Cleaning Second-Hand Tank

[granny.izz]

Hii,

Recently I've bought a large, second-hand tank for my two axolotls and plan on moving them within the next two weeks. The tank is in desperate need of a clean and previously housed a lizard. There's thermometer stickers on the inside and outside, it's just a bit yucky. I know you can't use dish soap because of the residue it leaves behind but I'm unsure about how else to go about it. I'm grateful for any advice.

Thank youuu.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Here is a good article on cleaning and disinfecting.

Keeping It Clean: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Reptile or Amphibian’s Enclosure - Madison Area Herpetological Society

The Madison Area Herpetological Society is a Non Profit 501(c)3 Organization dedicated to educating the state of Wisconsin about the wonderful world of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.

madisonherps.org

If you are trying to disinfect, the CDC has recommended the chlorine bleach method as most effective and most safe, HOWEVER, you are going to have wait more than two weeks before moving the axolotls in as it takes time for the residue to evaporate. It's further recommended you test the remaining residual bleach content with a plant.

All of these cleaning methods will have different timings to test safety so research before committing and you may need more patience than two weeks.

 

[wolfen]

light bleach, salt, bicarbonate of soda, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, basically anything that can be harmlessly cleaned away and removed.

 

[xxianxx]

Bleach it, scrub it , rinse it and you can use immediately.