what do you use to disinfect?

[GrifTheGreat]

when doing a "total cleanout", i would use only bleach and water. It is safe if used right, cheap and easy to obtain, and is more effective in killing germs, bacteria, mold, etc than anything else available. There is no problem with using bleach. Do not spray your frogs with it or put your frogs in a tank that has bleach in it. That is common sense. It is not for just getting rid of parasites for QT, the frog can also get bacterial infections from inproper cleaning/sterilization of a tank. So whether or not my frogs have or do not have hookworms, the cleaning process would be the same for me.

This is going to sound bad to most people, but is the truth. Some exposure to bacteria and other pathogens is actually good. Now I am not saying that people should improperly cleanse their frogs enclosure. Like us the build up immunities through exposure. Parasites of course don't quite count because the only immunity to them is something that is found to be inedible or a deterrent. Kind of like how Garlic and Hot pepper eating prevents mosquitos and ticks, but bacteria and viruses have to be present to create resistance. This is what strengthens the frogs immune system. If the entire tank is always germ free(which is impossible) and the frog never gets exposed to such things then it will be at a disadvantage when it actually does get sick. Wipe Out contains alcohol which can be smelled unmistakably when sprayed. Alcohol is a disinfectant with killing properties that don't cease until the alcohol evaporates. Bleach loses its disinfecting properties the very moment it comes in contact with organic matter, but is still toxic to animals. It could be argued that both are equally as good as the other in disinfecting as the y both kill in the same way and both lose the ability to do so rather quickly.

Either could be used in a serious scrub down. Just one is more messy than the other. Germs of course mutate and build up immunities as well(ex. the Flu) People who use hand sanitizer all the time can become sick and are more likely to due to the fact that they don't actually get exposed to pathogens like someone who just washes their hands with soap and hot water. Super germ are created all the time because they must adapt like we do to survive.

I hope this is understood and not taken as me saying that its ok to not clean your frogs home properly, but there is no one picking up behind them nor washing their environment down with antibacterial and fungicides in their natural setting. It all comes down to when you come in contact with your frog. Make sure you're hands are clean and YES definitely disinfect, but either cleanser is just as good as the other as long as used directly and of course while using common sense.

[Ra]

The best and safest to use is probably Nolvasan which is chlorhexidine.

[Ra]

This is going to sound bad to most people, but is the truth. Some exposure to bacteria and other pathogens is actually good. Now I am not saying that people should improperly cleanse their frogs enclosure. Like us the build up immunities through exposure. Parasites of course don't quite count because the only immunity to them is something that is found to be inedible or a deterrent. Kind of like how Garlic and Hot pepper eating prevents mosquitos and ticks, but bacteria and viruses have to be present to create resistance. This is what strengthens the frogs immune system. If the entire tank is always germ free(which is impossible) and the frog never gets exposed to such things then it will be at a disadvantage when it actually does get sick. Wipe Out contains alcohol which can be smelled unmistakably when sprayed. Alcohol is a disinfectant with killing properties that don't cease until the alcohol evaporates. Bleach loses its disinfecting properties the very moment it comes in contact with organic matter, but is still toxic to animals. It could be argued that both are equally as good as the other in disinfecting as the y both kill in the same way and both lose the ability to do so rather quickly.

Either could be used in a serious scrub down. Just one is more messy than the other. Germs of course mutate and build up immunities as well(ex. the Flu) People who use hand sanitizer all the time can become sick and are more likely to due to the fact that they don't actually get exposed to pathogens like someone who just washes their hands with soap and hot water. Super germ are created all the time because they must adapt like we do to survive.

I hope this is understood and not taken as me saying that its ok to not clean your frogs home properly, but there is no one picking up behind them nor washing their environment down with antibacterial and fungicides in their natural setting. It all comes down to when you come in contact with your frog. Make sure you're hands are clean and YES definitely disinfect, but either cleanser is just as good as the other as long as used directly and of course while using common sense.

In the enclosed enviroment of the terrarium, what starts out as a small exposure to a pathogen quickly becomes a serious build up.

[GrifTheGreat]

In the enclosed enviroment of the terrarium, what starts out as a small exposure to a pathogen quickly becomes a serious build up.

Yes, which is why we disinfect with each cleaning. I prefer to clean and change out bedding every 2 weeks, but that is not necessary and is the safest way to prevent infection and possible Txting Out Syndrome from ammonia build up due to the frogs urine. I can go longer and do, but when it comes to baby frogs I change more often and disinfect each time. Never do I just empty and rinse out the tanks without them being disinfected or scalded. I will not dis infect if I'm swapping substrate that has become too wet from my frog splashing all the water out of it water dish though. That only takes one time and usually just rinse out the enclosure with scalding hot water and wipe it down before replacing everything back. This usually happens within small critter keepers I have and the substrate isn't even a week old.

