a homemade disinfectant safe for beardie, tank and all items

[jjatdvs]

this post can be made in many different threads but i put it in here...

is there a safe homemade disinfectant that i can use as a spray for the entire tank and all items in the enclosure? even areas of the tank that he may lick later on? i dont want to use bleach or anything very unsafe to use unless very precise amounts are used.

as of right now i have been using Chlorhexidine Solution 2%. but of course this is store bought. i like it, but i have to constantly buy it. i was wondering if there is anything i can make at home that would be just as good?

 

[CooperDragon]

It will be difficult to make a homemade solution that disinfects. I use a mixture of vinegar and water for general cleaning. This does a very good job with stuck material and cleaning most surfaces. It's not a very strong disinfectant though. To disinfect I use a small steamer to clean the tank, furniture, and tile substrate. I know there are a few folks on here who use a veterinary disinfectant with success. F10 I believe its called. It can be purchased in bulk. Here is some extra reading on general disinfectants from Iowa State. http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Disinfection/Assets/Disinfection101.pdf

 

[jjatdvs]

thanks! i just looked up f10, its actually a bit more expensive than a lot of other cleaners... so you use like a regular clothing steamer and a vinegar solution to clean all surfaces? even areas they have pooped and stuff? this would kill any trace salmonella and any other things that may be there?

i do own a pretty good steamer and can certainly make a vinegar solution...

It will be difficult to make a homemade solution that disinfects. I use a mixture of vinegar and water for general cleaning. This does a very good job with stuck material and cleaning most surfaces. It's not a very strong disinfectant though. To disinfect I use a small steamer to clean the tank, furniture, and tile substrate. I know there are a few folks on here who use a veterinary disinfectant with success. F10 I believe its called. It can be purchased in bulk. Here is some extra reading on general disinfectants from Iowa State. http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Disinfection/Assets/Disinfection101.pdf

 

[Taterbug]

A stramer is great and as far as homemade goes would probably be the safest/most effective treatment.

I really like F10 - it's very concentrated so even a small bottle will last ages (2mL per 250mL water I think?) And as a broad spectrum it's effective against otherwise resilient nasties like coccidia. At certain concentrations it's acceptable to airdry without rinsing the surfaces.

The down side is it can be hard to find in the US so the price is up there. They were selling it at my area reptile show for 40$ a small bottle 0.0 You might be able to find something similar though (quaternary ammonium product). You may also be able to get something from your vet.

 

[jjatdvs]

yeah its on amazon right now for about 40 a bottle... the Chlorhexidine Solution 2% that i been using is very diluted too. so a tiny amount makes a large bottle. i may try to buy a bottle of the f10 and see how it gos and how long it lasts me.

A stramer is great and as far as homemade goes would probably be the safest/most effective treatment.

I really like F10 - it's very concentrated so even a small bottle will last ages (2mL per 250mL water I think?) And as a broad spectrum it's effective against otherwise resilient nasties like coccidia. At certain concentrations it's acceptable to airdry without rinsing the surfaces.

The down side is it can be hard to find in the US so the price is up there. They were selling it at my area reptile show for 40$ a small bottle 0.0 You might be able to find something similar though (quaternary ammonium product). You may also be able to get something from your vet.

 

[Taterbug]

This is the one I use - the green one has soaping agents in it and needs to be rinsed. http://www.amazon.com/F10-F10SC-Veterinary-Disinfectant/dp/B00DR25TSG

It's popular with bird owners so it migh be on some bird oriented online stores too.

 

[jjatdvs]

Thanks!

This is the one I use - the green one has soaping agents in it and needs to be rinsed. http://www.amazon.com/F10-F10SC-Veterinary-Disinfectant/dp/B00DR25TSG

It's popular with bird owners so it migh be on some bird oriented online stores too.

 

[Sauzo]

I'm using 2% Chlorhexadine too and the stuff lasts me forever. That's even using it to clean 3 cages, wash my hands inbetween reptile handling and using it to wipe down their tables as well. I love the stuff as its not lethal if a small amount gets on your reptile. I use Zoo Med Wipeout usually every 3rd cage cleaning but that stuff you need to let the cage air out. Also you can buy F10 from Bean Farm as well. They have to SC and the SCXD stuff.