Cleaning Out The Tank

[Scoots85]

Hey folks,

I have a 10g terrarium for my lil' juvenile gecko. Now everything is going great (I've had him for about a week now) but I was wondering how often should I be cleaning out the tank? I'm using peat-moss substrate if that makes any difference. Oh, and I've easily managed to find the corner where he likes to poop and always have toilet paper placed there for easy clean ups.

 

[gothra]

My geckos live in glass tanks. I spot clean every day, I also have a few layers of toilet paper on the toilet corner for easy clean ups. I do the "big clean" (which includeds wiping the whole tank, washing and baking the wood, hides...etc.) once a month. I wash their water dish 2-3 times per week.

 

[Bling_my_leo]

Take out the peat moss A.S.A.P. Get some thing that is solid.

 

[Scoots85]

Take out the peat moss A.S.A.P. Get some thing that is solid.

What do you recommend?

 

[Bling_my_leo]

I recommend reptile carpet, or for really easy clean up, paper towels. Leos can't have loose substance (sp).

 

[Scoots85]

Ah, I see, because they might eat it?.

Is reptile carpet easy to clean? And what would it cost me (roughly)?

I'll set him aside and clean out the tank tomorrow then place everything back down under a few sheets of paper-towels.

 

[Scoots85]

Done and done! Wiped the inside clean, set down about 3-4 sheets of paper towels on the floor, and then placed everything else back down. Now I just need to purchase a nice moist hide for him (I think he's going to be shedding soon) and that'll be that.

For future reference, what's the most efficient way to clean the inside of the tank? ie. What can I use besides wiping it down with water?

 

[fallen_angel]

You need some kind of disinfectant.. We use disinfecting cleaner and then wash out the entire thing with anti-bacterial soap and water :main_yes:

 

[bubblez825]

For future reference, what's the most efficient way to clean the inside of the tank? ie. What can I use besides wiping it down with water?

10% bleach, 90% h2o mix. From personal experience, that is the most reliable for me. What i do is take my tank outside(its an aquarium) and suirt the bleach mix on the sides and bottom. Them I fill it with hose water, them spray down humid hides, dishes, ect with the bleach mix and put them inside the aquarium. Then i fill it with hosewater, and let it sit outside for 15-20 min. when i go back out I take everything out, dump out the water, refill the tank, and soak everything again in hosewater to get as much bleach off as possible. After all that is done, I take everything and spray it on full blast with the water and rub it with my hands to try to get off any access bleach and then dry it and put it somewhere till i am done with everything else. My life sure is exausting on cleaning days :main_rolleyes: lol

 

[LeoMartin]

I clean his waste up everyday

 

[thekooliest]

What do you recommend?

Tile paper towels or newspapers.

 

[jblayza]

I've tried different substrates and find paper towels to be the easiest for clean up. I've never used repti carpet as I've heard it can hurt the toes and nails can get caught in the carpet. As for cleaning the tank I use Clorox Anywhere spray, it's safe for my kids and pets, but still sanatizes. I just spray the whole tank down, let it set for a while and rinse thoroughly, and do the same for the hides and decor.:main_thumbsup: I do the sanatizing once every 4-5 weeks and spot clean daily.

 

[dunderpate]

I have a 20 gallon aquarium. I clean that aquarium with vinegar and hot water once a month. I bake things like some of the rocks, and wood in the oven for about 20 mins at 300 degrees celcius. I clean his water dish every 2 days again with vinegar and hot water. Basically keep rinsining until you cant smell any vinegar. Im a little scared to use any chemical based cleaning products for fear i might leave some behind and he'll end up licking it off the wall.

 

[Bling_my_leo]

I just wipe down my 20 gallon long with very hot water, then dry it down with a a paper towel.

-Emma

 

[RepBex]

i spot clean every day

clean floor tiles every 2 weeks fully scrub down once a month

 

[starfire8472]

bake things like some of the rocks, and wood in the oven for about 20 mins at 300 degrees celcius.

Little bit of overkill there buddy, that's almost 600 F.

 

[nats]

Little bit of overkill there buddy, that's almost 600 F.

I dont think my oven even gets that hot.
Unless I put it in the broiler!! :main_rolleyes:

 

[OSUgecko]

You can make your own humid hide out of a Gladware container with a hole cut in the top. Put some of that peat moss in the container and add enough water to make it uniformly moist, but not soggy. Voila! Much cheaper than other options and my leos like their gladware hides about as much as their fancy rock hides.