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Old 12-10-2017, 01:02 AM   #1
AlbysMum
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Default DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Hello everyone!

I am just coming off night shifts so excuse any errors I may make in this post. I finally have a bit of time to update you all on our cage. We're really happy to say that last month we finally completed it. Our trouble was with the glass table top that would be attached to the front of the cage. IKEA did not stock this product anymore so we needed to improvise.

Eventually we ordered Perspex in the correct size and that has worked out fine. I think this is an even better option for Alby as it is safer for him since it's not glass. BF has been working lots of shifts in the last month so I actually ended up building it myself. I don't think it came out as clean as VanillaHamHam's cage but it still looks beautiful. We took inspiration from her cage also by adding a large wooden wheel and a sand area for Alby. I just have to say, his fur is looking immaculate at the moment and I think it's down to all the lovely rolling he's been doing in the sand baths. Also, we provided him with a little toilet in the corner and he's using it like a pro! So proud of my little dude!

The wheel is actually from zooplus. We have the 28cm version but it is currently sold out, however it is due to be restocked soon. As London rent is eating our money we were trying to find a wheel like the Karlie Wonderland Bogie Wheel and we found this one for a little bit cheaper. It's just as good, Alby runs with no problem on it and it's the most silent wheel I've ever had for a hamster. All you can hear is his little feet pit pattering on it! We also bought a cute little wooden hide out that Alby sleeps in. It's getting a bit colder now so I've just ordered some extra substrate and bedding. We put new substrate/bedding in but also put in bits of his old things too so it wouldn't smell too weird in there. He'd made a huge burrowing nest in his old cage that we put to the right side of the new cage but he doesn't use it anymore. I think he's very happy in there now.

Overall, this project was really easy aside from the glass table issue. It really didn't take long to make and if you're considering it, then I highly recommend making your own cage for your hamster as it was so much fun and it looks really good in our room. Alby has so much more room now to do Hamster stuff. Anyway, here are some pictures of the final project!

I will be decorating the cage today with a couple more things. Just a few DIY snowflakes to stick on the window maybe, or just something to make it a little festive. I hope you guys enjoy the pictures!

Last edited by AlbysMum; 12-10-2017 at 01:03 AM. Reason: Adding extra detail
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Old 12-10-2017, 08:02 AM   #2
Kirstymurray
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Hi
I have just joined today as have been scouring the internet for advice on best housing for 2 dwarf hamsters...pending daughters birthday. I see that size is v important when recalled we have an old fish tank 100 cm x30 cm deep x 40 cm high. I assume I would need to make some sort of mesh lid to contain critters and wondered whether this was the best option or whether it would be a nightmare to clean. I assume it will need a lot of bedding to fill it and that it wouldn't need to be changed every week if so much bigger - or is that not correct? Any advice on how to easily make the lid?
Many thanks
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Old 12-11-2017, 08:11 AM   #3
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

You have done a really good job with your DIY cage and I'm sure Alby is very happy with his new cage too! Lovely photos of Alby exploring his cage and I'm sure he will have lots of fun in his new cage.
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Old 12-12-2017, 06:16 AM   #4
AlbysMum
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Hi Kirsty! Welcome to Hamster Central. I'm quite new here too and would love to give you advice on the cage. I think just to be on the safe side it would be a good idea to make a lid. Because Alby's cage is a bit higher than yours I am quite confident that he would not escape, but in the future we will be either purchasing or making a tree house for him and he'll definitely need a lid at some point.

I think a mesh lid would be fine. If you are wondering how you could achieve that, here are some recommendations:

I would look at this video. You can alter the measurements for the plank by doing (cage width x 2) + (cage length x 2). So... you'd be doing 60 + 200 cm = 260 cm converted to metres which is 2.6m. I think VanillaHamHam added an extra 57cm to the length of her plank (I can't figure out where she got her measurement from, but maybe I'm just missing something!). I would add on another 50-60cm ish to be on the safe side so I would get about a 3.2 metre wooden plank. The video goes into a lot of detail. I find her DIYs quite easy to follow.

The only thing is you would probably not be able to fit the hinges to open and shut it like a door. I also don't know if that would be enough wood to fit on top of the cage safely. I'm trying to think of a way it could be more secure instead of a lid that just balances on the cage. Unless it overhangs. I just hate to think of it falling into the cage and hurting your hamsters. I wish I could advise you more on that. This post by Emma will be how a lid like that would look on your tank. I'm not sure how she's secured it mind. I could be missing something really obvious here.

