Rodipet Labyrinth

Pebbles82 · 03-21-2016, 08:48 AM

I've almost decided to get Charlie the largest Rodipet labyrinth house. The room sizes of the larger compartments are about the same size as his actual nest area in the current house (even though he fills the whole house with food and substrate

If his nest was in the one on the left with the potty in the centre back one he would have the same 'layout' as now plus extra places to put hoards. It's only 11cm tall. His current house is 16cm tall. So at one point I reckoned I needed two of them glued on top of each other as that would give a nice deep house and I could still put it on 2" stilts. But that would be an expensive option.

Now I think the house would be ok a bit lower down than his current one (the roof would be about the same height as the shelf on the left of his cage. I'd have to put it on stilts (I've already bought the dowels and some glue that the Germans use that is supposed to be good for wood and ham-safe) - I might even nail the stilts on and not use glue, not sure yet.

So it would have to sit on top of the substrate on legs/stilts, but I'd also need to 'hollow' out some substrate inside so he has a bit more roof height and doesn't have to stay on all fours while he's in there. Two inches height makes quite a bit of difference.

I'm not sure if 'hollowing out' inside would work as the bottom panels might end up with a gap under them.

flowerfairy · 03-21-2016, 09:02 AM

I am sure he would plug any gaps with substrate. It sounds like a good plan to me. More rooms in his house.

cypher · 03-21-2016, 09:07 AM

I'm a bit confused by the idea of stilts tbh!
The houses are very lightweight & the normal thing is just to sit them on top of the substrate & then let the ham do any digging or filling in or areas as they see fit

I generally sort of half bury them in the substrate so there are no gaps & the door is a bit more private too!

AmityvilleHams · 03-21-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I've almost decided to get Charlie the largest Rodipet labyrinth house. The room sizes of the larger compartments are about the same size as his actual nest area in the current house (even though he fills the whole house with food and substrate

If his nest was in the one on the left with the potty in the centre back one he would have the same 'layout' as now plus extra places to put hoards. It's only 11cm tall. His current house is 16cm tall. So at one point I reckoned I needed two of them glued on top of each other as that would give a nice deep house and I could still put it on 2" stilts. But that would be an expensive option.

Now I think the house would be ok a bit lower down than his current one (the roof would be about the same height as the shelf on the left of his cage. I'd have to put it on stilts (I've already bought the dowels and some glue that the Germans use that is supposed to be good for wood and ham-safe) - I might even nail the stilts on and not use glue, not sure yet.

So it would have to sit on top of the substrate on legs/stilts, but I'd also need to 'hollow' out some substrate inside so he has a bit more roof height and doesn't have to stay on all fours while he's in there. Two inches height makes quite a bit of difference.

I'm not sure if 'hollowing out' inside would work as the bottom panels might end up with a gap under them.

I would say don't use nails.Nails would be a lot less safe and have way too many risks for your hamster and for its safety you should never have nails in things.Maybe create slightly taller stilts?Or perhaps you could create your own DIY hamster labyrinth with bass wood and hamster-safe glue?It might be cheaper and easier to just make your own wooden contraption of any sort,and that would require very little tools and crafting knowledge.

Piebald · 03-21-2016, 01:07 PM

I can't wait to see this lol.
Sorry I know you have it all figured out-- but the Ham will do what the Ham will do . . .
I do seriously think those houses look great

Sarnaldn · 03-21-2016, 02:38 PM

I hope you dont mind me asking here on this thread about a labyrinth .
Basically , soon after I made my order I have noticed I bought wrong size ! which was recommended for robo hamster

.The opening has 5 cm diameter , do you think it should be ok ? I went for smallest size because I was afraid it would take most of the space in the cage .I dont know whether I should contact them tomorrow morning and try to cancel it and buy again ? or should I be fine with this size 31cm x 20 cm x 9cm for a dwarf ?

Pebbles82 · 03-21-2016, 03:25 PM

It sounds fine for a dwarf Sarnaldn

Thanks everyone. The reason I need to put it on stilts is to keep the height as a shelf and so he has the full depth of substrate underneath it. I know what you mean Cypher, about part burying it and that would be an option, but then I'd need another shelf over the top of it which would make access to the house roof tricky. I thought I'd prefer to keep the house roof as a shelf, higher up. Although there'd only be 15cm under it I think it would need some support as the large ones are quite big. But maybe not if you say they are very light

I know his current house sinks without proper support. If it's above the substrate and supported he can tunnel under it as well.

Good point that they will fill in the gaps

Amityville - I know I don't like things with nails but that's bought things when you don't know where the nails are. Charlie isn't a house chewer and as long as they were secure I think they'd be fine. Just tacks really. Obviously I'd keep an eye on it. It would just be like a 1cm carpet tack type thing through the wall of the house and into an 8mm dowel. The idea of making a labyrinth house is great but a bit beyond my skills (and tools lol). Just fixing four dowels at equal lengths is a major task for me lol.

I'm just waiting for Piebald to call me McGyverett again

I actually like the idea of two stuck on top of each other, making a 22cm tall labyrinth and partly set in the substrate as you suggested Cypher. But it would cost over £40 to do that!

I really like the design of the new ones as there are so many compartments.

cypher · 03-21-2016, 11:23 PM

I'm not a fan of too many compartments, they don't really need more than three, one reason I switched to the Getzoo labyrinth houses was because they have less rooms & the rooms are a better size, if too many are crammed in they can be a bit small to be of much use.

Pebbles82 · 03-22-2016, 02:45 AM

Hmm yes it's difficult. The Syrian Getzoo one isn't as good as the dwarf sized one. Not keen on the layout or the narrow top to the door under the ramp. The larger compartments in the Rodipet one will be about 12 to 13cm wide by about 16 to 18cm deep. The smaller compartments might be good for hoards. I did think the small compartment on the right could do with knocking out for access up top. Don't fancy sawing panels out though.

cypher · 03-22-2016, 06:56 AM

I had to saw a bit out of one of the really tiny ones, one of the first I bought & hadn't realised just how small it would be, I was impressed by how well made they are, chopping bits out isn't easy!
Do you think Charlie would use all the compartments? I'm just wondering, as he's always been used to the one bigger space if he might not bother with them & try to do everything in the one room?