DIY Hamster Tank (Homemade Aquarium)

[EmilyS_79]

I am going to be making a custom hamster tank and it's going to be divided into 3 cages. This thread is a work in progress. :)

[EmilyS_79]

Im going to be going to Home Depot to get supplies and my local ace hardware for some more supplies and materials for this project. I will be heading to a local glass company here and getting my plexiglass. I will list all the materials I will be using In the top post. I will be making my own tank lid.
I'm not sure if I want to put hinges on the lid. I probably will. The front of the cage will be hinged so I can open up the front of the cage for easy cleaning.

I'm not 100% sure how much this will cost but I will be putting the cost along with the products. Just so you guys can have an idea on how much everything will be. I live in Montana so we do not have sales tax so the prices are without tax. All prices differ from place to place especially when you buy local.

I'm still thinking how I'm going to attach hinges to the plexiglass without cracking it. I will be using wood as well. I'm not sure if I want to buy new wood or use some extra that I have laying around the house. (My sister is a woodworker.)

[EmilyS_79]

Tomorrow when I wake up, I will be getting to work on drawing up some plans for the cage and what it's going to look like. :) It's going to be the exactly length and width of my desk. It will probably be at least 1 1/2 feet tall. It will have custom shelves made from plexiglass or acrylic with acrylic rods and aquarium sealant holding things together. What is a good idea for a ramp to get to the second level? The secon levels will have plexiglass or acrylic walls the go up the rest of the cage but doesn not cover it so it is accessible. :) since the cage will be at least 1 1/2 feet tall, it will have enough room for some big wheels! Hopefully either a wodent wheel or an 12 inch silent spinner in each cage section. :)

[Pebbles82]

Ooh that sounds very exciting! I wish I was good at diy. Rodipet make some good big levels out of wood. They're about 15 cm high and 40cm wide. Or a flat roofed guinea pig house can make a good big level. This one in particular I'm thinking of if you have lots of space. It's about 38cm wide, 30 cm deep and it says 20cm high but that's probably the height of the raised edge so I expect the platform is more like 16cm high.

Skyline Small Pet Pavillion: Free P+P on orders £29+ at zooplus! (http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/accessories/large_cabings_smallpets/wooden_houses/300212)

[Dalis_mum]

I made my own shelves for my tank. I just got the builders merchant to cut planks and dowels to appropriate lengths (I don't trust myself with a saw), then I nailed through the planks into the ends of the dowels. Easy peasy! And, thanks to a bit of flirting and playing the damsel in distress i got a bargain. (I am just that shameless, hehe!)

[Thin Lizzy]

I'm looking forward to this!

[EmilyS_79]

Me too! I'm still trying to figure out how to construct all of it.

[WinnieTheHam]

Hi Emily,

This sounds like a great project and it's something i've always been interested in doing not just for hamsters but for fish as well.

There's no need to use wood to connect the Acrylic/Plexiglass walls as there is certain adhesives that you can use to make it water tight and also look almost seamless. There's a youtube channel ( I think its called King of DIY, not sure) but he specialises in fish tanks and things. I'll post the link on here a bit later when i have the time, but please carry on with this project because it sounds great and i'd like to know how you do and see the final outcome!