Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-24-2019, 11:37 AM   #1
Black_Inky_Eyes
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 165
Default Alexander or Detolf?

So, for most of the time, I've been pretty set on getting the Detolf cage because it seemed that you get more for your money and is a popular cage.

However, I've recently discovered the Alexander Small Pet Cage which is around 800sq inches. This cage is £70 and the Detolf is £55.

I'm just after others experiences with both cages because keep in mind I'm not very handy in DIY and for the Detolf will need to also buy: sealant, wood, mesh, staple gun, staples and duct tape. As the Detolf is not intended for a hamster cage I'm worried more problems will occur with it but I'm also aware that bar cages generate more noise. With the Alexander cage, I can't get as much bedding in as the Detolf but I don't think I can fit a 12inch wheel for a Syrian. Also, I'm aware that the Detolf is a lot harder to set up and the Alexander will be a lot easier because it's intended as a small pet cage.
Black_Inky_Eyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2019, 12:53 PM   #2
alpacassei
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
alpacassei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1,109
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I’d go with the Alexander for a Syrian tbh. The width and height is much better for Syrian sized toys and you don’t need to do any DIYs to make it into a suitable cage. A lot of Syrians don’t burrow or only burrow if they have 30cm+ of substrate anyway but you can always make a burrowing box to fit in the Alexander. I’ve never really had a problem with barred cages being noisy either.
__________________
<3 Sunflower Custard, Bigfoot, Petal, Stormy, Flurry, Vanilla <3
___________
Angel hamsters: Francisco, Marcello, Peppermint, Mishka, Stephano, Sundae, Peach <3
alpacassei is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2019, 02:29 PM   #3
Pazzie
Newborn Pup
 
Pazzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: U.K.
Posts: 45
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I looked into the Alexander, Barney and the Savic Plaza cage and thought out of the three the Savic Plaza was my favourite because it has a nice wide front open for easy access. I wouldn’t want a Detolf for D.I.Y reasons, plus, wouldn’t the hamster’s urine affect the wood at the bottom.
Pazzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2019, 04:46 PM   #4
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

Ha ha - I did all this - I looked at so many different cage options and couldn't decide. In the end I decided on the Alexander. But it was out of stock for ages so I got the Barney

The Alexander is a great cage for a Syrian. It'll probably work out cheaper than the detolf too, without extras to buy. It comes with 3 houses as well as the shelves. The long built in house is good and hamsters seem to like it - you can fit a litter tray in it at one end. You can set it up in various different ways but the only real place to fit a Syrian wheel is in the middle at the back, which means leaving the joining shelf out - or putting it at the front.

The Barney is slightly easier to set up in that respect - it has a flat roof so you can put the wheel anywhere. Although I think the Alexander is a nicer shape. The Barney is also much deeper (54cm instead of 50cm) which does give a fair bit more floor space, but also makes the cage quite bulky - it sticks out further.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2019, 05:29 PM   #5
Black_Inky_Eyes
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 165
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I've also been looking into the Savic Hamster Plaza, any thoughts?? Thanks
Black_Inky_Eyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2019, 05:56 PM   #6
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I would get the Savic Plaza It does need a house though. It's about the same size as the Alexander but has a nice big front opening door and you can attach things to the roof and put the wheel wherever you want. It wasn't available when I got my Barney cage or I would have got the Plaza.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2019, 01:04 AM   #7
buttercuplols
Hamster Pup
 
buttercuplols's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 165
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I looked at all these options and if I'd gone for a barred cage it almost certainly would have been the Savic Plaza. I love the door!

In the end I settled on a tank style.. The Maxi Duna Multi and we're very pleased with it. I plan on putting a platform or two in with burrowing space underneath and toys/sand bath on top but the space is great. It's only issue is height. I have a wodent wheel and had to fence off an area with lower substrate at one end to make sure if fit OK. Sorry to throw more options at you if you haven't ruled that one out but I think it's worth a mention!

P.S. Don't agonised over it too much. I know I did! I lost a lot of sleep over it!!! All of the cages you've mentioned so far are great options which are highly regarded by many on here and you'd be set with any of them in my opinion!
buttercuplols is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2019, 01:37 AM   #8
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

I would go for the Plaza too, you really can't beat a big front door for ease of access both for getting things in & out, spot cleaning & interacting with your ham.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2019, 10:10 AM   #9
Black_Inky_Eyes
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 165
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

Just checking, would everyone really go for the Savic Plaza over the Detolf even though the Detolf has higher floor space? Am I a bad owner if I get the Detolf since there are more risks?
Black_Inky_Eyes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2019, 10:21 AM   #10
mangoandmimi
Little Miss Tinytoes
 
mangoandmimi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 7,036
Default Re: Alexander or Detolf?

Even though I don’t generally recommend a detolf for Syrians I’d still go with it over a plaza/Alexander/Barney for what it’s worth.
The shallow height of the detolf doesn’t mean that much since you can still get less bedding in any of the barred cages than a detolf unless you make some modifications.
The larger floor space is definitely a big bonus too, personally I don’t think a plaza provides the floor space I’d want for a Syrian.
It also comes down to what you think of bars and access - yes the front door of a plaza might be nice but I would still say access in a detolf is better, you’re rarely entering the cage from directly above since it’s so long.
mangoandmimi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
detolf, cage, alexander, lot, small, aware, intended, pet, cages, set, occur, bar, generate, gun, problems, worried, staples, duct, time, noise, hamster, tape, harder, syrian, easier

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:08 AM.