Sanitizing help

[beardieluv]

Hey everyone =] Haven't been on here in a while, I just bought Charlie some slate tile for his tank, and was wondering what i should sanitize it in? I'm not sure what the bleach to water ratio should be, or if i should even use bleach. Any help is appreciated.

 

[ajkry2]

i use a weak ammonia solution, soak for a while, scrub for a while, the soak in hothothot water. then scrub and dry once more. no problems so far

also a steam cleaner works well

 

[jeschardies]

I use an approx. 10/1 water/bleach ratio. I soak soiled tiles in this hot mixture for a while, thoroughly rinse and rinse again, then I put the tiles out in the sun to air dry. We have extra tiles that are kept in the rotation. We do this with all parts of their enclosures. I use a spray bottle with this solution for the interior during thorough cleans and we soak everything that they need cleaned......

I'm sure there are better things to use, but this one is cheap, convenient and works so far.....It does however eat at the plastic bins and brings the plastic to begin to rub off very slightly......we use these bins for feeding and clean them often.

 

[mickeysmomma]

I use the same bleach ratio for everything too.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

I would use ether ammonia or steam or both.

 

[diamc]

Moved here from General Discussion forum

 

[beardieluv]

Thanks everyone! =]

 

[ajkry2]

question... i've been using ammonia on advice of others without asking this:

why ammonia and not bleach?

 

[cyberdrone]

Copied from http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Disinfectants.html

Ammonia - (Oocide)
Ammonia products are irritating to the skin and to the respiratory tract. Do not mix with bleach as toxic fumes will be released and can harm you and your reptile.
Advantages: effective against Cryptosporidia, coccidia, and mycobacteria.
Disadvantages: causes respiratory irritation, ineffective in the presence of organic material, and has a foul odor.
Dilution and Contact Time: 10% solution, 30 minutes.

Chlorine - (Household bleach, Clorox, Purex)
Bleach is harsh, but very effective. Bleach can create toxic fumes, especially in a heated environment, and can lead to chemical pneumonia, skin and eye irritation, burns, and even death. Please use with great care and caution. For bleach to be most effective, use the solution at a temp of at least 65 degrees F. Using at temp below 50 degrees cuts the effectiveness in half. Chlorine functions by oxidizing proteins and nucleic acids. Do not mix with ammonia as toxic fumes will be released and can harm you and your reptile.
Advantages: low cost, easily available, will kill most bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and mycoplasmas, and is a potent deoderizer.
Disadvantages: very caustic to tissues and equipment, not effective against Giardia, rapidly inactivates in the presence of organic debris, loses its effectiveness quickly when diluted, prolonged contact may be required for heavy sterilization, must be used in a well-ventilated area, not effective against spores, corrosive to metals, deteriorates fabrics, and must be rinsed off well.
Dilution & Contact Time: 1:10 (10% solution), 10 - 15 minutes.

 

[ajkry2]

well, that was great!!

thanks