Suggestions needed for appropriate extension cage.

[Hammie]

Smudge is currently in a habitrail setup. I know some people do not like these cages but he loves it currently and I am happy with it (see pic below). The only things I don't like are the useless water bottle system (I've taken to putting a bowl in) and the time it takes to clean.

I'm thinking of moving the cage to a shelf behind my bed and am hoping to extend. I am looking for suggestions for the extension cage. It has to be secure as it is going behind my bed which the dog can climb onto. Also I am thinking a wire cage to add extra ventilation in summer to the habitrail setup.

Any ideas would be much appreciated. I had thought possibly of a Cambridge to extend, or the imac fantasy as it is secure plastic but with a wire section.

Anyone any ideas on how to attach these to an ovo setup? Or any other cage suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[fluffymunchkins]

a cambridge or a imac would be fabulous for him :)
you'd need to buy one of these: Ferplast End Cap Ferplast Small Animal Accessories for Sale (http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=749&pf_id=8575)
see other threads like 'porridges extended cage' and 'how to connect cages with tubes'
But i'm not sure on the compatibility with ferplast and habitrail.

Another option is to attach a bin cage, which of course you can cut the tube hole to habitrail size :)

Good luck and hope all goes well!

[Hammie]

Well unfortunately having measured up the maximum width the cage could be is around 32cm as the shelf can not hold anything wider. This is such a shame as I was watching a cambridge on ebay that ended up going for £5!!!! but it was just too big. I'll have to see if I could get a narrower cage or like you say I could make a bin cage.

[fluffymunchkins]

maybe a flat topped cage that you can put some of the habitrail of top of. One of the down sides to the cambridge :(
I've seen so many bargain ebay cages come and go, but i'm just not allowed anymore. already have two spare, that will hopefully be filled in the not to far future :D

[Hammie]

Yeah a flat top one might be useful but it isn't the length that is an issue (I can fit the loft and a cambridge next to each other), it is the depth. Anyway I may have had a change of plan. I was thinking that I could keep the set up where it is and just replace the loft with a larger wire cage (e.g. criceti 15) that way I increase ventilation and space in one go. I would have to duct tape the tubes together though probably.

Does this seem like a good idea? I keep trying to explain it to the people at home but they think Im crazy and that as he doesn't really use the loft he probably wont use a bigger cage either, but I think he might if it is more interesting for him.

I could then attach the loft to something else on the shelf behind my bed for a third hamster if I see one that catches my eye.

[Cheeky]

Habitrail tubes cannot connect to Ferplast or any other type of tube, as some people have pointed out. The only way to do this would be to remove the ring connector lock from the habitrail tube, position the bare plastic tube against the Ferplast (or other brand) tube and then use tape. Not the most eye-pleasing solution.

If you made a small bin cage for him, with wire mesh 'windows' on either side, you could have the habitrail tube lead directly into the bin cage using a cutout and I think it would look quite nice. My Syrian is in an Ovo setup and she loves it as well, but I am going to do exactly what I just suggested for the summertime, so she has an airy spot.

[Hammie]

Habitrail tubes cannot connect to Ferplast or any other type of tube.

Yeah I found that out today. I took one of my spare habitrail tubes into P@H and fiddled with a ferplast tube. If I leave the ferplast connector on then the too would fit ok if stuck together with duct tape. Like you say not amazingly eye catching but it would only have to be done in one place.

A bin cage might work best. I'll probably wait a month or two and then decide how to do it. I just want to get it done in time for summer so that he doesn't get too hot.

[fluffymunchkins]

i had to use tape for peggys cage to connect rotastak to a non brand tube. Simply because i didn't have enough. And i have done the same with the ferplast tube stoppers and no brand tube until i can get some more tubes.
But i find tape holdsreally well :)

[wofunny]

My Hamsters Called Smudge Too!!! :) snap