I had a good experience using Amazon for some of the materials that I used for the cage. It was a good price and the items were delivered really quickly. Plus the reviews are always good to go by. The wooden plank will be easy to get cut from a hardware store like B&Q - assuming that you are in the UK.

Alternatively, if you still have the lid for the tank and depending on its shape, you could cut through the plastic in squares to make room for the mesh that you'll secure underneath. It would look a little something like the second picture on this page. Another option instead of mesh would be to get your hands on a plastic lid that would have ventilation holes in. But I just don't know where you would find one of them/how you'd make it.

In terms of bedding/substrate, I firstly would recommend Kaytee Clean and Fresh in 13.9L. It is £5.99 on Amazon with prime delivery (again assuming UK, sorry if you aren't!). The amount you get is huge. We've got some for Alby now and emptied nearly the whole thing just because we wanted him to have loads to burrow in. It's soft and smells nice. He was ecstatic when we put it in haha. For the bedding stuff that the hamsters like to sleep in - don't use fluffy as it's unsafe. Get paper flakes such as Petlife Safebed. Or unscented, clean white toilet paper usually does the trick and is inexpensive. You are right - you don't need to clean the cage every week. You'll just need to spot clean once a day or so. That just involves removing poops and bits with wee, tidying it a little bit, and providing fresh water. Of course when you first get them you need to leave them alone for a little bit until they settle. I tend to change out the bedding once a month, though leaving small bits of the old bedding amongst the new so it doesn't smell so scary and different.

Sorry that this post is long, but I hope it could be of some use/gave you some ideas, even if it might be only slightly helpful! It could be a good idea to post a topic in this sub forum as you will get a lot more experts on DIY and cages/lids to help you. Good luck with everything, and hope to see your hamsters on this forum soon!
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Old 12-12-2017, 03:44 PM   #5
Kirstymurray
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Smile Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Thanks for so much info...I feel very inspired and have ordered the bedding and wire with ambitious plans to make a lid. The fish tank does have a lid but with 2 quite small vents that I worry aren't big enough. The lids on line with a flap in them looked perfect but weren't the right size unfortunately. I am quickly realising that the hamsters themselves are the least costly part of this whole process- but clearly the most exciting! Thanks again!
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Old 12-13-2017, 11:18 AM   #6
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Aww Albie is gorgeous. Lovely lovely set up for him. Wish it was the norm ...
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Old 12-28-2017, 01:25 AM   #7
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

A bit of OT but do you have YT vlogs, blogs, about your hamster? This photo sounds so familiar to VanillaHamHam.
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Old 12-29-2017, 01:22 AM   #8
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Alby's Linnmon cage is amazing! He is a lucky hamster Kirsty - 30cm deep is a bit narrow really. 100 cm long is great and so is 40cm high. Ideally it would be 45 to 50cm deep for them, but if you set it up carefully 30cm deep may be ok. Or you could make a bin cage or the Linnmon cage! For a pair of dwarf hamsters you need enough floor space for two of everything. Two houses, two wheels, (some owners of pairs even put three wheels in), two food bowls and water bottles - so they don't get territorial over anything. They may both sleep in one house together or run in one wheel together but you always need another one so they can have one each if they suddenly change habits or one gets territorial. No levels for the same reason and any floor toys like tubes need to be large enough to fit them both inside easily.

I would go for something a bit deeper if you're having a pair, but the tank may be ok for one dwarf hamster - and also then you wouldn't need to worry about set up issues or two of everything.
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Old 01-11-2018, 10:30 AM   #9
AlbysMum
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Default Re: DIY Linnmon Cage Update

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anja88 View Post
A bit of OT but do you have YT vlogs, blogs, about your hamster? This photo sounds so familiar to VanillaHamHam.
Hey, sorry it's taken me some time to get back to you.
I did mention in the original post and in my original thread here that this was following VanillaHamHams' tutorial on the Linnmon Cage. Total credit goes to her and the way we have set up some of Alby's items in the cage has been inspired by Vanilla's cage too. I have thought about vlogging though. The only social media I have for Alby is his instagram @albyslittleworld.

Unfortunately our little one has passed this week due to the conditions he lived in with his previous owners before we rescued him. Really feels awful as we weren't expecting it at all. But we will be getting a new hamster soon as the cage is looking so lonely with no fluffy baby setting up home. Hope this could answer your question!

Last edited by AlbysMum; 01-11-2018 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Adding Link
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