Cleaning cage

[ProXimuS]

I've read, at least, the substrate should be changed every week. Is that about right? Or is it more or less depending on how dirty it gets? Obviously I wouldn't want to wait till it's filthy to clean, but will occasional spot cleanings suffice and possibly changing substrate every 2-3 weeks and scrubbing out the cage? He's little and the only one in there and so far hasn't made much of a mess. Although I did already clean out his cage once just to be on the safe side.

[guidofatherof5]

You'll need to figure out what works for you. I do a lot of spot cleaning since the substrate I use alerts me to what needs removed.
Then the whole thing gets changed every month.

[Steveo]

I used to use newspaper, which required weekly changes. As I got more snakes I didn't have enough newspaper so I started buying Carefresh. Now I kind of treat it like a cat's litter box - frequent spot cleaning and occasional full-changes. When I do a full change I give the bottom a quick scrub, and every 6 months or so I'll take everything out and disenfect with dilute bleach.

[Dan72]

I haven't nailed down a substrate yet, still on paper towel. I get a little obsessive when it comes to certain things, so the routine I find myself in now is I get home from work first thing through the door in the morning or first thing when I wake on days off, and I change out the paper towels, wash down the fake plants, and change the water. Don't know if this is too often, but I figure you can never be too clean, and I have to get in there everyday to give fresh water anyway.

[guidofatherof5]

Unless it's stressing the snake.

[Dan72]

Unless it's stressing the snake.

I don't think (hope) it is Steve. I can place my hand flat on the bottom of the tank, palm up, and she will crawl right up into my hand now. She likes me......

[thamneil]

I like loose substrates... better in most ways. The cleaning aspect is my favorite! Just scoop the poop and you're good for a while. I like to do a thorough cleaning about once a month. But it really depends on how many snakes you have in how big of an enclosure. You have to figure out what works for you.

[katach]

We use aspen from the feed store (little bigger shavings and better quality than walmart) and we spot clean daily and full clean every 2-3 weeks. We have several snakes in one enclosure though.

[InsanePirateDragon]

I'm using reptibark with a bit of the carefresh mixed in certain places as a test at the moment, been spot cleaning when I find it. I usually change out the bedding every month. Might mix it with the coconut husk that I keep hearing about that sounds really nice.

But the quarentee tank gets paper towels, and added a bit of carefresh for experimenting, so that I can watch for poo and make sure everything's working. And that gets changed every other day.

Yeah I'm paranoid...

[EasternGirl]

Yes...I think you will find that with most substrates you can spot clean for quite a while and then just do a substrate change and throrough cleaning of the tank about once a month. I think it is something that you learn to detect...when a tank needs to be cleaned thoroughly. I spot clean and kind of do a visual sweep everyday to look for signs that the tank needs a more thorough cleaning. I also stick my head in and smell the tanks regularly. With Cee Cee...her tank doesn't get very dirty in terms of feces and urates, but I can usually smell her enclosure getting a musk like smell every couple of weeks and then I know it needs a cleaning. My albinos like to do their business under the substrate a lot...so I have to sift around through it and check the bottom of the tank to know when it needs a proper cleaning. Seeley's tank can go a long time without a full cleaning...he doesn't make much of a mess at all. Spot cleans go a long way with him. Do make sure to check the water for changing frequently though...water will get slimy. I check water dishes every couple of days.