[mrzoggs]

This is why we disinfect with bleach instead of other cleaners since bleach will kill more than most other cleaners. It is best to get out as much as possible when disinfecting a tank.

Unlike some of us on here, most people who have amphibians/reptiles for pets do not clean their tank as often as they should. Heck ill admit, in the past i didnt either. When they finally clean their pets tank, it is best to go ahead and use bleach as apposed to any other product, since it is more effective. Im sure there are more effective ways of cleaning a tank, but they are not as cheap and easily available as bleach. And with any cleaner, i would rinse just as much as if i were using bleach, but i would be more confident with using bleach. Zoo Med is just as harmful as bleach. Alcohol on your frogs will kill them too.

[mrzoggs]

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/par...ization-2.html

a little bit of searching goes a long ways.

plenty of people suggest bleach. bleach is basically one of the cheapest, most effective ways. Seems that neither of them kill 100% though.

[TeeRiddle]

I have used a product called Healthy Habitat for my bearded dragon enclosure, but not sure if it's safe for amphibians.

[GrifTheGreat]

I have used a product called Healthy Habitat for my bearded dragon enclosure, but not sure if it's safe for amphibians.

I've seen this product, but have never used it. Most that are not safe for amphibians will say so, but not all.

[GrifTheGreat]

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/par...ization-2.html

a little bit of searching goes a long ways.

plenty of people suggest bleach. bleach is basically one of the cheapest, most effective ways. Seems that neither of them kill 100% though.

yeah there is always some kind of super germ that seems to survive the most potent disinfectant.

[GrifTheGreat]

This is why we disinfect with bleach instead of other cleaners since bleach will kill more than most other cleaners. It is best to get out as much as possible when disinfecting a tank.

Unlike some of us on here, most people who have amphibians/reptiles for pets do not clean their tank as often as they should. Heck ill admit, in the past i didnt either. When they finally clean their pets tank, it is best to go ahead and use bleach as apposed to any other product, since it is more effective. Im sure there are more effective ways of cleaning a tank, but they are not as cheap and easily available as bleach. And with any cleaner, i would rinse just as much as if i were using bleach, but i would be more confident with using bleach. Zoo Med is just as harmful as bleach. Alcohol on your frogs will kill them too.

Yes, but alcohol evaporates much faster than bleach so less likely to leave any behind. I'm very thorough with cleaning my tanks. I leave nothing behind. Alcohol was once used to euthanize amphibians, but no longer. It is extremely deadly even in the smallest amount, but like you said the same can be said about bleach.

[mrzoggs]

there are plenty of things that would euthanize a frog that i would not use for cleaning. It may evaporate faster but im not going to give it the chance to evaporate. A bathtub and a drinking cup do perfect for rinsing. I would rinse as well when using alcohol as i would when using bleach. Also bleach is cheaper and more effective, so i see no need to use alcohol. And most alcohol you buy in stores is not pure alcohol. Usually it is +-50%. You can get a better alcohol in walmart "isopropryl" iso for short. It comes in a clear bottle with a red label and its something like 90%. Not sure exactly the percent but i know its pretty strong. Still not as effective as bleach when it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing, but is better than some rubbing alcohol you find in other places. Either will kill your frog, the thing is that bleach is more effective at killing germs. I would take the same precautions when rinsing with both of them but id definitely rather remove more germs so bleach is the best way to go.

[GrifTheGreat]

there are plenty of things that would euthanize a frog that i would not use for cleaning. It may evaporate faster but im not going to give it the chance to evaporate. A bathtub and a drinking cup do perfect for rinsing. I would rinse as well when using alcohol as i would when using bleach. Also bleach is cheaper and more effective, so i see no need to use alcohol. And most alcohol you buy in stores is not pure alcohol. Usually it is +-50%. You can get a better alcohol in walmart "isopropryl" iso for short. It comes in a clear bottle with a red label and its something like 90%. Not sure exactly the percent but i know its pretty strong. Still not as effective as bleach when it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing, but is better than some rubbing alcohol you find in other places. Either will kill your frog, the thing is that bleach is more effective at killing germs. I would take the same precautions when rinsing with both of them but id definitely rather remove more germs so bleach is the best way to go.

I have 8 frogs now and with my job it becomes much to time consuming to do as much rinsing that would be required with just a cup. I would feel safer using a garden hose. You can only get 100% alcohol for chemistry and the same for higher concentrations of peroxide.

No argument that bleach is great for disinfecting. The Wipe Out does not require rinsing and I've used it since I started. No problems at all. It kills the main pathogens to worry about, but with neither killing all who's to say that the ones that cannot be harmed by either won't strike, but perhaps those few are what the frogs may have a resistance against.

[mrzoggs]

but either cleanser is just as good as the other as long as used directly and of course while using common sense.

