How do I Sterilize/ Disinfect a Styrofoam background?

[tlbowling]

I recently bought an Exoterra terrarium off of craigslist. The guy told me he used to house Cresteds in there and they "dried up and died" (in his words not mine) I guess they did dry up, the top is actually melted from a heat lamp! It must have been pretty hot in there!

Anyway, I have no problem disinfecting the terrarium, I'll use a solution of bleach and water. But is there a way to disinfect and sterilize the nice rock styrofoam background? Or should I just be safe, throw it away and get a new one?

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

That's so sad! I wish people would understand BASIC care before getting a pet. :main_no:
Could you submerge it in boiling water for 10 minutes? Or maybe pop it in the microwave for several minutes with a mug of water?
I'm curious, too!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Styrofoam is a very porous material and can retain some hidden moisture from a sterilizing solution, such as a bleach mixture. IMO you are better off tossing it and having peace of mind.

 

[UnicornSpirit]

I wouldn't microwave it unless it states it is microwave safe. Styrofoam melts VERY easily in the microwave.

I would just toss the foam- it's easy enough (and fun) to make your own brand new and unique form.

That's so sad! I wish people would understand BASIC care before getting a pet. :main_no:
Could you submerge it in boiling water for 10 minutes? Or maybe pop it in the microwave for several minutes with a mug of water?
I'm curious, too!

 

[tlbowling]

Yea the styrofoam is too large to boil or fit in the microwave (not that I would've done the microwave sterilization procedure) I guess to be safe I'll just toss it, it's not worth jeopardizing the health of my own geckos. Since I can only guess what his husbandry was like.:main_no:

 

[sausage]

i would toss it to but replacing them is a lil pricey lol. but cleaning them is quite easy i use a zoo med disinfect spray for mine. you just spray it all over and leave for 5mins then wash off with warm water. i put the warm water in a spray bottle as the pressure helps push the crestie poo off without messing up the paint and stuff.
also with the exoterras *always* place ur bell tops on the front section of mesh as the back one is a bit close and will cause melting of backgrounds. (i learnt that lesson lol )

 

[tlbowling]

i would toss it to but replacing them is a lil pricey lol. but cleaning them is quite easy i use a zoo med disinfect spray for mine. you just spray it all over and leave for 5mins then wash off with warm water. i put the warm water in a spray bottle as the pressure helps push the crestie poo off without messing up the paint and stuff.
also with the exoterras *always* place ur bell tops on the front section of mesh as the back one is a bit close and will cause melting of backgrounds. (i learnt that lesson lol )

Thanks for the advice about the lights :main_thumbsup: I think I will toss them, but Im not going to buy the exo terra background again, it would defeat the purpose of buying the terrarium off of craigslist. I will either make my own, or maybe do a natural color tile backdrop of some kind? Can I use self adhesive vinyl tile? By the time I add all the other decor I dont think it'll stand out that much. I was just wondering if that was a safe alternative, and how hard it would be to get the self stick tiles off, if I get tired of it, and want to switch it out?

 

[sausage]

Thanks for the advice about the lights :main_thumbsup: I think I will toss them, but Im not going to buy the exo terra background again, it would defeat the purpose of buying the terrarium off of craigslist. I will either make my own, or maybe do a natural color tile backdrop of some kind? Can I use self adhesive vinyl tile? By the time I add all the other decor I dont think it'll stand out that much. I was just wondering if that was a safe alternative, and how hard it would be to get the self stick tiles off, if I get tired of it, and want to switch it out?

self adhesive tiles are a great idea! i use them on the floor but that would be great on the back :main_thumbsup: