safe for salamander?

[bitsygiggles]

Am I being over paranoid!? We have some baby salamanders (not sure what type yet) I was about to create a tank for them, but I picked it up from a heavy smoker, and the tank reeks! I have wiped and rinsed and it still just smells so terrible of smoke. Would this effect the water quality??

 

[Jake]

Scrub the tank out with hot water that has salt and baking soda in it and it should be fine.

 

[benw]

yes i would go along with that, just dont use any household cleaning products.

Ben

 

[Kaysie]

If you want, you can bleach the tank. Fill it with a 10:1 water to bleach solution and let it set. Then rinse rinse rinse, and rinse some more. Then fill and super-dose with dechlorinator, and do it again. This will help sanitize as well.

 

[bitsygiggles]

Thanks guys
I usually clean with a salt solution for my fish aquariums, but since I am new to this, I was worried that if any residual salt remained.. but it is aquatic salt, that should be safe then? thanks so much, what a relief, they are in a tiny little container right now (clean water) but really want to set them up in a good place. What type of substrate is best for young salamanders? (tadpole tail still) they are eating blood worms happily, though the small gravle I have in their container is grasped at the same time and spat out. I don't want to risk (what I hear is common) them having small stones lodged in their guts.
thanks again!

 

[Kaysie]

Salt is fine, just rinse really well.

For larvae, bare-bottom is the best. It prevents ingestion, and it's easier to clean. It's not as visually appealing, but it's just temporary.