sanitizing terrarium

[blanco]

I have only had my terrarium for my white's tree frogs set up for a couple of months now but I am wanting to do a complete cleaning of it where I replace the substrate, etc. Is there anything that is recommended for sanitizing the terrarium and decor when you do a deep cleaning?

Every time I change the water in their big water bowl, I rinse it out with hot water, but have never used anything to sanitize it. Since they sometimes poop in the water, I'm sure bacteria can build up on the bowl. Since I know that any chemicals, etc. are absorbed through a frog's skin, I have been hesitant to use anything on the bowl.

What do any of you guys use? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Laura

[flybyferns]

Hi Laura,
Since the weather is warmer you could haul the tank outside fill it with water the hose, and add a small amount of bleach. You don' t need a lot of bleach . ie If it's a 20 gallon no more than about 1/8 cup if bleach. Let it soak for some time ...then rinse. Caution: The bleach does the trick but is difficult to rinse. I re-fill the tank a few times and dump. Then after a few rinses ....ill again and add de-chlorinator-- ( lots of de-clorinator). Let it set for the de-chlorinator to work on any left over bleach. Rinse ,rinse ,rinse.

As for other tank decor:
Wood can be boiled or baked
Most hard plastic can be boiled ? - careful sometimes it disfigures them

If your comfortable with it ---you could even put things through the dishwasher including the wood ( no soap). Both the water and the drying cycle is real hot. BUT--- then you have to disinfect the dish washer But it works nicely.

Yes....the soaking dishes get really yuckie ! I clean 4 ( from the tree frogs enclosures) - every day! As for the soaking dishes ( and the walls of the tank ? if needed)- I use a very,very diluted solution of distilled water and Metronidizole in a spray bottle once a week. I spray both top and bottom , let them sit , then rinse. If you want the solution ratio let me know. ( my soaking dishes are ceramic flower pot saucers)

There are commercially prepared products, of which I have no experience with.

Lynn