Id hate to get picky, because im sure both are definitely "ok" to use, but there is definitely no reason that bleach should not be used. Bleach is absolutely safe to clean with. It is also cheap and easy to obtain. Wipe out does not clean as well as bleach. It does not kill as many germs as bleach. Frogs in the wild are FAR different from frogs inside your home. They are introduced to a whole nother level of bacteria once entered into a home. No ones tank inside there home are as self sustaining as the wild, and most of these frogs are not field collected. Its a whole different level when you want to talk about wild vs in home cleaning. I could see a germ building up a immunity to Zoo Med wipe out before they develop an immunity to bleach. Alcohol does not disinfect as well as bleach.

I am not saying there is any problem with using Zoo Med wipe out, Im sure it smells a lot better than bleach, BUT is far less effective when it comes to cleaning. Also, just like bleach, is NOT safe if it is not used properly.

And actually, in a natural setting, there is something picking up behind them and cleaning their environment, BUGS! lol. If I had to write a list of the "good and bad" of either bleach or Zoo Med, I would put my money on bleach.

[GrifTheGreat]

Id hate to get picky, because im sure both are definitely "ok" to use, but there is definitely no reason that bleach should not be used. Bleach is absolutely safe to clean with. It is also cheap and easy to obtain. Wipe out does not clean as well as bleach. It does not kill as many germs as bleach. Frogs in the wild are FAR different from frogs inside your home. They are introduced to a whole nother level of bacteria once entered into a home. No ones tank inside there home are as self sustaining as the wild, and most of these frogs are not field collected. Its a whole different level when you want to talk about wild vs in home cleaning. I could see a germ building up a immunity to Zoo Med wipe out before they develop an immunity to bleach. Alcohol does not disinfect as well as bleach.

I am not saying there is any problem with using Zoo Med wipe out, Im sure it smells a lot better than bleach, BUT is far less effective when it comes to cleaning. Also, just like bleach, is NOT safe if it is not used properly.

And actually, in a natural setting, there is something picking up behind them and cleaning their environment, BUGS! lol. If I had to write a list of the "good and bad" of either bleach or Zoo Med, I would put my money on bleach.

Neither smell good believe me. Bugs do clean up after them yes and so do bacteria. They are exposed to new germs while in captivity. For one its not their natural environment and its impossible to simulate it to the fullest. There are pathogens here that are not in their normal environment that they get exposed to everyday. I'm not saying bleach should never be used there are alternatives and you have your preference which is bleach. I am not going to argue the subject to try and win people over to which ever disinfectant to use either. There are many pros and cons for every cleaner out their I myself do not have the choice to spray down the inside of my enclosure with pressurized water to flush all the bleach out of the enclosure so I am forced to use another method which works very well and while bleach kills 99.9% of pathogens alcohol kills 99% so one may be stronger than the other, but hurt will always be that number that survives or is reintroduced after cleaning just from your touch or even your breath on the tank.

Cleaners should smell bad and have a chemical smell in my opinion. Otherwise I guess we could mix cinnamon with water and disinfect with its germ killing properties, but that's much less effective Lol! Either is good(minus the cinnamon solution). Basically the choice is up to the individual and what suits him/her best right?

[trkyhntr]

looking at the wipeout bottle now...it contains Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride and then 99.87% inert ingredients
sounds just as nasty as bleach....both need to be allowed to dry completely before use

[mrzoggs]

i would suggest rinsing no matter what you use to disenfect your tank (bleach, vinegar, wipeout, etc.) I looked up the .gov website for wipeout. I forget what its called. But it does have harmul stuff in it.

[mrzoggs]

Think there would be an effective way to clean glass without removing everything? With dart frogs, you build a vivarium. It is impossible to take everything out for cleaning. But im sure the glass would get dirty at some point. I know you can use springtails and isopods for the soil, but will they be able to keep up with whats on the glass?

[GrifTheGreat]

Think there would be an effective way to clean glass without removing everything? With dart frogs, you build a vivarium. It is impossible to take everything out for cleaning. But im sure the glass would get dirty at some point. I know you can use springtails and isopods for the soil, but will they be able to keep up with whats on the glass?

I'm sure its possible that they can, but the live in the soil of the enclosure because they need 100% humidity to thrive. They just come up to feed on fungi and waste left by the frogs. I'm not sure whether they climb the glass to get at the poop there, but I don't think most dart frogs rest on the glass. They usually find crevices to hide and sleep unlike Red Eyes and Whites.

[irThumper]

Old but good thread... does anyone know anything about ammonia or the high powered peroxide to help kill coccidia oocysts? How about using Epsom salts to clean tanks?

[Adoptedtwins]

I have used Ruby Reef Eco Clean for several years. I have not lost an amphibian or experienced any problems. I believe as long as you are using this or any other chemical according to the instructions that everything would be fine. I have also used wipe out but wasn't a fan. I have also diluted bleach and liked it. Maybe it's just personal preference?