Re: Anyone heard of this water additive?

Brian wrote:
> I came across this while googling on pet mice odor.
>
> It claims if you add it to their water it "virtually eliminate these
> odors". See it here:
>
http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product1.asp?pf_id=101037201&affiliateCode=PF012803&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=I-search%20(Froogle)&cm_ite=DDI%20Link
>
> I have five male mice in a 10 gal house and the odor gets, well you
> can imagine how it gets with 5 mice in a fairly small room (about
> 175-200 sq. ft).
>
> Any comments? Has anyone tried to use one of these water additives?
> Do they work?
>
> thanks

I've heard a few drops of vinegar in the water can make a difference but 
I've never tried it.
The only thing that has worked for me is earth - just normal soil from the

garden and sprinkle it on the cage floor before adding the normal bedding,

there must be natural bacteria or enzymes in it which breaks down the
urine 
better and prevents ...I'd estimate 75% of the smells.

When you say 10 gallon tank, do you mean a glass tank? - they require
quite 
a lot of ventilation to help stop it building up in the first place, and 
glass is possibly the worst material for male mice tanks! - plastic isn't 
much better unless it's got crossflow ventilation (not just in the lid), I

use plastic stacking cases, with vents cut out of two sides (3 inch square

hole with mesh) along with lid ventilation.