| Cleaning
Instructions |
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Chapter
2:
Environment
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- I suggest using diluted
bleach to clean the enclosure. Once you remove ALL the foliage, branches
and debris, using a sponge, saturate the entire enclosure! Then, using
a scouring pad (you don't have to use iron wool or S.O.S. pads, but
plain abrasive pads found at any dollar store) scrub the enclosure.
You will find sediments accumulate on the glass walls of an aquarium
from the constant misting. Hot water and bleach should dissolve this.
Glue also can be removed readily this way.
- Once the enclosure has
been sterilized (not merely "cleaned") you must ensure it
is completely rinsed! I use a bucket and clean sponge to soak up the
bleach (your enclosure will be to large to simply pick up and tip
over!) Use clean water to rinse and then absorb the water. Once you
feel it is completely void of any traces of cleaning products, use
your misting bottle to get into any small crevasses. Remember, if
there are ANY cleaning products left in the enclosure, it can spell
death for your chameleon!
- For the artificial foliage,
I suggest placing them in your bathtub or basin and letting them soak
in a diluted bleach solution. I then drain the water and use dish
soap to give them a final cleaning. Once again, rinsing is crucial!
- I also suggest cleaning
your branches, as there will probably be traces of fecal matter on
them. Simply take a scoring pad and rub them down with hot soapy water.
- If you are using a bowl
with air pump for your watering system, the water must be changed
daily and the bowl sterilized at least once a week. You can use the
same method; bleach and a scoring pad to remove slime/sediments that
form a ring very quickly! Remember, chameleons tend to go to the bathroom
in water, and insects fall in and die so you must ensure this method
of providing water to your chameleon is clean at all times
- I'd stay away from ropes
made of fabric, as they cannot be cleaned well enough.
- If you find stains caused
by mineral deposits on the glass (caused by spraying) use some CLR.
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