Let's Talk Disinfectants

[guidofatherof5]

I know there are a lot of products out there (worldwide). I was wondering what you use?
If you can post a photo and/or link to your product so we can read about it, that would be great. If you use different products for different jobs please list them all.
I'll get things started with what I currently use.

Bioshield- It is rather pricy in my opinion.
Pro-Products | BioShield (http://www.pro-products.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=59)

[CrazyHedgehog]

I use washing up liquid and an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly...and rinse again!!

When I do a full tank scrub, I use a mild bleach solution, (literally a splash in a bowl of warm water) but again, I rinse thoroughly and rinse again and finally wiope down with a hot damp cloth and dry before resetting tanks.

[guidofatherof5]

I use washing up liquid and an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly...and rinse again!!

When I do a full tank scrub, I use a mild bleach solution, (literally a splash in a bowl of warm water) but again, I rinse thoroughly and rinse again and finally wiope down with a hot damp cloth and dry before resetting tanks.

I little more description please. That sounds like hand soap to me.

[indigoman]

I use zoo med wipe out 1 for my major total cleaning. I follow up with a cleaning using Natural Chemistry Healthy Habitat on all items located in the encloser.They have a Wipe Out 2 for disinfecting and cleaning all cage furniture items but healthy habitat does the job cheaper.

[Stefan-A]

This for those very rare situations where something actually needs to be disinfected:
Virkon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virkon)
Virkon-S to be specific. I soak everything from tongs to fake plants and spray down or rinse enclosures with it. But like I said, only when something needs to be disinfected. That's not often. It certainly isn't something I'd do routinely.


This stuff for routine cleaning of water and food bowls and non-porous hides. I also prefer to use this when it's time to really scrub down the enclosures. It's only for cleaning, it doesn't disinfect anything.
Fairy (brand) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Liquid)

[Greg'sGarters]

I use F10 SC Veterinary Quality disinfectant. It is VERY strong so a little bit will last for a while. It is a hospital grade disinfectant. It is also non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-irritating and aldehyde free so has no adverse effects on people, animals, equipment or surfaces. For general disinfection you add 2mL for every liter. For high level disinfectant you add 4mL per liter (this will eliminate bacteria, fungi, and most viruses). For disinfecting surfaces contaminated with the most resistant viruses you add 8mL per liter (this should kill resistant viruses like Parvovirus or PBFD). I would strongly recommend it. It is a little pricey but is worth every penny.

Source: Pro Exotics ::... (http://www.proexotics.com/store/product.php?productid=16279)

I buy 100mL bottles here - F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant 3.4oz (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/reptile-medications-mite-sprays-and-cleaners/-/f10sc-veterinary-disinfectant-34oz/) - one 100mL bottle is enough to make up to 50 liters (a little over 13 gallons) of disinfectant!

[infernalis]

to be honest, I don't disinfect my caging, and am strongly considering switching to all bio active enclosures.

[Greg'sGarters]

to be honest, I don't disinfect my caging, and am strongly considering switching to all bio active enclosures.

I used to not disinfect my tanks. But nowadays I always have extra tanks, just in case, that get stored in my garage or outside, where bacteria can get to them. I don't want any harmful outside bacteria to come in contact with my inside snakes. So when I need a tank, I will get the correct size from my garage/outside, rinse it out, wash it with dish soap and water, rinse that off, and bring it into my office where I spray it down with the prepared F10 SC diluted solution, and wipe down the glass with that.

[CrazyHedgehog]

I little more description please. That sounds like hand soap to me.
sorry, dish washing liquid, like Fairy, but Asda's own brand, usually used for washing your dinner dishes etc. just tiny bit in warm water...

[guidofatherof5]

sorry, dish washing liquid, like Fairy, but Asda's own brand, usually used for washing your dinner dishes etc. just tiny bit in warm water...

Thanks for the clarification Inge.

[chris-uk]

I wash out vivs with washing up liquid, and rinse well. I also use it for washing bowls and hides.
I don't disinfect as a routine weekly or monthly activity, but each time I strip the viv back to bare glass I make a call, so probably once every six months. When I disinfect I've been using an anti-bacterial surface cleaner (a bit like Milton fluid that you use for baby stuff), but I plan to switch to use F10 disinfectant - F10Biocare - Product Information - F10SC (http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/sc.html)

After I took Nobby out of quarantine the tub she was in got a steam clean as well as disinfectant.

[Magnarock the 2nd]

I use ammonia + water. Im mainly disenfecting feeding containers and water bowls. Ammonia kills crypto.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks to everyone that has posted so far. Let's keep it going.;)

[Selkielass]

Hot water.
Dish soap or laundry detergent, if something like a plant or dish is stained and needs a soak.
Weak bleach solution for stained rocks, glass etc when really necessary.
Wood sometimes gets boiled in a big kettle or baked in an oven if I want a really clean enclosure for wounded snakes or quarantine.
More and more my wild caught snakes are living in bi-active habitats with wood and bark from my own back yard, complete withisopods etc. Good results so far, but im still watching closely for adverse effects.
My Captive born snakes are kept more traditionally- I don't want to rush exposure to unfamiliar organizing
s. The w.c. snakes have seen it all before.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Citrus II is what I currently use to clean enclosures. Only because I still have some from when I bought it all on clearance at my job. When I run out I will likely go to something like stefan.... I'm with him on this one.

[d_virginiana]

I use vinegar and hot water. I'm paranoid about leaving traces of cleaner in my pets' tanks. The vinegar isn't as hazardous as some cleaners if some gets left behind, and I can smell when I've got it all out.

[johnc79@hotmail.com]

I use F10 it's great value for money and I use it on vivs, feed bowls ect and seems to do the job. I have also used washing up liquid with no problems . I was told it was bad for snakes so have not used it since but I have seen no proof myself on if it is bad for snakes or not.

F10Biocare - Product Information - F10SC (http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/sc.html)

[guidofatherof5]

I use F10 it's great value for money and I use it on vivs, feed bowls ect and seems to do the job. I have also used washing up liquid with no problems . I was told it was bad for snakes so have not used it since but I have seen no proof myself on if it is bad for snakes or not.

F10Biocare - Product Information - F10SC (http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/sc.html)

I want to make sure I understand your post.
You've heard that washing up liquid or F10 was bad for snakes?

[guidofatherof5]

I think I should have titled this thread "Let's Talk Disinfectants & Cleaners"

I don't believe killing every germ is needed or even good for the snakes. I think a certain amount of germs is necessary for them to strengthen their own immunities.

[chris-uk]

I don't believe killing every germ is needed or even good for the snakes. I think a certain amount of germs is necessary for them to strengthen their own immunities.

It's a sound principle, same as for us and our children, it's not good for an immune system to grow up in a sterile environment.

[johnc79@hotmail.com]

I want to make sure I understand your post.
You've heard that washing up liquid or F10 was bad for snakes?

Washing up liquid, but have seen no proof to be fair.

[guidofatherof5]

Washing up liquid, but have seen no proof to be fair.

Thanks.