Rodipet LaOla Nagarium XXL vs JunglePets 120x50 hamster tank

[OCS97]

Hi,
I have now given up with the Ferplast duna Multy maxi after trying everything I can. The internal space is a lot smaller than the outside measurements. I want something a bit taller so I can move the wheel around the cage as my current cage only just fits my 28cm wooden trixie wheel. My male syrian is climbing upside down on the bars and has started biting them and trying to escape so I need something without bars and tall enough where he can't reach the top once everything is in. No matter what I do, he just isn't happy. So, I have found these two cages that are options. Does anyone have experience with either of these? DIY isn't an option for me so need to be able to buy. Thanks in advance

[Petite]

I had a Ferplast for a while too, but got totally fed up with the tinsy door that allowed me only limited access to my hamster. How about an aquarium style cage - there is mention on the forum somewhere of a place that makes them to order - sorry, I can't remember the name, but someone else might. You might like to post a photo of your set-up to see if any of us can make recommendations that might make him feel a bit happier in his current space. Do you feel he has enough enrichment?

[OCS97]

I had a Ferplast for a while too, but got totally fed up with the tinsy door that allowed me only limited access to my hamster. How about an aquarium style cage - there is mention on the forum somewhere of a place that makes them to order - sorry, I can't remember the name, but someone else might. You might like to post a photo of your set-up to see if any of us can make recommendations that might make him feel a bit happier in his current space. Do you feel he has enough enrichment?

Hi, thank you for your reply. Yes the Jungle pets one is a 120x50x50 aquarium that they make and it comes with the mesh lid too. I am considering that one but just wondered about the Rodipet cage as I haven't heard much about it and it has a very unusual design. Yeah I have tried everything, he has lots of things from rodipet, deep bedding, vine wood, sand bath etc. I am worried about him hurting himself as he just lets go of the bars and lands on his back. I just thought if I get something where he can still have lots of enrichment but can't reach the top that would solve the problem. Thanks again

[Ria P]

I think Rodipet doesn't deliver to the UK at the moment.
Have you considered the Marrakesh from Zooplus or an Eco Living World habitat (i think that's what its called)?

[OCS97]

I think Rodipet doesn't deliver to the UK at the moment.
Have you considered the Marrakesh from Zooplus or an Eco Living World habitat (i think that's what its called)?

Hiya, Rodipet are now delivering to the UK again. I was looking at the Marrakesh but I have received an email from Zooplus telling me they have stopped selling it. Maybe it is because of Brexit? I don't know. The Living world habitat looks good but I keep thinking that he will get his teeth in those holes at the side and chew them. I am leaning towards the glass option now as then he won't be able to chew it.

[sushi_78]

I have a custom made tank from Junglepets. They work out a lot cheaper than a new fish tank, though that's reflected in the quality. It does the job fine but the lid is a bit shoddily made and the glass sides not quite aligned etc.

I also have the Living World Eco Habitat for a pair of gerbils. I made it more chew proof by gluing acrylic sheets over the holes at the sides and gluing aluminium corner profiles to the corner posts. There is still the wooden rim at the top which my gerbils occasionally nibble at but it's quite a hard wood so hopefully will be fine for some time. The base also needs to be Plastikoted as although it has a shiny finish and looks like it should be water-proof, it is not. There is also an issue with the lid which is just wood with large gaps, so a determined hamster will definitely be able to chew out. I don't use the lid at all because I have a topper for my cage but you can staple mesh over the inside of the lid to make it chew and escape proof.

The LaOla cage has the same issue with the lid so would also need mesh stapled over it but other than that it seems quite good. I don't have one though.

[OCS97]

I have a custom made tank from Junglepets. They work out a lot cheaper than a new fish tank, though that's reflected in the quality. It does the job fine but the lid is a bit shoddily made and the glass sides not quite aligned etc.

