Starting Over?

[pinkspore]

I lost my amazing 9" paddletail newt to a severe case of bloat today, despite some really valiant efforts by the vet. (CPR, intubation, the vet was absolutely devastated when they finally lost her.) We suspect she was probably quite old and had some serious issues before I got her. I've only had her for six months, and the person I got her from had kept her terrestrially for several years. She had a really wonderful life with plenty of swimming space and a good current to enjoy while she was here, I just wish I had been able to keep her longer.

So now I have a 20L barebottom planted tank with lots of filtration and plenty of hiding spots. If I want to put someone else in there, I probably need to break the entire thing down and clean everything to make sure I don't have any pathogens that could have contributed to Newtzilla's death. Then I can set everything up and let it cycle again for a few weeks.

I can bleach the tank and rocks and leave them out in the sun for a few days, but I'm not sure how best to clean the plants. I have a philodendron and a wisteria planted in terra cotta pots of gravel. There is a pothos plant growing in a log-shaped aquarium decoration, and a couple of bunches of java fern that were just floating around. Can I rinse the plants in a weak bleach solution? Let them sit in the sun for a few days? Not worry too much and just put them back in the tank?

How much cleaning would you do in this situation?

 

[obicat]

My paddletail is AMAZING, out of all mine, hes my favourite. He has a very definite personality. Just wanted to say sorry for your loss, I'd be devastated to lose mine

 

[Scorpion]

I don't think bleaching the plants would be a good idea. I'm not an expert, so don't take my word for it, but it might be bad for them. I'd just not worry about it. I'm sure they'll be fine to put back in the tank.

 

[pinkspore]

Thank you, this has been a pretty hard loss. She was an absolutely enchanting animal.

 

[Kaysie]

A quick dip in a salt bath will help sterilize plants. Sorry to hear she didn't make it. You made a valiant effort.

 

[pinkspore]

Do you think bleach is necessary? Or is salt/UV light enough to take care of any leftover pathogens?

 

[wargar]

I have heard of people using a mild bleach or baby bottle sterilising fluid on a turtle set up however, I would not use bleach at all, near an amphibian. Let what can dry out get bone dry for a couple of days. I f you use gravel either boil it or at least run some boiling water through it. If you use a canaster filter, clean as much as possible in boiling water and buy a new sponge.

Dave