Ferplast Modular Tubes

[Flossypet]

I have been a member for a couple of days now, and i have not seen anyone even mention Ferplast tubes. If you buy the standard pieces from pets at home and the more complex ones online from Porton Garden Aquatic and Pets, they allow you to create an interconnecting hamster burrow for a very low price.

I have recently invested in some for my hamster and the results have been amazing. My hamster sleeps in the 'hamster lab' which connects to those tubes and has not once chewed on the the bars since i bought her this.

[Ria P]

Thing is, burrowing hamsters create their own tunnel systems in a more natural way as long as they have enough substrate.

Personally, i don't like plastic tubes unless its just a single one to run through because i'd worry about lack of ventilation and moisture/condensation building up within the tubes but that's just my opinion.

[AmityvilleHams]

Plastic tubes aren't a good idea no matter how big they are or if they have holes. They all trap moisture, bacteria, odors, etc as that is just the nature of plastics and as such plastic tunnels(and similar items like plastic houses)can lead to serious health problems.

[Shannonmcn]

Yeah I don't like the tubes either. The whole "recreating a burrow" thing is a marketing ploy to get people to buy more small, plastic cages and more plastic tubes. How many years has it taken us to get away from syrians being kept in a Habitrail ovo?

I'm glad your girl seems to like her tube but do be careful shes getting enough ventilation.

[Flossypet]

I have found that in the long run, getting substrate which hamsters can dig in properly is much more expensive and when you do get it pet hamsters often don't create proper tunnel systems in it, but i am not that experienced in this

[AmityvilleHams]

It'd also be expensive to treat respiratory infections and such, if you're even lucky enough to have a decent vet to treat the health issues that can come from plastic tunnels and similar items.

[Ria P]

You are here now which is a very good thing so more experienced people can share their knowledge with you.

I've only had hamsters since March this year so am not one of the knowledgeable ones and still learning myself.

I wouldn't say deep substrate works out more expensive in the long run and with an adequately sized enclosure you don't need to change it that often.

I've had my Robo since mid August and only this week done a part substrate change because its deep so lasts a long time. My Syrian's cage i clean out every 4-6 weeks. My other dwarf pees lots so needs a clean or part clean much more often.

See, that's another thing. How are you going to clean the tubes effectively? Chances are that your hamster will pee in them and the hamster lab which i guess is plastic as well.

I think you would have been better off investing your money in more substrate rather than tubes but if i would have done my research before getting hamsters and bought more suitable things at the beginning i would have saved myself quite a bit of money.

I know you didn't ask for advice and only wondered why no one had mentioned the Ferplast tubes before so please don't take these responses as critism.

What kind of hamster do you have?

[Flossypet]

A Syrian. Look at my profile picture.

[Fluffagrams]

For me and some of my hamsters, these tubes have their uses.

I've had a number of diabetic Chinese Hamsters over the last 18 months and these tubes are a godsend. I know that things like wood are more natural but because mould can grow very quickly in a diabetic's cage, it's crucial to have items that are easy to clean on a regular basis.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Flossypet

A Syrian. Look at my profile picture.

I can't see a profile picture. Must be missing something.