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Old 02-07-2019, 05:09 PM   #11
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

You cannot have the detolf middle unsupported if that’s what you mean - the glass would definitely crack otherwise! I am using two 2x2 kallax units they also do a 4 box long one, with either or those the detolf will overhang a couple of cm either side so it’s all pretty much supported. I also had the detolf set up at my parents where it was on a table that was longer. If that’s the case you will need to put something (I used books) to support the majority of the glass. An overhang is better of course as the book height might not be quite right.

I wouldn’t stress too much about what cage you get and potential regrets, any cage will have its positives and negatives. To be honest of all detolf owners I feel like I’ve had one of the worst experiences with them, but would still recommend it to others and would definitely use it again myself

Last edited by mangoandmimi; 02-07-2019 at 05:22 PM.
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Old 02-08-2019, 12:36 AM   #12
Black_Inky_Eyes
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

Thanks, mangoandmimi,

I've been looking at the160cm long Malm 6 drawers would these be okay to support the Detolf weight?
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Old 02-08-2019, 12:58 AM   #13
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

It would support the weight fine I think, definitely seen it used before. With that it’ll need supporting as it won’t overhang the chest of drawers

Last edited by mangoandmimi; 02-08-2019 at 03:14 AM.
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Old 02-08-2019, 03:58 AM   #14
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

I know it is very nerve-wracking especially if you're spending a lot of money. I think I agree with Mimi that for a Syrian it needs to be 50cm deep. I was looking at tanks for a similar reason - needed it to be mouseproof in case we got mice in the house again. But I couldn't get anything just right within budget so went for 7mm bar spacing and just being careful.

Anyway - the detolf is your cheapest option. Custom Aquaria - you need to phone that number on that page (they are not very computer literate! But don't say I said that please!)

Yes I probably didn't go with Junglepets because it was just a bit less deep than I wanted and costly for something not quite the right size. Another issue I considered is all glass aquariums are - just glass and can be broken. The detolf is made of toughened glass - much harder to break the glass. Although it's not that deep it has a great floorspace.

It put me off the idea of making lids as well. Not just the diy but the time when my life was very busy. Even the Eco Habitat needs some diy really because in my opinion the lid needs meshing for it to be secure and escape-proof.

The man at custom aquaria talks forever but is very helpful - although effectively what he was offering to make was just a slightly larger terrarium - like the exo terra but you could have it 100 or 120 and with a deeper base if wanted - and it still worked out cheaper than the exo terra. It's just an awful lot of money.

Personally I would go with the detolf and don't worry about the wheel. The wodent wheel from Rodipet would fit or the Trixie wheel. Then if you decide it isn'tworking or not right it can be sold - there are often second hand detolfs for sale - they only for about £15 or £20. To stand it on you have these options that most people use.

Two of these (with a slight gap in the middle between the two kallax units or the units pushed together and one end of the detolf butted up against a wall. It actually doesn't end up cheaper than a tank if you buy the Kallax units as well though.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-70307493/

Or two of these - cheaper option

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-80111339/

Or one of those 90cm lack tables and one of these, with a slight gap in the middle

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-60193736/

A four foot tank could sit on a chest of drawers with a bit of overhang - but I think that would be quite high up - nice to see from the front but difficult for the top access. I had the Kerry Terrarium on top of one of the smaller Kallax units and found that too high for top entrance easily - any higher and I've had needed a stool to stand on.

So there are the ergonomics and practicalities for the human as well as the hamster to consider too. I don't think I'd want a tank on anything taller than the kallax units.

I think when I was trying to decide all this I got so fed up I decided to get a fairly cheap good sized cage (the barney) rather than wait any longer or try and decide - and then upgrade again if necessary and sell it on. I didn't like the look of it particularly but the hamster really enjoyed it. And I found it to be a more than adequate size so didn't feel the need to upgrade.

Regarding the cats - I can see a tank seems more of a wall and safer although cats can still sit on top of a meshed lid and pester so the main thing would be to keep the cats away. And have the hamster in a room where the cats are kept out of.

But I think either Junglepets or Custom aquaria will make you a tank the size you want for less than £150 - I found Junglepets easier to deal with. Although the guy at Custom Aquaria is a perfectionist I think and gives lots of options!
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Old 02-08-2019, 09:21 AM   #15
Black_Inky_Eyes
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

Do you think it's better to go with custom aquaria since he gives the option of a front door? Or does JUnglePets not do this too?

I forgot to mention whatever cage I get it will be going on top of the Malm 6 drawers as I already have that and now you can see why I was instantly drawn to Detolf.

I'm thinking of asking for a 155 by 40cm with I think maybe a 20-inch height how does this sound to you guys?

Serendipity7000 I'm 100% there with you on the DIY issue. That's why I started to ask about other cages because I have no time or resources to build a lid but didn't say because I didn't want to come across as lazy

Last edited by Black_Inky_Eyes; 02-08-2019 at 09:58 AM.
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:48 AM   #16
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

I think at least 50cm deep - if it’s deeper then 120 to 140 cm would be long enough. Or would that not fit on top of the malm well? Is it the long malm you have or the single set of drawers. No Junglepets just do straight tanks.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:05 AM   #17
Black_Inky_Eyes
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

Yes, it's the long Malm horizontal 6 drawers that cost £80 so this size will fit just fine. This will give me around 1000 sq inches of floor space.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:20 AM   #18
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

That chest is ideal for a detolf! I just thought - a tank the size you mentioned would probably cost a fortune. I was only quoted for 100 x 50 x 50 and that was over £100 about 3 or 4 years ago. For 150 x 40 or 50 you could be looking at over £200. If you already have the Malm you could pick up a second hand detolf for about £15 or £20 - possibly even with kids already made if it’s been for a hamster- seen such things on eBay.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:24 AM   #19
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

The lid isn’t that onerous as you can get the wood cut to size at the diy store. It’s a bin cage I would draw the line at for diy! For the detolf kids you literally just need a few pieces of wood, some mesh (also cut to the size you want at the diy store), an office stapler and four little brass corners - and a screwdriver.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:26 AM   #20
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Is this vivarium ok?

That would be good. Custom made are generally very expensive so probably look out for standard five foot tanks as that’s more or less the same length.
The prices here (see 60” tanks in description) https://www.junglepets.co.uk/larger-...from-341-p.asp for 5 foot tanks are rather high maybe ask for the thinnest glass as it won’t be holding water.

Agree that lid really aren’t that bad especially once the b&q man has cut the wood to size for you. The worst part about it is cutting the mesh while trying to keep your hands in tact to be honest. I would personally buy a brand new detolf and not second hand - I’m quite sure all the moving around of the detolfs weakens them further but I might be paranoid. Mine has been up and down the country in the back of a car several times and don’t think it’s done it any good.

Last edited by mangoandmimi; 02-08-2019 at 11:33 AM.
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