water bottles

[Toni D at Piggy Manors]

Does anyone else run their little finger around the inside of the shoulder of their water bottles to wipe away algae (sp?) when they put fresh water in? I usually clean my bottles with Milton's fluid or with dried pudding rice and a bit of water - give it a good shake and it hey presto - job sorted. But in between I noticed that the algae usually settles in the shoulders (cos the bottles are upside down) so I automatically rub my little finger round during the daily water change. Comments please?

[rachel]

I do that too. I always wondered whether I was the only one, but obviously not!

Rachel x

[Toni D at Piggy Manors]

I wonder if you need a certain design of finger to do that? Long and thin?

[debbier]

I have a special bottle brush which has a little attachment for doing the inside of the spout as well. To make doubly sure, I buy them a new bottle every year. Not that I'm paranoid or anything ;D

[oompaloompa]

I do that too but it always seems to build up again!

[Toni D forgot to login]

There is always a small amount of algae in the shoulder every day but a quick run round with the little finger sees to that. I rinse the bottles out every day and every few weeks I do them with the rice or Miltons fluid (need rinsing well after). As a result my bottles are never bad at all. I have a good turnaround cos I'm always dropping the flippin things but as I have 16 bottles on the go I never replace them all on one occasion.

Toni
x

[oompaloompa]

16 is a lot!

[Toni D at Piggy Manors]

Yes I have to admit that water bottle duty is not my favourite piggy care pastime!

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

I sterelise bottles once a month with tablets and scrub weekly with a bottle brush, mine too has a little attachment for the sippy tube. I was told about the rice method by a local pet (supply) shop. Sounds like a good idea. Havn't noticed a build up around the edge during the week yet but if I did i might have trouble with your method guys because my fingers are short and fat lol!!!

[Toni D at Piggy Manors]

Hi Susie

The rice does do a good job but remember to have a sieve to empty the bottle into or rice goes down the plughole! My only concern is any algae in the sippy tube which the Miltons sorts out.

I think your fingers are more the norm than mine!

[michelle]

yes i also have a babys bottle brush and teat cleaner brush which are brilliant in cleaning the bottles out and also steralise them now and again, has anyone used the dishwasher to clean them out, I use it for the bowls

[Judy (mom)]

If I am not mistaken the algae you are talking about is actually backwash from pellets. Algae needs sunlight to grow. That is why you are told not to put an aquarium in a window or near direct sunlight. Also with putting fresh water in the bottles daily it wouldn't have a chance to build up.

[aquatj]

An aquarium will build algae to some degree even if it's not near a window, unless the room was pitch black all the time - the more light the more algae will flourish though obviously so it's best away from any direct light . My pigs are inside and the bottle doesn't build up green algae. I wash it regularly in boiling water and that seems to have kept it clean so far

[gracielace]

My guinea pigs are inside too! regular washing seems to do the trick cause mine seems to be algealess ;D