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Old 09-19-2019, 10:49 AM   #1
NewbieLinz
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Question Tank for Hamsters?

Hi all.

I'm thinking of delving into rodent keeping, starting, probably, with hamsters. Originally, I was thinking of moving the fish I have in a 96l (long) tank to an understocked 200l and using that for my first hamster. Dimensions are 90x30x38cm (LxDxH). It has a lid, but I'd probably change it for wire mesh or something. Are there any species that are better suited to a rank? Dwarf hammy, maybe?

Would the tank be OK? Obviously it would have to dry out first, but it'll be a few weeks/months before I'm in a position to get a hamster anyway.

I know I'd need substrate (what's the best type to get?), an exercise wheel, a food dish, a water bottle, toys. Am I forgetting anything?

Anything else I need to know to care for a hamster?

Signed,

A complete newbie.
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Old 09-19-2019, 11:18 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Hi, that size is a little bit on the small size, it is normally recommended that the absolute minimum size be 450sq inches which is 2903sq cm - so if you take your tank size, 90x 30cm that is only 2700sq cm.
To be honest with you the bigger you can go is normally better for the health and quality of life for your hamster. Personally for any hamster I would not be looking at anything smaller than 100cm x 50cm, but I know many people have larger and smaller than this. The larger the cage the less often it needs a big clean, you can spot clean every few days or so. Yes you would need a lid that provides ventilation.

I use megazorb substrate, it is quite a big bag and last me a few months due to the size of the cage. Many other people use paper based substrates such as carefresh or fitch.

Your list is correct about things you will need, but be cautious when buying an exercise wheel, you just need to make sure it is big enough for the species of hamster you end up buying and that it is solid and not a mesh type. You will also need some sort of hide, you can even use an upside shoebox or something similar for this. Anything that you can add to a cage that the hamster can run in and out of, you don't always have to buy things for this. You can recycle cardboard boxes/tubes etc

A vet fund is quite a good thing to have as well, for any unexpected situations arising.

Also, just to let you know caring for a hamster can be so much fun and can bring a lot of joy into your life.
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Old 09-19-2019, 01:00 PM   #3
NewbieLinz
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Thanks for the reply.

Same as for fish, really, then. The bigger the better. I'm not sure I have space for anything bigger.

Ok, thanks.
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Old 09-19-2019, 03:33 PM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Item to add: a sand bath

I have a fish tank that's smaller than yours. It's only 80cm long but it had to safely fit into the space i had available. Any longer and it would have stuck out causing us to trip over it, getting knocked by the hoover etc.

At one point i almost dropped the idea to adopt the little Robo nobody wanted and who had been living in a tiny pet shop tank for the past seven months of his life because i wasn't able to provide him with a big tank.

I did adopt him though and so far have not noticed any stress behaviours. He has deep Kaytee C&C substrate and has built tunnels, sleeps underground and must have a nest and hoard down there because he disappears down a hole with full pouches.

When he does surface he seems to favour his sand pit and wheel but runs around the tank as well.

When i upgraded my Syrian to a bigger cage i could not see any difference in his behaviour because he didn't display any stress behaviours in either cage. I was able to add a coconut hide though which he absolutely loves.

What i'm saying is that, yes, it would be great if you could get a bigger tank but if you can't because of lack of space, personally, i believe that a dwarf would be fine in your tank.

This is only my opinion and the majority of people here would probably disagree with me.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:04 AM   #5
NewbieLinz
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Item to add: a sand bath

I have a fish tank that's smaller than yours. It's only 80cm long but it had to safely fit into the space i had available. Any longer and it would have stuck out causing us to trip over it, getting knocked by the hoover etc.

At one point i almost dropped the idea to adopt the little Robo nobody wanted and who had been living in a tiny pet shop tank for the past seven months of his life because i wasn't able to provide him with a big tank.

I did adopt him though and so far have not noticed any stress behaviours. He has deep Kaytee C&C substrate and has built tunnels, sleeps underground and must have a nest and hoard down there because he disappears down a hole with full pouches.

When he does surface he seems to favour his sand pit and wheel but runs around the tank as well.

When i upgraded my Syrian to a bigger cage i could not see any difference in his behaviour because he didn't display any stress behaviours in either cage. I was able to add a coconut hide though which he absolutely loves.

