Another Substrate Attempt

When you have ten or more tanks, the substrate (covering) at the bottom of the tank makes a BIG difference when it comes to cleaning. 

Over the years, I've tried tile, slate, AstroTurf, shelf liner, peel & stick tile, vinyl fabric, and now linoleum. 

I think I like linoleum the best. I bought a 6 foot by 8 foot rectangle from my local Home Depot for $24.99 plus tax (US dollars) and cut it in to 6 pieces for 40 gallon tanks and 2 pieces for 55 gallon tanks. So about $3.50 a tank/piece. 

I use clear packing tape to stick it to the bottom of the tank so it doesn't slide around. When there is poop, I take a flushable wipe to clean up the poop and then I flush it. I never ever throw away poop-- it stinks!!! Flushing smells better. 

I buy whichever brand is cheapest for me. The last box I bought was from Costco and was a Kleenex brand that had an instant store coupon. 

The goal for substrate is a solid surface that is easiest for you to clean. Today I swapped out my old pieces of linoleum for a new piece. I took the old pieces outside and scrubbed them down good. Those are now in storage for the next empty tank or the next time I swap out all the tank pieces. 

Adenovirus Adaptations

Here's some of the changes I've made (and will continue to make) since my rescue has gone on lockdown. 

Every beardie has their own broom and dustpan which gets put in the dishwasher to be sanitized after every use. 

All the tanks will get tile instead of paper towels or ReptiCarpet or anything else. 

All 13 beardies are going to be given meds to treat them for Coccidia. 

Most beardies have coccidia and/or pinworms and never show symptoms. With adenovirus positive (ADV+) beardies, coccidia and pinworms can kill the beardie. 

Every beardie I have has 3 things now: a blankie, an emergency hearing pack, and their own dustpan & broom. 

Other rules-- no sharing food. Only touch one beardie at a time. Wash hands all the time. Sanitize tanks with bleach water monthly. 

I'm still trying to figure out what it means to have so many ADV+ beardies. Some moments I think "yeah, I can handle this" and at other times I freak out. 

It's all about the baby steps. 

Cleaning Day or "Why we can't have nice things!" ;)

I spent an hour cleaning tanks today. New paper, fresh food, scrubbed out water bowls.

This can only mean one thing-- 

Poop Time!! 

Ziggy did a 3-move maneuver-- spread food, splash water, poop painting. 

Smaug had been saving up his poop for this very day and put it right in the middle so I had to change all the paper towels and not just one side/end. 

Nubs splashed all his water out and soaked his paper towels. Then he scratched at them to tear them into pieces. 

Because of this, cleaning day happens in at least two parts-- the main cleaning and the re-cleaning. 

I jokingly tell my beardies "See, guys? This is why we can't have nice things!" Ha! 

Taking Down the "Sick" Wing

For the first time in months, I don't need my 20 gallon sick tanks and so today I cleaned them and put them in my garage. 

I have a nice empty spot back in my bedroom. :) There are still two tanks in my room-- one for a rescue and one for a beardie I am babysitting. 

After having 13 beardies, I am down to 6. It's quite a relief to have fewer beardies to care for! Blaze, JoJo, Tony Tiger, Beardie, Sami & Lexi, and Munch all were adopted out.