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Old 01-29-2008, 07:20 AM   #1
Holly
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Default Imac Fantasy - Cage Review

I have several Imac Fantasy cages (six plus an extension - though only four are currently in use) and, as the Imac is considered one of the better cages on the forums (and nobody else has done one yet!), I decided to do a cage review!



The Imac measures approximately 60cm x 36cm and, as it comes with two complete levels, it obviously gives double that floor-space - making it a decent sized cage for a Syrian hamster. There is also the option of extending the cage upwards with an extension kit (available separately).

The cage costs £25.00 - £30.00 to buy new and the extension kit costs £17.00 - £20.00, though they both often turn up used and considerably cheaper on ebay.

Tesco Direct sell both (though they are out of stock at the moment):

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-2932.aspx

http://direct.tesco.com/search/default. ... onfirm.y=8


The Imac is a mixed wire and plastic cage with a tube leading to the second level. The tube is a decent size and our 190g plus Mars has no difficulty getting up and down it (maybe because there are no sharp right-angled corners?)

The downstairs floor looks like this:

Mars in his newly cleaned cage:


Kitty's newly cleaned cage:


The tube then leads to the second floor:


This has an in built nest area - used by all my hamster's in Imac's - except Mars!!!

In built nest area:


Mars's preferred bedroom:



Pros:

*Good Size
*Good design (kid appeal)
*Extendable upwards
*Takes up less floor-space than Gabber Rex but still a big cage
*Integral nest area
*Good ventillation

Cons:
*Bar chewing!

Kitty is likely to soon be moving out of her Imac and into a Rex because of her constant bar chewing (I've already had to move Milly, who cut her face, and Smartie, who looked to be following her). Luckily my boys in Imacs (Mars, Button and Toby) don't seem to chew the bars at all.

Here's Kitty, the demon bar-chewer, looking like butter wouldn't melt:


I can't really think of any other cons - the wheel that comes with it is too small for a Syrian but that's common to all cages on the market. You do have to tape the discs at the top to keep them secure and prevent escapes but that's not really a problem:


I'd also be cautious using this cage for dwarf hamsters as I have read of escapes through the bars. However I've also heard of many dwarf hamsters living happily in Imacs so it may not be a problem.

All in all a great cage - shame about the bar chewing!!!!!!

NB Hopefully somone will be able to post a picture of the Imac with an extension attached - I don't have one at the moment, though we are considering adding an extension and removing the attic from Mars's cage as he doesn't really do much up there.
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Old 01-29-2008, 10:37 AM   #2
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Good Review Holly.
I too have quite a few Imacs and I do like them. One of the drawbacks for me is that they are not the easiest or quickest cage to clean, not helped by the ridges and humps on the first floor.
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Old 01-29-2008, 11:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Basia
One of the drawbacks for me is that they are not the easiest or quickest cage to clean, not helped by the ridges and humps on the first floor.
I know what you mean - I use fragrance-free baby wipes to clean the ridges, then I rinse and dry

They aren't as simple or quick to clean as Gabbers but I've got into a routine and can do each Imac in 10-15 minutes
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Old 01-29-2008, 12:08 PM   #4
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I am buying one on Friday for only ten pounds to treat Athena who inmoo needs more space before my up coming breeding program.
how long does it roughly take to clean?
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Old 01-29-2008, 04:04 PM   #5
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Take care with putting chinese in this cage Matty as the bar spacing is quite wide and there could be escapes or someone getting jammed. This would not be suitable as a breeding cage as babies would definitly get through the bars. What would you say on this cage for a Chinese Holly
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Old 01-29-2008, 05:46 PM   #6
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I find the sleeping area gets a bit sweaty despite the little holes all over it. Maybe it is just my hamsters, or brand of bedding? I had to dry it out every couple of days with fresh bedding so now try to encourage them to sleep in the main section and not up there.
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Old 01-30-2008, 12:34 AM   #7
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it definatly not going to be a breeding cage. and ive solved that problem put chicken wire around the bars
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Old 01-30-2008, 01:15 AM   #8
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To be honest I wouldn't put any dwarf hamster in it - especially not a Chinese (sleek and narrow) or a robo (tiddly).

The bar spacing is the same as that on those playpens - my winter white squeezed himself through the playpen bars and got stuck (he was about five months old at the time). I hate to think what would have happened if that were his cage and I wasn't there.

I think it's wonderful cage for Syrians (I've never had the sweaty nesting area problem, Babyboos) but for dwarf hamsters of any type I'd be cautious.
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Old 01-30-2008, 12:35 PM   #9
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Ah, Holly you read my mind, I was going to post asking for a review of the Immac. Tesco have been out of stock for ages and I can't find one cheaper than £29.00!

How do you find it compares with the Cambridge? I have one Cambridge and OH can here me swearing at the other end of the house when I clean it cos I have difficulty with the shelves.

HH are nice and big, but very hard to man handle
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Old 01-30-2008, 02:01 PM   #10
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It gives a simillar floor area as the Cambridge - perhaps a little more as the second floor is a complete level. The ideal for a really good sized cage would be to add an extension (looks like we are doing that for Mars so I'll let you know how that goes).

It would definitely be easier to handle than a HH I'd have thought and I think, really - once you've got the hang of them - Imacs are a bit easier to clean out than the Cambridge (I know what you mean about those shelves!).
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