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Old 10-24-2018, 07:55 AM   #1
Hammyloui
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Default Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

After some research, I've decided to purchase an IKEA detolf, what wheels would fit and any ideas for a lid?

Many Thanks x
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:30 AM   #2
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

I usually wouldn't recommend a detolf for a Syrian because it's really not tall enough, but it can work. I would personally build a raised 'topper' lid but flat ones are much easier.
Here's my flat lid if it helps, they're very easy to make: http://www.hamstercentral.com/commun...49-post68.html

The internal height will depend on how you make your lid. Mine rests on the metal bar inside which gives a max wheel height of 31cm. Unfortunately that rules out the 12" silent runner. The senior (27cm) wodent wheels do fit I think but only in extremely shallow bedding. I'm not sure what the height of the 28cm trixie wooden wheel is but that's also a possibility.

If you made the lid to fit on top of the glass instead of the bar, it would really help. It's not that different to my version - make the lid a bit wider so it overhangs the width of the cage and then stick two planks of wood lengthways so those rest on the bars instead. That'll give an extra couple centimetres. The plastic trixie wheel would fit then.
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:57 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

Mango and Mimi is right about the wheel sizes I personally think a detolf is great for a Syrian - there are pros and cons to lack of height (less fall risks) and although it isn't quite as deep as usually thought of, I think the size of it makes up for that and the issue of fitting a larger wheel in is the only one really and there are ways round that.

Many people have gone for a set up with the wheel at one end in lower substrate and fenced off with higher substrate beyond it - or even with the sectioned off wheel and as a sand area instead of a sand bath. You would also have spacing for a flying saucer as well which would be a bonus.

Now this is a theory - not tried out - but if you drillled a hole in the end of the detolf it may be possible to mount the Silent Runner through the hole using the cage attachment plates. When it's off the stand it is only about 30cm tall. What I am not sure about is whether the bolt is long enough to allow for the depth of the detolf panel but it would be possible to just get a longer bolt. I have seen a wheel mounted to a detolf (ie screwed to the end) in this way.

I believe it was done with a Wood Karlie wheel off it's stand. Alternatively an 11" wodent wheel would be fine. There is so much space in the rest of the detolf that there is plenty of space for deeper bedding elsewhere and a lot of scope for enrichment of set up.

Most people make two standard lids that sit on the bars - it's the easiest option I think. Erin's Hamsters has a tutorial although some people have said the measurements aren't that correct so best to measure for yourself. Some of it depends on how wide the strips of wood are as to what lengths of wood you need.

So for example of the internal length of the detolf measured 160cm (I dont know, just guessing) you would need 2 x 80 cm long lids - less a mmm or 2 to allow for them to fit in comfortably. So you would need four lengths of wood a fraction under 80cm long. To get the size of the smaller end pieces of wood you would then need the internal depth of the detolf, less the width of the longer pieces of wood. So if the detolf measures 36cm internally (again guessing there) and your long pieces of wood are 10 cm wide and there are two of them then you'd need to take 20cm off 36 and only need a piece of wood 16cm long for the ends - to fit between the two long pieces.

To join the wood together you can buy little metal angle pieces that just screw in so you just need a screwdriver. The mesh you can usually get cut to size in the hardware store and use a standard stapler (a largish one probably but doesn't have to be ultra large) to staple the mesh to the wood.

Unless you have a very large syrian I would just go with a senior wodent wheel which will fit comfortably (it's about 31 cm tall - cant remember exactly). They can move about a bit on their stand so putting something like a heavy ceramic tile on the sand would help and then a thin layer of substrate or sand to cover the wheel stand. A medium bendy bridge or two on their sides can make a fence about 20cm tall beyond which you can have deeper substrate.
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Old 10-24-2018, 09:04 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

If you're very good at diy you could make a higher lid - but they look quite clever and complex to me - and then have whatever wheel you want - but I'm not sure it's worth it just for a Silent Runner wheel.

I think different levels would be important though to make the most of the space so a platform and possibly a subterrranean area or house or shelf with a gap under can be good. Plus bark pieces and cork logs make for interesting steps and texture.

A shelf or level could be a simple thing at one end - or a long narrower shelf all along the back (the kind of thing the germans do) which means they have shelter - something to sit under - for the whole length of the cage - but there are other ways of providing that. With a large area they still need plenty of "overhead cover" so they don't feel too exposed mainly via different levels or larger floor toys such as big cork log tunnels.

