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Old 04-13-2019, 11:16 PM   #1
Jin
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Default Is it worth upgrading?

Hi guys. I currently have the hamster heaven which my syrian hamster has lived (I think happily in) since I got her six months ago. The only problem is that since upgrading to a larger wheel it no longer looks as spacious and with all the toys and hidey holes I've put in, she doesnt seem to have much floor space even though ive added degus shelves. I've been looking at the Alaxender cage but its £70 and I've already spent a fortune adding to the hamster heaven lol but obviously want my furry friend to be as happy as she can be.

So, will 20cm of extra floor space really make that much difference? Like, will she be £70 more worth of happy? I could afford it at a push, but I certainly don't have money to burn.

Also, how much stuff in the cage is too much? I don't want her to get bored but also don't want her cage to be cramped which is why I'm considering upgrading. I'd go bigger if I could but don't have the room.

Will add pictures of current set up so you can see.
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Last edited by Jin; 04-13-2019 at 11:22 PM.
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Old 04-14-2019, 01:01 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

The Barney cage would be a good compromise It's cheaper than the Alexander and has more floor area. It's £54. The Alexander looks nicer (possibly) with it's curved roof, and it does have almost a full level extra, but I found the extra 4cm depth of the Barney (even though it doesn't sound much) makes it easier to fit a lot of the larger stuff in and still have plenty of floorspace.

20cm extra length doesn't sound much, but with the extra height you can use the roof space as well to attach things.

Now depending on how you want to set it up it may be swings and roundabouts with the Barney and Alexander. The Alexander comes with everything except a wheel. Three shelves, a ladder (which can also be used as a fourth "joining shelf" to make almost a full level) and you just need the wheel. However you are limited as to where you can put the wheel - usually centre back - and still have the shelves - and that can mean missing out the centre shelf at the back (or putting it at the front).

The Barney has a flat roof and you can put the wheel wherever you want. You coild even screw your wood wheel to the top to make more floorspace/substrate under the wheel - like this

See further down this page

suspending wheels

This is the Barney cage - it comes with a good sized house for a syrian and a good shelf. I have it for our Syrian. Painting the inside of the house with plastikote is a good idea so it doesn't get pee-stained. I also paint the shelf but ourhammy has never pee'd on it (of course he probably would have if I hadn't painted it!).

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small...r_cages/189303

20cm more doesn't sound much, but with a bit more height and a bit more depth it does make a big difference to useable space. The base is also quite deep and can be filled with substrate (with the 7mm bar spacing the substrate doesn't fall out).

I have a comparison photo here. Our Syrian was in a Hamster Heaven equivalent cage before upgrading to the Barney. Identical cage just different bar spacing. (Savic Mickey 2XL).

Just bear in mind the Barney wasn't set up on this photo - I had just stuck a few things in it before working out the best set up. Also mine has different coloured bars (grey instead of black) but the same otherwise.

Attachment 48184

This is what it looked like after being set up

Attachment 48185

What I did find is you do need some overhead cover with the extra height, as well as the shelf, so I found the hanging rat sputniks worked well for that and maybe other things tied to the roof. That partly depends on the hamster. Our current syrian loves the Barney but does like to move around with some overhead cover and have something to sit under, or they can feel a bit exposed from above.

With the Alexander you have plenty of overhead cover with the extra shelves. So that's why I was saying the costs need weighing up as although the Alexander costs more, you don't really need to buy anything else. The Barney costs less - and if you have plenty of toys and extra shelves as well you also may not need to get anything else. But if you did find you needed more "overhead toys" you could end up spending as much on the Barney.

Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-27-2022 at 06:45 PM.
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Old 04-14-2019, 01:45 AM   #3
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

I think it’s definitely worth the upgrade! Heres a comparison between my Criceti 15 ( same dimensions as HH) and the Alexander. Theres also a mini duna (hospital cage) on top but its cropped out.

DE0BA019-B33A-4AE6-BF5C-EB02ADA2310A.jpeg

Please ignore how messy the cages look, i have very messy hams and bigfoot’s just discovered he can tear up the hemp met from the shelves to add to his nest
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Old 04-14-2019, 01:49 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Love the Alexander set up
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Old 04-14-2019, 01:51 AM   #5
Jin
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Yes I did like the barney but the bar gaps are only 7mm wide I believe? Meaning I wouldnt be able to add the extra degus shelving I have as I need 1mm to do that. Otherwise I would definitely get the barney cage and just add the shelves I've already bought. Thats why I was going to go with the Alaska because I can play around with the shelves but now I even more confused lol
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Old 04-14-2019, 01:53 AM   #6
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Wow that extra 20cm certainly does make a difference. So can anyone tell me what size the bar gaps are on the barney? Has anyone successfully added degus shelves? Are the bars bendy enough to able to squeeze some degus shelf bolts through?
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Old 04-14-2019, 02:04 AM   #7
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

So I just measured the degus bolts. They measure 8mm. I'm gonna order the barney
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Old 04-14-2019, 06:56 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

I’m sure they would squeeze in the bars bend a bit. I’ve had a number of things screwed to the bars and not had any issues.
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Old 04-14-2019, 11:42 AM   #9
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

I have a barney cage for sale. I am in Petersfield in Hampshire if that is any good to you?
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Old 04-14-2019, 12:10 PM   #10
Jin
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Default Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Quote:
Originally Posted by flowerfairy View Post
I have a barney cage for sale. I am in Petersfield in Hampshire if that is any good to you?
I don't drive and have already ordered online now but thank you
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