Syrian Requirements RSPCA - Page 2

cypher · 02-28-2015, 04:17 AM

The problem I have with tanks is I really don't like top only access, I like to have a big door at the front to get to my hams & for them to come to me & Zephyr has so much hanging from the top of her cage I don't think I could do anything like it with a tank, I've only ever tried Mickle in a tank & she seems much happier in a barred cage.
I'm still thinking about a Mamble which would be good for Zephyr & then Flynt could have the Alaska, still wouldn't be ideal but maybe better!
I used to have one of those digging tower things (until it broke!) & Ziggy loved it but it was more an out of cage toy than anything.

Dalis_mum · 02-28-2015, 04:21 AM

I know a tank Dali's size was an epic bargain (£35 for 4x2x2, I actually felt I was dooping them). It's just a matter of keeping checking and hoping you get lucky. Just make sure to take better measurements before you pick anything up. I had to take a door off the get mine in Lol. Also, realising they're an investment is good. Its hard to lose money on a second hand tank unless you crack it. It will last for years whereas plastic cages, I used to find they would get brittle and the bars ge bent and the paint on them chips... Can you tell I am wholly converted on tanks? hahaha

Pebbles82 · 02-28-2015, 04:21 AM

Yes that's a point - I like front access too - which is why I prefer the Alexander to the Falco, and it's a lot cheaper too! Charlie would never come out I think if there wasn't front access. Plus he likes to walk into his cage from the ramp (I put his blanket over the ramp). I wonder if there is a 120 cm cage with 7mm bar spacing like the Alexander.

cypher · 02-28-2015, 04:32 AM

If you ever find one Serendipity let me know!!

Dalis mum your tank is amazing but if I did one I'd have to do the others & with 3 hams to cater for in a very small bungalow I really would have to go live in the garden & give them the whole house!

Dalis_mum · 02-28-2015, 05:32 AM

Oh cypher. I can definitely sympathise. I currently don't have a sofa so that I could get her tank in my living room. I wont be having more than one at a time, I haven't time with college etc. I used to have a menagerie growing up, but this was back in the early 90s when what was considered acceptable was much different. (what a difference 20 years makes!)

I must admit, having SUCH a large tank does have it's flaws. eg. right now I can hear her rustling in there but cant for the life of me work out where she is hahahaha

RubyDG · 02-28-2015, 06:07 AM

I've got a good thick layer of substrate in my cage (about 15cm) but I've never noticed Spike digging or making any tunnels. I wonder if it's because he's on Fitch or if he's just not a burrower. He has a big litter tray of sand that he loves digging and rolling in though so sometimes I wonder if a different substrate would encourage him to dig more. I have a 3ft aquarium I'm not using so I was thinking about adding it on to the cage with tubes as additional space and digging area but the the thing is bloody heavy not to mention longer than my Mamble so I'm not even sure how I would do it

. For the record the 3ft tank cost me £25 second hand and my current big 300L tank (actually being used by my goldfish LOL) cost £50 second hand so like Dalis_Mum said you just have to be patient and keep an eye out, eventually you do find something.

cypher · 02-28-2015, 07:20 AM

Dalis mum I must admit I have been giving my sofa the evil eye lately thinking do I really need that lol! I'm still not sure how I ended up with 3 hamsters tbh but they are a bit addictive!
I often can't find mine in cages so in a tank like that I might never see them again... at least until they wanted a treat!

Ruby mine are on fitch too & seem to manage to burrow in it & the burrows hold ok, I was wondering about maybe adding some wood shavings but not convinced they need it.
I fill the base of my cages so they have more than 15cm but less than 20cm & burrow in that ok but they are dwarfs so I wonder how much substrate a syrian would need as they are so much bigger.
Good luck with the aquarium idea1 They are really heavy which I find hard to manage quite apart from the size.

RubyDG · 02-28-2015, 07:32 AM

The base of the Mamble is 17cm deep so realistically I don't think I could make it any deeper or the substrate would just fall out the cage. It's good to know that yours can burrow well in the Fitch though, so I think either it's just not deep enough or he has little interest in making burrows. The 3ft tank would be great as an addition but it's far to heavy, the Mamble is on a stand which would not support the tank's weight even if I put it on the stand shelf. The only way I can see it working is if I get rid of the stand entirely and put the tank on the floor with the cage on top. But honestly I really like the stand, I can easily move it and it gives me much needed storage space - so at this point I'm not sure what to do

cypher · 02-28-2015, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubyDG

at this point I'm not sure what to do

You're not alone there Ruby! I'd hate to think how much time I spend trying to figure out potential ham habitats in my head, wandering around the room tape measure in hand lol! I'm having enough trouble trying to figure out if I get the mamble which I'd really like to do where the hell I'm going to put it while I set it up before I start switching cages around!
I do hope you can find a way to make your plan work though, it would make an amazing home for Spike.
Fitch on the floor is an everyday occurrence here, I'm just learning to live with it

Pebbles82 · 02-28-2015, 04:49 PM

I'm lost at the moment - I can't find my tape measure lol!