What i'm saying is that, yes, it would be great if you could get a bigger tank but if you can't because of lack of space, personally, i believe that a dwarf would be fine in your tank.

This is only my opinion and the majority of people here would probably disagree with me.
Thank you. I've been in that situation with a fish, so I totally understand your dilemma. I bought the fish, just like you did the Robo, knowing that I could provide a much bigger and better home than the tiny tank he was in.

I know The Spruce says 24x12"/60x30cm for both Syrian and Dwarf hamsters.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:26 AM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by NewbieLinz View Post
Thank you. I've been in that situation with a fish, so I totally understand your dilemma. I bought the fish, just like you did the Robo, knowing that I could provide a much bigger and better home than the tiny tank he was in.

I know The Spruce says 24x12"/60x30cm for both Syrian and Dwarf hamsters.
Personally I would not be going by those measurements on spruce pets (i think that's who you are referring to?)

Have you seen this thread on the forum
Guide to Buying a Cage

If it helps, measure 60cm x 30 cm out on the floor and work out what you would put where, I am pretty sure by doing that you will soon realise how small that is for a hamster.
My Luna (syrian hamster) was living in a hamster cage 55cm x 38cm when I adopted her, I call it the hamster prison, just one look at a photo a friend sent me of the cage, I could tell it was far too small, it didn't even have room for a proper sized wheel.

I did a video on it, which may help you understand why I am all for the bigger sized cages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9KB...o&index=3&t=0s
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Old 09-20-2019, 07:07 AM   #7
NewbieLinz
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
Personally I would not be going by those measurements on spruce pets (i think that's who you are referring to?)

Have you seen this thread on the forum
Guide to Buying a Cage

If it helps, measure 60cm x 30 cm out on the floor and work out what you would put where, I am pretty sure by doing that you will soon realise how small that is for a hamster.
My Luna (syrian hamster) was living in a hamster cage 55cm x 38cm when I adopted her, I call it the hamster prison, just one look at a photo a friend sent me of the cage, I could tell it was far too small, it didn't even have room for a proper sized wheel.

I did a video on it, which may help you understand why I am all for the bigger sized cages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9KB...o&index=3&t=0s
Don't get me wrong - I know what you're saying, and completely agree, bigger is better. Like I said, that's the advice I'd normally give someone thinking of setting up a fish tank. I'm not saying I'm getting a cage that small.

That's why I said in my Intro post that I craved the advice of actual hamster keepers - the internet is a minefield of information and disinformation. As someone who's never kept hamsters or any rodents before, it's hard to know what to believe.
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Old 09-20-2019, 08:49 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by NewbieLinz View Post
Don't get me wrong - I know what you're saying, and completely agree, bigger is better. Like I said, that's the advice I'd normally give someone thinking of setting up a fish tank. I'm not saying I'm getting a cage that small.

That's why I said in my Intro post that I craved the advice of actual hamster keepers - the internet is a minefield of information and disinformation. As someone who's never kept hamsters or any rodents before, it's hard to know what to believe.
I totally get you, sometimes I think you just have to trust your own intuition and common sense. There are always going to be contradictions, and some people will always say there is nothing wrong with keeping a hamster or any other animal in a small enclosure. Do keep us posted if you do decide to get a hamster.
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Old 09-20-2019, 09:18 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Tank for Hamsters?

I personally would agree that 30cm is not deep enough. Having said that 90cn is a good length and if you set it up carefully and the hamster has plenty of out of cage time I would think it could work for a dwarf hamster. Definitely not for a Syrian Hamster - some Syrian wheels are almost 15cm deep.

Having said that I do think you would be better with more depth - at least 40 to 50 Cm even if it means less length. An 80 x 50 or 75 x 45 tank or cage would be the minimum I would use. But if I had a dwarf hamster who desperately needed a home and only had a 90 x 30 tank I would use it and look to upgrade later.

Have you seen the detolf option? Google “hamster detolf” and click on images. If it’s too big then there are other options like bin cages and barred cages. Which country are you in? There are some fairly cheap good options that could stand on top of a fish tank or a chest of drawers and be a good environment for a hamster.
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