DIY levels?

Cosmic · 05-22-2016, 05:54 AM

Has anyone made their own levels for their cages? Preferably basic ones not requiring too many tools!

I have a savic ruffy, and really want to add a level now my hammy is settling in. But the savic shelves will be £15 shipped which I'd like to avoid if possible.

Anyone got any ideas as to how to add a decent sized level on the cheap?

I already have a shoe box, and a small ladder up to a hammock. But I'd like a full width level to make use of the space.

ScoobyWoo · 05-22-2016, 08:27 AM

We haven't bought our hamster home yet but we have spent a long time getting the cage ready for when we go and pick her up (later this week-yay!)

Anyway... levels..

You can buy these:

NEW Trixie 6226 Natural Living Shelter AND Platform FOR Guinea Pigs Rabbits | eBay

We have one of those and it's sturdy and obviously very easy- just put it in the cage and done! I've seen them in the Range too- not the Trixie brand but very similar and only £5 I think they were.

We have also made a level for our cage from a pine corner shelf:

Value Pine Unfinished Shelfboard (L)300mm (D)300mm | Rooms | DIY at B&Q

We painted it with plastikote to make it waterproof and have used the small "eyes" from hook and eyes (like what is used in the end of curtain wire) to screw into the sides of the shelf. Thread them through the bars of the cage whilst the eyes are horizontal and then twist them vertical to lock the shelf into place...not sure if that makes sense...I'll add a photo.

We then used the bendy bridges to make ladders for the hamster to access the different levels.

ScoobyWoo · 05-22-2016, 08:31 AM

Sorry- should have said...those pine shelves come in different sizes/shapes so could be adapted for your needs really- just add a few more of the eyes to make it secure if it's a larger shelf.

Pebbles82 · 05-22-2016, 08:33 AM

I haven't made a level but I did add legs to a house

I just glued some 25cm dowels on. So you could do something like that with a piece of wood maybe. Jenibelle made a nice level for her tank with a piece of wood and some smaller pieces for legs.

If it's for a cage, a screw in shelf might be easier. Ranchhouse cages on ebay do some good ones that come with the screws and washers ready to go. It says they are away till the 1st June so there are no items showing in their shop, but this is a pack of shelves I bought from them, and they sell single shelves as well in various sizes.

5 PACK LGE DEEP SHELVES LEDGES RAT DEGU CHINCHILLA CAGE | eBay

A cheap freestanding platform is this Trixie one. It's quite tall (21cm ) so sits well above the substrate even if you have the cage base full to the brim of substrate.

You can get it for about £5 if you shop around (check the other sellers)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natu...rixie+platform

For a cage though, a screw in one might make the best use of the space.

Pebbles82 · 05-22-2016, 08:34 AM

Posted at the same time as Scooby woo

I think it's the same platform. It can be hard to get one exactly the same width as the cage, but two slightly overlapping ones might do. Ranchhouse cages do a 45cm wide one which would only have a little bit of unused space at the edge of a 50cm deep cage and you could cover/block that with something.

Or if you are up for a bit of diy, just get a piece of kiln dried pine cut to size at a hardware store, make some screw holes and fix it in with screws and washers.

These are cheaper than the savic ones - they would cover most of the width

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Frie...AWMG4DMM9TEPAG

Jenibelle · 05-22-2016, 08:45 AM

This is an older picture of Bernie's tank but it shows the level fairly well.

I just went to Home Depot and had them cut the piece to size. I made the fence with two different size small dowels, and the legs are also dowels. I used glue to stick the fences and legs on.

Cosmic · 05-22-2016, 09:46 AM

Thanks both.

I've been an impatient cheapskate and added a cardboard shelf for now. But will look into these other options for a long term solution!

Pebbles82 · 05-22-2016, 09:51 AM

I think it looks great! Love the idea. It'll probably last for ages. My only suggestion would be that runged ladders aren't always the greatest for hammies - easily solved by sticking cardboard or wood to the back of them

Amber_x · 05-22-2016, 10:00 AM

At the moment my hammy's cage has a platform made from cardboard with a popsicle stick structure on the back. The sticks go through the bars to hold it up, and also stop it from collapsing.

Cosmic · 05-22-2016, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I think it looks great! Love the idea. It'll probably last for ages. My only suggestion would be that runged ladders aren't always the greatest for hammies - easily solved by sticking cardboard or wood to the back of them

Why is that? Is he likely to hurt himself? Or just that they aren't as agile? He's managed ok with the one leading up to his hammock, so I thought I'd use another for the level.

I've got some lolly sticks I can use to back it if needs be