Watch me build up my tank! :) - Page 2

velma · 12-29-2015, 12:22 PM

Good stuff! It's easy to get caught out by the teeny weenie stuff, isn't it? I love your shelf/level that you've made too. It's going to look lovely when you're done.

Jenibelle · 12-29-2015, 12:29 PM

Thank you so much

I'm rather proud of it and excited to work on it more today. My package will supposedly be delivered by 8PM tonight!

Pebbles82 · 12-29-2015, 01:41 PM

The shelf is amazing! It will make the tank so much better - like the German racetrack idea and also something to hide under. I love your set up so far. Which wheel did you decide to get?

Jenibelle · 12-29-2015, 03:36 PM

Thank you!

I'm still not totally sure on the wheel.

Appearance wise I found a wooden trixie wheel that has an 11 in. diameter on ebay. I would LOVE that. Problems? Not sure how quiet it is, which is the number one priorty. Also, it ships from the UK so it's about $40 o.o Sensible me is saying to not purchase a $40 wheel, when I'm not even sure how well it works.

My second choice, I think, is the Wodent Wheel. It is just what I prefer next, asthetically. And it seems pretty quite from reviews?

Then again, that Carolina Storm one seems even more quiet... BUT I really don't like how it looks, to be perfectly honest. Although, I do like the tray idea. So it's a toss up.

**DrKMcK** · 12-29-2015, 07:30 PM

Hi Jenibelle. I love the way you are doing this. It's lovely to watch this tank grow into a very lucky little hammy's home. I have the Carolina wheels and they are absolutely silent. You can buy it without the tray. It costs less without it. And they come in a incredible amount of colors. I have had Silent Spinners, and Wodent Wheels. The Carolina beats them all. It's also height adjustable.
For a tank that big it might be a good idea for you to look into Boxo bedding. I buy the big bale that expands to 184L. It lasts me a few months, and it costs me about $40.00 with shipping. It's very soft and not as dusty as others I've tried.
I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Jenibelle · 12-29-2015, 08:03 PM

Hi, thank you so much DrkMck! I'm currently working on the shelf some more, so there will probably be another picture update tomorrow

Again, the sensible part of me is saying I should probably go with the Carolina from all the stellar reviews! If I did I would choose the evergreen one. I just really dislike how it looks XD But quiet, again, is the number one priority. So I will probably have to bite my tongue and get it for that alone.

And thanks for the tip on bedding! I checked it out and it seems like an awesome deal!!
I see it's made out of wood. Is it more odor absorbent than regular aspen shavings?

**DrKMcK** · 12-29-2015, 08:20 PM

LOL. The Carolina is also a whole lot easier to clean than the Wodent Wheel. My dwarf hammy, Laddie, has the Wodent wheel because I think dwarf hammies do better with an enclosed wheel. They like lots of hidey spaces. But it's a pain in the neck to take apart and clean. The Carolina is very easy to wipe down. (Think I really like it?

)

The Boxo is recycled paper, not wood, and is is very absorbent and does pretty well with odors. I tend to give my hams deep bedding and I only need to clean out their nesting/toilet areas. I do a full cleanout about every 6-8 weeks.

I look forward to seeing your work.

Jenibelle · 12-29-2015, 09:08 PM

You are winning me over!! Ease of cleaning plus being quiet are both big perks.

I will look into that bedding, as it does look extremely natural, at least from photos

Pebbles82 · 12-30-2015, 05:16 AM

You can't go wrong with either of those wheels really. I don't find cleaning our Wobust wheel difficult at all, because Charlie doesn't pee in his wheel lol! I can get away with just wiping it out occasionally. Most hams do pee in their wheels apparently. It seems to be a bit like Marmite over the Wodent wheel cleaning. Some people like that it comes apart for cleaning and put all the parts in the dishwasher - some people say it's a pain.

I know what you mean about the look of the California wheel - it is big and deep and would look quite obvious in a cage or tank and take up a fair bit of depth. I think it might be easier in a tank though, due to the sturdy base and being height adjustable - if you had it at full height you could have more substrate under it and it would sit on the base of the tank. The Wodent wheels are quite low to the ground. So if it was on the base of the tank there would hardly be any depth of substrate near it, and if it sits on the substrate they can be a bit wobbly. I think they work best hung from the top but again that could be difficult with a tank and mesh lid or stood on a platform, (although I've seen diy things where people have rigged up a wood bar from to straddle the tank with the wheel stand attached.

The wood trixie wheel you mentioned is very like the Karlie one I think but I don't think it's quite as well made. You are right the Karlie wood wheel would be a good choice for a tank, it's quite stable. But postage would make it expensive. They can also be a bit of a pain, as even when waterproofed they can get stinky if a ham wees in it regularly. We had one and it broke after six months (the spindle kind of snapped). I am much happier with the Wobust wheel even though it doesn't look as good.

The Germans only recommend two types of wheel for safety - the Wodent Wheel and the wood ones. They are very anti anything plastic in their cages, but the Wodent Wheels are an exception as they're made from a special kind of non toxic plastic apparently so meet German approval! Wodent wheels are the go to choice in Germany and the US I believe. Some German tanks have the Karlie wood wheel or the Rodipet wood wheels, but they also tend to line their wood wheels with a plastic track from the Wodent wheel to help waterproof them - so with that thinking I reckon you might as well have a Wodent wheel. On the other hand the Germans don't have the California wheel easily available.

Here are the ideas for hanging one in a tank - looks a bit complicated to me! Thought you might be interested as you've made a good job of your wood shelf!

Wodent Wheel Tidbits

I think one of the darker colours would look ok in the California wheel - less obtrusive. The white stand part could be under the substrate.

Jenibelle · 12-30-2015, 09:25 AM

oh, thank you for the read! I skimmed through, but I will check it up in more detail when I wake up more

The wheel would be going into the sand section. Any opinions on how that would work with either wheel?

(and yes, the wooden Trixie one looks exactly like the Karlie one. The first time I saw it I thought the brand was actually mislabeled! So sad it doesn't work as well, though. Also, I really shouldn't spend so much on a wheel if I would have to replace due to accidents).