Imac Fantasy - Cage Review

Holly · 01-29-2008, 07:20 AM

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.

debs · 08-13-2010, 02:26 PM

i just got one off ebay. & i taped the caps

you should try it and see how you get it

Teatoo · 10-18-2010, 11:34 AM

Hey guys, I'm new here, and I'm getting my first hamster, a syrian, soon from Babyboos Hamstery! I'm extremely excited, and I've been reading this forum for a while now, preparing myself for his arrival. I'm deciding on a cage, and the Imac Fantasy seems like a great one. I have a few questions about it though, and I was wondering if anyone could answer them? (:

1. Am I right in thinking there is a built in house on the second floor for them to nest in? Also, do I put nesting material up there for them, or do they make their nest themselves?

2. I've read that the wheel is too small for a syrian, and I'm going to replace it with a Wodent Wheel Junior. Is this easy to do?

3. Is access to your hamster good in this cage? I can only see one door and it's very small.

4. Should I get the Savic Cambridge instead of this?

Dora · 10-19-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teatoo

Hey guys, I'm new here, and I'm getting my first hamster, a syrian, soon from Babyboos Hamstery! I'm extremely excited, and I've been reading this forum for a while now, preparing myself for his arrival. I'm deciding on a cage, and the Imac Fantasy seems like a great one. I have a few questions about it though, and I was wondering if anyone could answer them? (:

1. Am I right in thinking there is a built in house on the second floor for them to nest in? Also, do I put nesting material up there for them, or do they make their nest themselves?

yes their is a little house but dora dragged her nest out and just had on the upper level so i use the little nest area as her food dish area. i have added megazorb a thin layer and she has dragged this into her nest for extra comfort/warmth.

2. I've read that the wheel is too small for a syrian, and I'm going to replace it with a Wodent Wheel Junior. Is this easy to do?

yes wodent wheel is easy i have mine on the lower level.

3. Is access to your hamster good in this cage? I can only see one door and it's very small.

yes if upper level you can remove the lid easily and has doors on opening. i would recommend you buy a extension for more space too

4. Should I get the Savic Cambridge instead of this?

both good cages have read great reviews on the cambridge but dont have one personally.

hope this helps.. congrats on your soon to be new addition you must be in my local area with babyboos based in edinburgh

is it a rescue or one she bred??

Poodle · 11-06-2010, 02:54 PM

This is one of the cages I'm thinking of getting but unsure on a few things

How many levels is best for a syrain?

Would an 8 inch wheel fit in ok?

Is there caps avalible to block the holes off so that you would beable to stack the hamsters ontop of eachother?

Can see me just buying a few different cages at this rate!

**Hope** · 11-08-2010, 08:03 AM

For a syrian the main cage would be the minimum - it would be better with an extension level. How many you add is up to you!

Yes I believe that an 8" wheel just fits in.

I dont think that you can stack them so that you could have cages for 2 different hamsters as the top of the cage is curved, so I dont think it would be very stable.

debs · 11-08-2010, 08:23 AM

i have an extension on mine. and yeah an 8" wheel Just fits.

pinkneon · 02-28-2012, 10:14 PM

I like the look of this cage, though am worried about a hamster chewing their way out of it! Oh, and I noticed some of you were asking what the plug in the middle of the floor was for ... I have no idea, but can only assume it's for when you add another layer, so the tubes can be attached?? I might be wrong though lol ... I've never seen one of these in person, so can't work out if it really is big enough for a syrian ... Am wondering if I should be looking at something else??

Flamestriker · 02-29-2012, 01:00 AM

Ok I have squeak my syrian in an iMac fantasy with extension, so it has three floors in total. Connected to it via tubes and a connector are two bin cages, one 74 L and the burrowing bin cage 110L. The smaller one holds her 12 inch flying saucer, water bottle and chews. The larger one holds three bags of carefresh (I scatter feed here so she has to burrow to find it) and the cage has her potty, nest, boxes, treats and chew toys.

The plugs everyone talks about I se to hand treats and food sticks from using cable ties, but you can remove them and put suspension bridges there if your hams have trouble with the tubes.

Lynternette · 02-29-2012, 03:26 AM

I have a three storey Imac for my Dusty. He's a big lad and I find there's plenty of room for him. An 8" wheel will fit it but only on the bottom floor. I've replaced the wheel with a 12" flying saucer which does take up quite a bit of space.

I find it very easy to clean but then Dusty is obsessively tidy. The only down side I have is that Dusty loves to chew the connectors in the tubes. I've never found them separately so I've had to buy a new tube every time. If you like a natural looking cage then this isn't for you but if you like something a bit more jazzy then you'll love it.