disinfect but the instructions say to flood the area. I was spraying but it requires many repeats I found flipping it over I could soak the area and not need to constantly re apply on the upper surface. I have tried everything but the detergent then water rinse and saturated disinfectant upside down I found far easier.

Failing to clean first renders disinfectants neutral. With the amount of liquids I find it easier to remove the heat tape completely water soaks under it and around the connections and makes me uneasy. The new heat tape (TNG) I just got a sample of is not sealed at all so there is no question of it needing to be removed.


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[PitOnTheProwl]

The new heat tape (TNG) I just got a sample of is not sealed at all so there is no question of it needing to be removed.

Not to change the subject but I wonder how hard it would be for you to seal?
Maybe "liquid electrical tape"?