Is this storage box suitable?

[Cw2211]

Hi all, I have just joined this forum as I’m hoping to get a hamster soon. I have owned 4 hamsters already so am not new to the basic care etc and I have used the ikea billy case/shelf diy cage for one of my hamsters in the past and loved how it gave her a great amount of floor space and was lovely to see her through the glass constantly. For this new hamster that I’m really looking forward to getting, I would love to use a bin cage for it and have scoured the internet to find the best option for what’s near me. This looks like the best I can personally find and I am just wondering what everyone thinks as I believe it has enough floor space but I’m unsure if the height is a problem as it is taller than the usual bin cages I have seen people using for their hammies. Any opinions welcome I would really like to use this particular box as it’s a great size for where I will be keeping the hamster in my room and it’s in a shop near me so please let me know what you think and if you have any other suggestions feel free to include them, thank you
https://www.therange.co.uk/household...age-box#454184

[Ria P]

Hi and welcome!

What kind of hamster are you planning to get?

This bin is too small for a Syrian. You'd need to get the large Samla bin from Ikea for a Syrian.

I had a look at this bin at The Range myself to convert into a home for a dwarf hamster but the height put me off. You would always be reaching in and down which could be a bit scary for the hamster i think. That's only my opinion though.

Wickses does a very large bin but not too high if you have enough space available.

[sushi_78]

The Samla tapers quite a bit and is actually smaller at the base than the box you linked (the length is about 67cm, not sure about the width). Of course you could add lots of bedding to maximise the floor space.

Asda do a box that's 84x54 at the top, and doesn't taper too much. It's out of stock at the moment.

https://direct.asda.com/george/home/...kUpv3gVm3kwLX0

[Pebbles82]

The best bin for a bin cage I think is the largest really useful box. It's about 80 x 60 floor area - suitable for either a syrian or a dwarf. They are also supposed to cut better than many without cracking. It isn't cheap though and you could buy an Alaska cage from Zooplus for the same price. Have you thought about cages?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Really-Usef...-145L/p/143494

[Cw2211]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Hi and welcome!

What kind of hamster are you planning to get?

This bin is too small for a Syrian. You'd need to get the large Samla bin from Ikea for a Syrian.

I had a look at this bin at The Range myself to convert into a home for a dwarf hamster but the height put me off. You would always be reaching in and down which could be a bit scary for the hamster i think. That's only my opinion though.

Wickses does a very large bin but not too high if you have enough space available.

Thank you so much for the reply. I am leaning more towards a Syrian as my first two hamsters were Syrians and next two were dwarf so would love to own a Syrian again. If I do end up getting a bin that is only big enough for a dwarf though I would have no problem at all getting a dwarf instead.
I have heard about using the Samla from Ikea however it is currently out of stock at the only ikea near me and not sure when it will be back. I appreciate your input and will definitely have a look at Wickes to see if I can find a suitable one there, thanks again

Originally Posted by sushi_78

The Samla tapers quite a bit and is actually smaller at the base than the box you linked (the length is about 67cm, not sure about the width). Of course you could add lots of bedding to maximise the floor space.

Asda do a box that's 84x54 at the top, and doesn't taper too much. It's out of stock at the moment.

https://direct.asda.com/george/home/...kUpv3gVm3kwLX0

Thanks for the reply. I am planning on using a good amount of bedding as I have realised this time around researching that unfortunately I have not been giving my previous hamsters quite as much as I should so this one will definitely be pampered with bedding!
I do live right by an Asda so it would be great if they did have a big enough box in stock but I will keep checking, thank you

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

The best bin for a bin cage I think is the largest really useful box. It's about 80 x 60 floor area - suitable for either a syrian or a dwarf. They are also supposed to cut better than many without cracking. It isn't cheap though and you could buy an Alaska cage from Zooplus for the same price. Have you thought about cages?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Really-Usef...-145L/p/143494

