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Bleach tank/water bowl?

J

JakeMiller13

New member
I cleaned my cage last night for the first time since I got my snake (besides the initial cleaning I did with dish soap/water). I sprayed the cage with a bleach spray - I apologize I don't have the bottle in front of me so I don't remember the type, but I believe it was Clorox - and the water bowl, but got really nervous when I couldn't get the bleach scent out of the water bowl. I rinsed the cage 4 times with soaking wet paper towels and that got rid of the scent there, but after soaking the water bowl in a bowl of hot water for ~1 hour, it still stank, so I disposed of it. I got a new water bowl today and was just wondering how I should go about cleaning it to make sure it's really clean. Thanks.
 
I've read somewhere about an extremely watered down bleach solution working, like 1 to 10 bleach to water. Double check the forum using search though to find it before you go on my word.

I've used just a dash of bleach to a 3/4 full 5 gal bucket of hot water and let it air for a day, but I also have a spare viv to house in while mine dries. Don't take my word as scripture on this, but I'm pretty sure thats the mixture someone suggested. Thats where I got my mix amount from, but its a little hard to get specific with a 5 gal bucket of water. So I just let it air until I can't smell any more bleach, which usually takes a day or so.
 
I believe the 1:10 ratio is correct. Recently I have been using Clorox wipes to wipe out my tubs. Rinse extremely well and allow to air dry, if possible.
 
Rinse it and allow it to air dry really good. That should be fine. A real 1/4 cup of bleach to gallon is good for cleaning snake tanks. Understand that 1/4 isn't a whole lot of bleach. In reality it is only 4tbsp of bleach, so that it's mild and enough to clean and sanitize.

oldsnow said:
I've used just a dash of bleach to a 3/4 full 5 gal bucket of hot water and let it air for a day, but I also have a spare viv to house in while mine dries.
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Steer clear of the hot water when working with the bleach. It actually neutralizes it. That's something I learned back when I worked in the kitchen and had to get my food safety certificate.

Good Luck

Wayne
 
I don't exactly have another full tank to keep my snake in while I let it air dry, so last night I fed him and left him in the feeding chamber while I cleaned out the cage. I don't want to leave him in there too long because it's not heated (literally just a small plastic cage with a snap top).
 
A good thing to do is go to Walmart and pick up a good steralite container with a locking lid. They usually run from 3-7 dollars. Poke or burn some thin air holes in it for ventilation. You can easily house the snake in their while the tank air dries, use it as a feeding bin and you may even discover that these make better habitats than most ten gallon tanks.

They hold in the humidity which help with shedding. They are more easily temperature controlled and far easier to clean.

Here are a links to show you what I mean:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-34-Quart-Latch-Box-Clear-Lime-Set-of-6/10401051

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-7-Quart-Latch-Box-in-Clear-Lime-Set-of-14/10401048

In the links, they show you the price in sets. Individually is a lot cheaper.

Good luck again

Wayne
 
Wayne,

Thanks for the info/links. I actually have a (~3 gallon) plastic lock-top cage that I feed my snake in, I was just worried about leaving him in there for extended periods of time, especially after feeding. Any suggestions/recommendations on how long I can keep him in the unheated tank?
 
That's going to depend on the ambient temperature in your house. Corns need regulated heat, but as long as their ambient temps are within their nominal range, 70-90F, they should be fine for a few hours to a day.

I'm not sure what you are using for heat, but if you use a heat mat (UTH), you could transfer it to the latching tub until the tank dries. If not, then you could pick one of those up for around $10-$12. Couple that with a $1-$3 rheostat (dimmer switch) and you have yourself another inexpensive set up.

Wayne
 
Just noticed that you are in Cambridge MA. It's nice to see another New Englander on here. I live just north of you, right on the border actually, in NH.

Wayne
 
I've lived in Massachusetts for my whole life, minus the 4 years I went to school in NY. My parents recently moved to New Mexico and my grandparents lived in California. After seeing quite a few places around the country, I wouldn't want to live anywhere but here.

Also, just an FYI. Just checked the bottle I was using to clean the cage/waterbowl, and it's "Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach," containing 1.84% Sodium Hypochlorite (a.k.a. bleach). That's only ~1 part bleach per 50 parts "other ingredients" which i hope is mostly water, but much less than the 1:10 suggested, so I'm pretty sure it would be safe.
 
I usually just fill up the spray bottle and then add two teaspoons of bleach. Seems to work pretty well (I do the same thing for my turtle's viv). Usually after a thorough rinsing and an hours worth of drying it is scent free. I dont use it on the water bowl though, so I cant help you there.
 
i normally just boil a pot of water i know it seems a bit over board but i know his hides and dishes are clean !
 
JakeMiller13 said:
I've lived in Massachusetts for my whole life, minus the 4 years I went to school in NY. My parents recently moved to New Mexico and my grandparents lived in California. After seeing quite a few places around the country, I wouldn't want to live anywhere but here.
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I agree that the North East is great. I'd like to see some more of the country though, be keep the roots set up here. I did get to see a few military bases. Mostly Fort Sil, but thats another story for a another day. Short response to that is I won't be going back to Oklahoma any time EVER! LOL!

Also, just an FYI. Just checked the bottle I was using to clean the cage/waterbowl, and it's "Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach," containing 1.84% Sodium Hypochlorite (a.k.a. bleach). That's only ~1 part bleach per 50 parts "other ingredients" which i hope is mostly water, but much less than the 1:10 suggested, so I'm pretty sure it would be safe.
Click to expand...

That seems to a good mixture. A good rinse and allowing to air dry will work just fine.

Good Luck and nice meeting you!

Wayne
 
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