My Reps or My Dear Hubby

theresaintucson

theresaintucson

New Member
I have four geckos, two aquatic turtles and 3 panther chameleons. I clean the cage bottoms daily. The turtles get a complete water change twice a month. I have a big bin of crickets, indoors since it's cold out now. Usually the bin stays outdoors though. I make sure the dead crickets are taken out daily because I don't like the smell myself.
Despite all this, my DH says my reptile room has "that smell". He used to tell me that every day but hasn't said anything lately because he knows it makes me mad. This is the guy who makes me smell milk because "he can't tell if it's sour or not". :cool:
I know what he means by "that smell". I used to go to a reptile/amphibian store that absolutely reeked.
He tolerates my chams because he thinks they're cool. He doesn't like my geckos because he just doesn't care for them. (Like I don't care for spiders.) I think I've done everything possible to get rid or prevent any smells.
I'm ready to throw up my hands. Don't tell me to get rid of the DH-it's 24 years and too late. Besides, I like him. :)
Can I do anything else to alleviate any "smells"? TIA
 
I will admit, my house stinks, but it is not the reptiles-it is the dogs. I need to replace my carpet and dog couch. I will say if anything you have smells, it would be the turtles. They are just stinky. I keep mine outside. I did have them in for alot of last winter due to the cold, and they do cause an odor if not changed weekly at least.
 
Really? Hm, I have 12 tanks in our room and there is no smell (atleast I don't smell it, lol!) I would say try ventilating the room. Open up a window and let everything air out. Use non-toxic deoderizers and you can even clean out some of your tanks with vinigar. I don't really know what to tell you but I feel you on this. My bf complains about the taken up space more than the smell... He hates the "clutter" (I don't think it's cluttered) and nags but I tell him that these pets are what make me the happiest, it's my hobby. I wish I liked going out and hiking, biking, or doing arts and crafts but it just isn't so. I'd say to try and convice him that this is what you enjoy to do. I'm sure he'll understand... :p Good luck! I'd hate to see you get rid of your babies.:(
 
Julirs said:
I will admit, my house stinks, but it is not the reptiles-it is the dogs. I need to replace my carpet and dog couch. I will say if anything you have smells, it would be the turtles. They are just stinky. I keep mine outside. I did have them in for alot of last winter due to the cold, and they do cause an odor if not changed weekly at least.
Click to expand...

TRUE! I also had some Aquatic Turtles and they are pretty stinky... You need a REALLY good filtration system and constant water changes. One thing you can do, when it comes time for feeding time, try feeding them in a seperate container. Put them in some water, drop their food in, and when they are done, put them back into their tank, and discard of the dirty water. Lot's of time it's the food that dirties the water. When you notice their poo, scoop it out with a fish net. Hope this helps... Don't know if it'll work but maybe it'll work for you. ;)
 
Oh! I have to tell this story! The weather has finally given me a break and has allowed me to keep almost all of the chams out on the porch so I can gut and paint the reptile room. I also want to reclaim my dining room so everybody is going in the "family room". Upon moving the couch, I found way too many dead bug carcasses and spider poop! YUCK! Luckily it is a tile floor and all cleaned up OK. I am also putting everyone in screen cages and getting rid of the Reptariums since the crickets do chew out of them.
 
Butterworms will change the smell. Some people think they smell almost fruity. I don't like them, but if I have a few out in a room for an hour or two the whole house begins to smell like butterworms. Even when they die they smell the same! Bleh!

I just keep the door closed and use a fan on a timer. Almost no one goes in there but me and I dont recognize the smells anymore. They smell better than my dog at least! :) I also keep my feeders in a large styrofoam incubator I built, so it only stinks when I open some of my roach tubs that house roaches that require high humidity and dirt and stuff. Now those can smell! :eek:

I'm not sure you can do much except use non-toxic smell reminded and what not. Maybe if you go to an all natural kind of store you can find some really strong (pleasant) smelling things you can use to change the rooms smell.
 
We have terrapins and other reptiles and none of them smell...

I'd def. recommend a good quality powerful filter, and feeding them in a separate container!
 
yeah its probably the turtles. i had mine in our bedroom, and my gf would flip out if i didnt clean it once a week. turtles are outside in a pond now and there is no smell. the recommended filter size for turtles is twice as large as the tank they are in, so if you have a 50 gal tank, you need a filter for 100 gal.
 
In my chameleon room I just try to add things that will smell nice, naturally. Alfalfa (if you're into that) as a gutload does wonders for covering up insect smells, as well as other herbs and such. Dry lavander is good. You can get creative with natural things without having to find safe chemicals.
 
Tell him he is more than welcome to build or buy an add-on for your reptiles to keep "the smell" out. ;)

Ew 8,000 posts. Now I quit.
 
I discovered the smelly culprit---an opened, hidden bottle of Zoo Med Turtle Treat! I put that bottle outside as soon as I found it! I have a Fluval 405 for my 40 gallon tank (just replaced the "innards" last week too) and had never had odor problems before. The smell is gone now too. :) I think I'll take the suggestion to feed my two turtles (2 small maps) in another place though. Thanks for the help.
 
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