Cleaning my geckos tank?

twitch · #1 12-03-2011, 07:08 PM

Hello everyone my gecko seems to be doing well and all but I have a question about cleaning his tank and hope you can help. I was cleaning my geckos tank today and notice I dont really do anything with the leaves exempt soak them in warm water should I do anything else? thanks in advance

Spyral · #2 12-03-2011, 11:24 PM

Hot soapy water will work on plastic plants. If you need to sterilize you can use a 1:10 bleach solution (10 parts water to one part bleach).

stellarawesome · #3 12-04-2011, 01:45 AM

I really only concern cleaning the plants if they happen to have a good bit of poop or food on them. I'll spot clean them with water, but then about every three months or sooner I'll soak them in the 1 parts bleach 10 parts water solution.

After I put them in that solution, I pull them out, shake them off, then hose them down to wash out any of the bleach part solution. Then I let them dry and replace in tank.

raiderchick · #4 12-04-2011, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitch

Hello everyone my gecko seems to be doing well and all but I have a question about cleaning his tank and hope you can help. I was cleaning my geckos tank today and notice I dont really do anything with the leaves exempt soak them in warm water should I do anything else? thanks in advance

I spray them with that wipe off cleaner and rinse them very well in hot water. Haven't had any issues with it. I change bedding 2-3months though I probably will more often since he's getting bigger as are the poops

twitch · #5 12-04-2011, 10:24 AM

Thank you guys! You really helped a lot!

lauraleellbp · #6 12-04-2011, 11:16 AM

I use a big plastic bin, put it in my shower, fill it with hot water and a little bit of Dawn detergent (bleach and I don't get along very well- the fumes always get to me). Then I soak all the decor in that while I'm cleaning the cage, and use a brush to clean off any hardened poop. I rinse really well under cold water to make sure I get all the soap residue off afterwards. I do this once every few months. In between, I spray everything with Chlorhexadine disinfectant during cleaning.

EGRobbins · #7 12-14-2011, 10:50 AM

We have had a crestie for the past 3 months and have been using sea salt (no iodine) and water to rinse off the plants and glass in the cage.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #8 12-14-2011, 11:48 AM

I put plastic/silk plants in the dishwasher. Dishwashers are made to reach a certain temp that will kill most bacteria. So you'll be sure that it'll be truly clean. Dish soap is mild and non toxic. Water dishes, humid hides, etc can all go through the dishwasher as well. All of that stuff should be cleaned on a regular basis whether it has poop on it or not. Just because you don't see poop doesn't mean there's not bacteria.

twitch · #9 12-14-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

I put plastic/silk plants in the dishwasher. Dishwashers are made to reach a certain temp that will kill most bacteria. So you'll be sure that it'll be truly clean. Dish soap is mild and non toxic. Water dishes, humid hides, etc can all go through the dishwasher as well. All of that stuff should be cleaned on a regular basis whether it has poop on it or not. Just because you don't see poop doesn't mean there's not bacteria.

And the dishwasher wont ruin the plants or anything right?

**Riverside Reptiles** · #10 12-14-2011, 01:06 PM

I've never had an issue with it, but I can't guarantee you anything. I'd put them on the top rack where it's a bit more gentle.