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Old 02-07-2016, 05:49 PM   #1
Evievimes
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Default Anyone here with a detolf?

Hey!

I'd love to set up a detolf for my syrian hamster and I was wondering how much on average the whole project costs, advice on cleaning, and if you could share pictures of yours that would be great

Thanks so much in advance,

Evie and Oscar
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Old 02-07-2016, 06:09 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Anyone here with a detolf?

The detolf itself costs £40. You then need some strips of wood and some 1cm square mesh to make a lid (you can get them cut to the size you want at the diy store). Maybe £10. If you wanted to stand it on two of these kallax units (it fits with a gap between them so both ends of the detolf are supported), they are £20 each, so another £40.

KALLAX Shelving unit - white - IKEA

But if you have something else to stand it on even better. Or two lack tables would work out cheaper

LACK Coffee table - white - IKEA

Then you need to allow £10 to £20 for a wheel, £7 to £10 for a house, and maybe another £25 for toys and cage contents, plus substrate.

The bits and pieces and extras can all add up, but you can make a lot of toys yourself or use a ceramic mug or toilet roll tube toys. Bendy bridges are a popular choice though.

Cleaning - check out Erin's hamsters videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo44ombbC6k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jVnEjrXbww
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Old 02-08-2016, 07:25 AM   #3
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Anyone here with a detolf?

This is mine


I ended up spending I think £70 total for the whole thing, £40 for the detolf then another £30 for materials. The wood was about £10, it can vary depending on the thickness and the width you get or what's available. I got mine in B&Q but because the wood wasn't very thick they said they couldn't cut all the lengths for me in their machine but I did manage to convince one guy to cut the lengths in half with a handsaw for me so I could fit them in the car! Mesh was quite expensive, I got the 25x13mm stuff also in B&Q which is £7 per sheet and with the dimensions (600x900mm) I needed one for each lid so £14, and then I also spent money on a staple gun and glue. If you plan on using nails and metal connectors those are quite expensive but the result might be neater than mine which looks a bit clumsy with the glue and staples but it's very secure and super easy.

Mine is sitting on lack tables which work fine and I much prefer the space underneath for more flexible storage than the kallax. I like the height a bit better too, I'm a shorty and the level is just perfect for me to get my hands in easily for cleaning.

Obviously there's a lot of tank to fill so finding a bulk bedding that works for you is important, a lot of people use Fitch which is a paper based bedding you can order direct or from Amazon (quick Google will get you sorted, it's easy to find). I use hemp, I used the Hugro stuff from zooplus previously and liked it, you get 100lt for £20 which lasted me maybe 3-4 months? But tbh I don't do full cage cleans and throw out a little bit at a time and sometimes give the inside a wipe with a cloth do I don't go through a lot of bedding, my Syrian is pretty well potty trained when she isn't peeing on her hoard out of spite . I recently bought the hemparade also from zooplus which is 150lt for £16 I think, it's compacted so easier to store and a very similiar, maybe even softer product, for better value.

Seconding serendipity's advice to look at Erin's Animals vids if you haven't already, she is very knowledgeable and that's where I got started too if you want any advice about setting up the detolf or anything don't hesitate to send me a PM
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Old 02-08-2016, 07:45 AM   #4
Cinnamon Bear
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Default Re: Anyone here with a detolf?

Your hamsters are really lucky to have homes like that! All the big cages look great!
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