I also have the Living World Eco Habitat for a pair of gerbils. I made it more chew proof by gluing acrylic sheets over the holes at the sides and gluing aluminium corner profiles to the corner posts. There is still the wooden rim at the top which my gerbils occasionally nibble at but it's quite a hard wood so hopefully will be fine for some time. The base also needs to be Plastikoted as although it has a shiny finish and looks like it should be water-proof, it is not. There is also an issue with the lid which is just wood with large gaps, so a determined hamster will definitely be able to chew out. I don't use the lid at all because I have a topper for my cage but you can staple mesh over the inside of the lid to make it chew and escape proof.

The LaOla cage has the same issue with the lid so would also need mesh stapled over it but other than that it seems quite good. I don't have one though.

I have just made the decision and ordered a 120x50x50 hamster tank from JunglePets. I can't risk my hamster really hurting himself any longer and the noise from biting is driving me insane. The LaOla looked really good and even though it said it was female syrians it wasn't suitable for, I just had visions of spending a lot of money and then him chewing out of it. He is a determined little thing. I can always get my dad to make another lid for me if the one it comes with isn't any good. But, what do you mean when you say the glass isn't aligned? Are there gaps in it?

[sushi_78]

No gaps, the corner just isn't a perfect right angle, but it doesn't affect the use at all. I'll attach a photo showing what I mean.

[OCS97]

No gaps, the corner just isn't a perfect right angle, but it doesn't affect the use at all. I'll attach a photo showing what I mean.

Ah ok thank you for showing me the picture of it. I notice the lid is a different colour wood to on the website. Did you make your own or can you change the wood used ?

[sushi_78]

It's a yellowish green type wood and it is the original lid. I'm not really keen on it and will probably remake it one day. I think Junglepets are fortunate in that they are the only company providing such a product in the UK, which means they can get away with cutting some corners.

[Pebbles82]

I was going to say go with Junglepets :-). They will actually make it any size you want. 120 x 50 x 50 sounds good to me. The Marrakesh isn’t really any bigger or taller than the maxi duna anyway. The Rodipet one I think is interesting but very expensive and could be chewed. Kind of looks a bit flat pack somehow (which it is!). The eco habitat would need some diy.

I would ask about insurance as part of the delivery cost just in case. I think they do pallet delivery though so it should be fine.

Looking forward to seeing it. The maxi duna should get a good price second hand if you don’t want to keep it.

[OCS97]

I was going to say go with Junglepets :-). They will actually make it any size you want. 120 x 50 x 50 sounds good to me. The Marrakesh isn’t really any bigger or taller than the maxi duna anyway. The Rodipet one I think is interesting but very expensive and could be chewed. Kind of looks a bit flat pack somehow (which it is!). The eco habitat would need some diy.

I would ask about insurance as part of the delivery cost just in case. I think they do pallet delivery though so it should be fine.

Looking forward to seeing it. The maxi duna should get a good price second hand if you don’t want to keep it.

Thank you, hopefully I have made the right decision. Looking forward to it arriving. When I asked them about delivery, they told me they had their own vans and they travel the country to deliver them themselves so hopefully to will arrive safely. Will post pictures when it is all set up.

I want to try and sell my maxi duna but not sure how that is going to work with COVID and the restrictions. Might have to wait until things start to settle down before I try to sell it.

[Pebbles82]

You could sell it on eBay but posting it out could be tricky in case it got damaged. It could be listed as collection only but then you don’t get so many people interested so an auction would be a bit risky unless you set a starting price of the amount you want for it.

I sold a cage during the previous lockdown and we just arranged that the buyer would call me when they were nearly there and I put it outside for them (having disinfected it all first).

But as people are not supposed to travel locally except for exercise right now it probably is better to wait a bit.

[Ria P]

I'd put the maxi duna on Gumtree because it is the buyer who will take a chance with collecting it and you can ask for paypal payment which only takes a few minutes. People who travel locally could maybe collect it en route to or from work or grocery shopping.

I think those free ads sites would need to be temporarily shut down by the government to stop trading but as long as they don't do that they give people mixed messages of what they can and cannot do.

I have recently bought a cage after work and the transaction was contactless while wearing a mask and gloves and using disinfectant. Not sure if a bigger hamster cage would be classed as an essential in the eyes of the law......