First Tank Cleaning

[Jay_Bunny]

Well I just took Zim out of his tank and put him in the large container they sent him home in and cleaned the tank out. He had gone to the bathroom what looked like once, though bits and pieces were scattered. I took that out along with newspaper and scrubbed out the bottom of the tank with warm water. I then placed fresh newspaper in and put his hides back. I cleaned out his water dish and put fresh water in. Anything else I should be doing for the weekly cleaning? I know that I'm supposed to clean the tank really well once a month with diluted bleach, but just for the weekly cleaning, should I be doing anything else?

Also today is the day I'm supposed to feed him. He got fed last Sunday. Would it be ok to feed him today since I've cleaned his cage?

[Shelby]

Warm water isn't going to do a very good job of cleaning. I'd recommend getting either chlorhexadine solution or Virkon S (I use the latter). Just spray on the cage and everything in it and wipe clean. For your monthly disinfection, just let the stuff sit for 10 minutes.. no need for bleach. Bleach is nasty stuff anyway, have to be careful with it.

Here's a link if you want to get some Virkon S.. the stuff works really well, and you need to mix it up fresh every week. (the tub will last you forever with just one snake)

http://www.qcsupply.com/Products/2389.aspx

[Jay_Bunny]

So you can mix a gallons worth and it lasts a week? Is there any way to mix smaller amounts of it? Seeing as I only have one snake, a gallon of cleaner is too much for one cleaning.

[recycling goddess]

ya, you would just do the math and figure out how to make a small amount

[Jay_Bunny]

Yay for math.

Well my grandmother is going to the store sometime soon to pick up some bleach. I can use this until I can get the other stuff. I will make sure that when cleaning out the cage that I rinse rinse rinse until I can't smell the bleach anymore. That's normally what we did when I volunteered at an animal rescue and we were cleaning thier bowls.

[Shelby]

Oh yeah I only mix up a quart each week.. there are directions on the tub.

[BD1]

I also use the Chlorhex and mix the appropriate amount in a gallon spring water jug and set it aside. I then fill a spray bottle with the solution as needed until the gallon is empty and then I just make another gallon. It works out great and the spray bottle is ideal for spraying out water dishes, fake plants, decorations etc. I think the bleach solution is too toxic for cleaning, even if it is incredibly diluted. I know my vet uses the Chlorhex and confirms it is safe so why mess with using bleach.