If you look on here you might find some ideas - there are some with 11"wheels and a sand area at the wheel end - there are also quite a few with not enough bedding and a bit empty! But there are some good ones to get ideas from on here with lots of different levels and interesting layouts.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...ih=498#imgrc=_
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Old 10-24-2018, 09:07 AM   #5
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

Both gave great advice! I have the IKEA Detolf and it’s an amazing cage!
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Old 10-24-2018, 09:45 AM   #6
RJS
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

I have asked for a Detolf for Christmas ... they think they are buying me a display case for my knick-knacks ... not a "display case" for Theodore Hamster! LOL
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Old 10-24-2018, 10:02 AM   #7
Hammyloui
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

Thank you so much everyone , I've had a look at some of the 'dome' shaped lids and they seem to be great for my heigh concerns. Currently, Loui has a comfort wheel and fits that but is surely going to grow out of it. im thinking about the Trixie wheel, currently on Amazon or the silent runner - currently on sugar glider shop, does anyone know any background info on the Savic rolly?
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Old 10-24-2018, 10:31 AM   #8
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

The dome does look nice just bear in mind it’ll weigh a lot. You’ll have to remove the whole thing to access the cage which doesn’t sound ideal. I prefer the square or trapezoid ones personally because you can include doors of some kind. Erins Animals has made some DIY cages that give quite good instructions on door making.

Savic rollys are notoriously noisy and aren’t really something I’d recommend. The silent runner would probably be the best option if you can, as they’re sturdy - especially important when a Syrian is thundering away on it all night.
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Old 10-24-2018, 10:38 AM   #9
Hammyloui
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

Quote:
Originally Posted by mangoandmimi View Post
The dome does look nice just bear in mind it’ll weigh a lot. You’ll have to remove the whole thing to access the cage which doesn’t sound ideal. I prefer the square or trapezoid ones personally because you can include doors of some kind. Erins Animals has made some DIY cages that give quite good instructions on door making.

Savic rollys are notoriously noisy and aren’t really something I’d recommend. The silent runner would probably be the best option if you can, as they’re sturdy - especially important when a Syrian is thundering away on it all night.
ahh okay , I know the silent runner comes in a 9" if I can't get the 12" to fit with a flat mesh lid ( either that or a trixie xD)... I shall also be purchasing a 12" saucer.
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Old 10-24-2018, 12:20 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Suitable Wheel Ikea Detolf

The 28cm trixie wheel will fit with a flat lid. Generally they are not noisy. Rolly wheels are rattly as mentioned and I think not quite the most safe or secure. There is also the wood 28cm Trixie wheel on Zooplus - same price as the plastic trixie. That would also fit. It's very stable and silent and has a cork running track which is nice for their feet - the whole thing including the cork needs painting with plastikote though so it's wipe clean and doesn't get pee stained. I've always just done the wheel bit and track and not bothered painting the stand with the wood wheels.

The Silent Runner is probably the best hamster wheel out there - but it is taller than all the others. It's a 12" wheel and on a stand which makes it taller as well. A 12" wheel isn't necessary. It's good because not only is it silent but it spins really well and easily and has a very safe sturdy stand. But the wood Trixie wheel is just as good and sometimes hamsters like jumping out of an open wheel Our last syrian loved jumping out of his wood wheel after a good run and landing with a plonk on the substrate and then lying there looking happy.

So I'd go with either the 28cm Trixie plastic or the 28cm wood trixie wheel plastikoted for a detolf. Or an 11" wodent wheel but they are very hard to come by in the Uk (impossible really - Rodipet in Germany sell them but at a cost - postage is high).

I prefer the Silent Runner for a barred cage because it attaches to the bars at whatever height I want but for a tank I think something like the 28cm wood Trixie wheel is good. I wouldn't go with the 9" Silent Runner for a Syrian - it might just be big enough if your hamster isn't particularly large but they run so much better in a larger wheel. A lot of people use the 9" silent runner for dwarf hammies It spins easily despite being bigger than needed.

And whatever kind of lid you want. Personally I don't see the need for additional height. Hamsters are ground dwellers and there's still plenty of space for levels.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._wheels/609617

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._wheels/174195
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