Cleaning and sanitation.

[Axil]

So I have a confession to make. So far the only cleaning I've done in Beebz enclosure is using a damp paper towel to remove feces and wipe up any residue.

I had seen recommendations to use a water/vinegar mix but as vinegar evaporates into VOCs in the form of acetic acid I never felt comfortable using it.

I've also seen recommendations for F10 but am unsure how exactly it's used.

So how, and how often so you guys sanitize your enclosures? Do you use F10 every time you clean feces? Do you remove your dragon when you do this? Do you ever do a full wipedown of all surfaces, including those that are unsoiled? What is your protocol for that?

Oh and if using F10 what dilution is used? It looks like it ought to be either 2ml or 4ml per liter correct?

 

[KarrieRee]

So I have a confession to make. So far the only cleaning I've done in Beebz enclosure is using a damp paper towel to remove feces and wipe up any residue.

I had seen recommendations to use a water/vinegar mix but as vinegar evaporates into VOCs in the form of acetic acid I never felt comfortable using it.

I've also seen recommendations for F10 but am unsure how exactly it's used.

So how, and how often so you guys sanitize your enclosures? Do you use F10 every time you clean feces? Do you remove your dragon when you do this? Do you ever do a full wipedown of all surfaces, including those that are unsoiled? What is your protocol for that?

Oh and if using F10 what dilution is used? It looks like it ought to be either 2ml or 4ml per liter correct?

F 10 should be used once a month unless the dragon has parasites to sanitize the tank -- then it is recommended that you remove the dragon and spray the tank / decor let sit for 10 minutes - I have a 3.4 oz bottle there is a measuring dispenser on the bottle I have https://www.amazon.com/F10SC-Veteri...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I use vinegar/ water 50/50 in a spray bottle used everytime the dragon poops - wiped up w/ a wet dish rag or wet paper towel--

 

[Axil]

Is there a reason to use vinegar over the f10 for the poo cleanup? If the f10 is so safe it seems like that would be less harsh than the vinegar.

When I use vinegar for cleaning around the house I can smell it for a decent amount of time afterwards. After learning how sensitive Dragon lungs are it makes me a little wary.

 

[xp29]

I use chlorhexidine, you can get it at tractor suppy in the horse section. It is a vet and zoo grade disinfectant. You can mix as light as 10:1 i mix a little stronger. It's safe enoght to use as mouth wash and vets pure it straight into wounds so fairly safe. I use it to clean up every poop. I got the spray bottle in the horse section also. It's 20 buck a gallon so will last a year or more.

 

[Axil]

I use chlorhexidine, you can get it at tractor suppy in the horse section. It is a vet and zoo grade disinfectant. You can mix as light as 10:1 i mix a little stronger. It's safe enoght to use as mouth wash and vets pure it straight into wounds so fairly safe. I use it to clean up every poop. I got the spray bottle in the horse section also. It's 20 buck a gallon so will last a year or more.

That's something I hadn't seen before. After doing a quick Google scani came across this:

Low concentration oral forms of chlorhexidine do not typically pose a problem when unintentionally swallowed. However, even when using chlorhexidine mouthwashes or toothpastes as directed, an aftertaste or change in taste sensation might be noticed and can last for several hours. Chlorhexidine is not well absorbed when swallowed, and some stomach irritation or nausea is typically all that will occur after ingestion of small amounts. However, serious adverse effects can occur when larger amounts of chlorhexidine are swallowed.

Looks like it's pretty safe unless Beebz decides he needs to lick it.

The reason I was leaning towards just using F10 is it appears there are no known risks at 1:250 dilution.

From the product safety sheet:

my only concern is this is also on the safty sheet:

i am definitely not thrilled with the prospect of "serious eye damage " either for me or Beebz. I *think* the discrepancy is because they are required to post the warnings for the undiluted product and that's where those warnings are applicable.

Apologize if I'm coming off as argumentative. I'm just trying to make sure I understand the science behind the products I'll be using.

 

[xp29]

No not at all, i wish everyone would put that consideration into the care of beardies.

 

[Axil]

Ok, I'm going to go ahead and use the F10. I bought a premixed 1L bottle to start with. Once it runs I'll buy the concentrate and reuse the bottle so it's easy to keep track of.

I'll use it for spot cleaning without removing Beebz but will leave the surface dry.

For sanitizing the whole enclosure I will remove Beebz and allow to air dry as Karrieree suggested.

 

[xp29]

I was reading data sheet, it looks like it's a form of ammonia, i would recommend making sure there is no fumes after use.

 

[Axil]

*edit* I was mistaken F10SC and F10RTU have the same active ingredient. Benzalkonium Chloride is just a shorter name for alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride

Hmm, yeah I see that and it looks like I may have been incorrect in assuming F10 "ready to use" is just a dilution of F10SC (SC stands for super concentrated I believe) which makes no sense.

Here is the sheet for F10SC:

No ammonia. So wierd.

*edit* I think I managed to attach both safety sheets as pdfs for comparison

 

[KarrieRee]

I was reading data sheet, it looks like it's a form of ammonia, i would recommend making sure there is no fumes after use.

I use this all the time and have never smelled any fumes at all --- I stuck my head in the tank to make sure you couldnt smell anything -- been using this for years

 

[xp29]

I haven't used it personally, i just saw dimethyl ammonium chloride listed as an ingredient so i was just giving a "just in case" because ammonia fumes themselves are toxic. If there isn't any smell then pretty much a moot point

 

[xp29]

Interestingly one pdf list the ammonium as an ingredient the other doesn't.

 

[Axil]

I use this all the time and have never smelled any fumes at all --- I stuck my head in the tank to make sure you couldnt smell anything -- been using this for years

Yeah and it looks like the one you linked doesn't contain any ammonia. It's only the "ready to use" which does.

Which is bizarre because on the manufacturer's website they stayed that the ready to use is just a dilution of the SC.

I suspect they reformulated the ready to use to be more shelf stable or something. Now the amount is 0.02%. So in reality I don't know if it would be possible to smell it either way.

Interestingly one pdf list the ammonium as an ingredient the other doesn't.

Yeah the RTU is the one that has it. I guess I'll be mixing the SC in it's own bottle.

 

[Axil]

So I was wrong... again sorry!
Benzalkonium chloride is another name for alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride so F10RTU is indeed just a dilution of F10SC

 

[xp29]

Either you copy and pasted that or your a friggen genius lmao .