Need help with new cage ideas.

nenenuzzle · 04-30-2019, 04:18 AM

I'm looking into getting a new cage for my hamster Tofi, she's currently in a Savic Plaza but I think in general it is not suited to her needs.

Tofi loves to burrow and run a round a lot in her wheel, not very interested in climbing. Tofi isn't really interested in boredom breakers or puzzles, just wants to run! She does bar chew and I'm managing it for the moment but some nights I can tell she isn't happy. I want to make either a large bin cage or DIY something together.

I'm looking at either these two bin cages: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Really-Usef...-145L/p/143494

https://direct.asda.com/george/georg...d=D26M21G01C03

Or using this desk to build one that I have the skills for:

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-30128629/

I'm just not sure what route to go down, the bin cages would be easier to make and slightly cheaper I think.

mangoandmimi · 04-30-2019, 05:13 AM

To be honest I don't think either of the bins suit a Syrian any more than a plaza does, they would be a downgrade in size and I don't think they're quite big enough. The stuva bench looks better imo but again it is smaller than the plaza and if she is bar chewing then downgrading isn't really the best route to go down. Although being able to add much deeper bedding may well sort that out especially if she likes burrowing. Have you had a look at the linnmon cages? They do 100cm or 120cm by 60cm wide which are good sizes and similar to the stuva build. Similarly you could consider an ikea Lack table build, I've seen several nice ones using the large 118cm table.

nenenuzzle · 04-30-2019, 05:19 AM

Thank you for the other suggestions, exactly what I had hoped for as I wasn't too keen on my ideas as they are smaller. I'm not too good with numbers and get overwhelmed looking over different measurements.

I do like the idea of the linnmon cages especially with the recent threads but I wasn't sure if I would have to cut them at all as I'm not good at that. If I can just hammer them together that's great.

The Lack is a good option though!

mangoandmimi · 04-30-2019, 05:30 AM

Yeah cutting them might be an issue without the right power tools. 60cm tall is a really good height though and you'd want that for deeper bedding, so you could just use linnmons for base and back, and for the shorter sides maybe source some melamine coated wood elsewhere (b&q/wickes) where they should cut it to size for you. Might add to the cost though. I did something similar a few years ago and only used a linnmon as the base.

Shannonmcn · 04-30-2019, 05:37 AM

Bin cages are easier if you have a reliable way of cutting the plastic. I tried heated and unheated stanley knives and couldn't manage it, and shattered a lid with a jigsaw before I got my hands on a soldering iron which worked like a charm. They run about £15 I think.

The stuva is going to need an appropriately sized base screwed on and as far as I know IKEA don't do 90x50 tables so you may need some way of cutting one down to size. Finding perspex in that size might be tricky too but just screwing the boards together is manageable. You might also need to think about sealing the edges with aquarium silicone. I blew my DIY budget out of the water not planning it out step by step properly.

I would encourage you to go for the DIY if you can manage it. It will definitely be more work and more expensive but the result is much nicer.

Pebbles82 · 04-30-2019, 05:41 AM

Would you have room for a detolf? It's an easy diy with a lot of floorspace and looks nice

I agree the bins don't give a lot of extra room. The Linmon diy cage might be good though - I think it's 100cm by 60cm. DIY projects can work out really quite expensive though. Some Linmon cages end up costing £100 ish. What with glass, plexi and all the extra bits and pieces. The detolf costs £60 and only needs cheap wood strips and mesh for the lid. Reckon you'd get the extras for that for £15 to £20 max. On the other hand you'd need something to stand it on.

A cheap option might be a second hand four foot fish tank and just make a lid for it. They can be had quite cheap on ebay sometimes. I've never found anything like that in my area though! The cheap ones can look a bit grungy and need a fair bit of elbow grease to clean them up.

nenenuzzle · 04-30-2019, 05:41 AM

If my dad is around it's fine, I'm good with tools but i need someone to check my measurements. As I'm more prone to making things very wonky. I'm going to look more in the linnmon but I think I might go for the Lack table idea.

nenenuzzle · 04-30-2019, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Would you have room for a detolf? It's an easy diy with a lot of floorspace and looks nice

I did look at the detolf, I was concerned about the metal bars with Tofi's chewing and fitting in the wheel. It could be a back up idea though, I need to look into backboards and perspex first

nenenuzzle · 04-30-2019, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannonmcn

Bin cages are easier if you have a reliable way of cutting the plastic. I tried heated and unheated stanley knives and couldn't manage it, and shattered a lid with a jigsaw before I got my hands on a soldering iron which worked like a charm. They run about £15 I think.

The stuva is going to need an appropriately sized base screwed on and as far as I know IKEA don't do 90x50 tables so you may need some way of cutting one down to size. Finding perspex in that size might be tricky too but just screwing the boards together is manageable. You might also need to think about sealing the edges with aquarium silicone. I blew my DIY budget out of the water not planning it out step by step properly.

I would encourage you to go for the DIY if you can manage it. It will definitely be more work and more expensive but the result is much nicer.

My sister ordered the large asda bin for a playpen for her hamster (just arrived) and it came shattered so I'm not going with the bin idea now so I'm going to DIY it.

I didn't realise that about the Stuva, thanks for pointing that out. I think linnmon or lack is the way to go. With the detolf as the back up.

Pebbles82 · 04-30-2019, 05:49 AM

If a glass tank appeals, Junglepets make them complete with a locking mesh lid.

The biggest one they do is a 4 foot tank 120cm x 38cm deep x 45cm tall. It also has shelves although they will do one without the shelves if you want. It's about the same depth as the detolf so not that deep. So in that sense, a detolf would be better.

But they will make a custom size one so could make it 50cm deep if you wanted. The standard four foot one costs £94.99 and no diy

https://www.junglepets.co.uk/hamster...-15-1393-p.asp