Thank you for this reply, I have just found this one after following Ria’s suggestion. I will have to check the floor space I have where I am planning on keeping the bin cage to see if this one will fit so fingers crossed🤞🏻
Honestly I haven’t considered cages this time around at all as most of my previous hamsters have been kept in them and most haven’t been the suitable size so I don’t mind paying the same price for a bin as long as it means my hamster will have enough space and I’ll have good access to them.
Thank you

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

The best bin for a bin cage I think is the largest really useful box. It's about 80 x 60 floor area - suitable for either a syrian or a dwarf. They are also supposed to cut better than many without cracking. It isn't cheap though and you could buy an Alaska cage from Zooplus for the same price. Have you thought about cages?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Really-Usef...-145L/p/143494

That's the one i meant. Wished i had the space for it. It is true that they cut without cracking and they have a flat lid not a ribbed one which makes cutting easy providing you have an electric tool like a Dremel. You also need a power drill. I've done a few bins lately and believe me, cutting by hand with a knife or stanley knife doesn't work, you need the proper tools for the job.
You also need to buy mesh, cable ties and duck tape so the Alaska cage works out about the same moneywise.

[Cw2211]

Originally Posted by Ria P

That's the one i meant. Wished i had the space for it. It is true that they cut without cracking and they have a flat lid not a ribbed one which makes cutting easy providing you have an electric tool like a Dremel. You also need a power drill. I've done a few bins lately and believe me, cutting by hand with a knife or stanley knife doesn't work, you need the proper tools for the job.
You also need to buy mesh, cable ties and duck tape so the Alaska cage works out about the same moneywise.

I will have to check to see if we have the correct tools I’m sure I’ll be able to get some from a family member if we don’t have the right ones in the house. I will be getting mesh, cable ties and hoping I can find some patterned duct tape that I have seen people using if not I’ll just use plain haha but I’m really looking forward to doing the DIY bin and excited to see how much space it gives the hamster

Originally Posted by Ria P

Hi and welcome!

What kind of hamster are you planning to get?

This bin is too small for a Syrian. You'd need to get the large Samla bin from Ikea for a Syrian.

I had a look at this bin at The Range myself to convert into a home for a dwarf hamster but the height put me off. You would always be reaching in and down which could be a bit scary for the hamster i think. That's only my opinion though.

Wickses does a very large bin but not too high if you have enough space available.

Thank you for the reply! I am looking more at getting a Syrian as my first two were Syrians and my two precious were dwarf so would like to own a Syrian again. However, if I can only get a bin that is big enough for a dwarf I’ll have no problem getting another dwarf instead.
Unfortunately the samla bin from ikea is out of stock where I live and it’s the only ikea close to me.
I have looked at the 145l bin from Wickes and will hopefully be getting that if it’s in stock by me. Thanks

Originally Posted by sushi_78

The Samla tapers quite a bit and is actually smaller at the base than the box you linked (the length is about 67cm, not sure about the width). Of course you could add lots of bedding to maximise the floor space.

Asda do a box that's 84x54 at the top, and doesn't taper too much. It's out of stock at the moment.

https://direct.asda.com/george/home/...kUpv3gVm3kwLX0

Thanks for the reply. I will be adding lots of bedding as through research this time around I have realised that my hamsters in the past have not had as much bedding as they should have which I really feel guilty about but they were all still happy as can be.
It’s unfortunate about the Asda one being out of stock as I live right by a big Asda so would have loved to have that as an option. Thank you for the information though

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

The best bin for a bin cage I think is the largest really useful box. It's about 80 x 60 floor area - suitable for either a syrian or a dwarf. They are also supposed to cut better than many without cracking. It isn't cheap though and you could buy an Alaska cage from Zooplus for the same price. Have you thought about cages?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Really-Usef...-145L/p/143494

Thank you for the reply and the link! After seeing Ria’s suggestion about this box I’ve had a look and it will be the most suitable for me I believe so am planning on purchasing this for my hamster.
I honestly have not though about getting a normal cage this time as 3/4 of my previous hamsters have been in cages and unfortunately these have been cages that were really not big enough for them floor space wise. So I am looking forward to being able to give this hamster as much space as I can and making sure it has the best home. Thank you

[Ria P]

The Range and Hobbycraft do colourful duck tape.

My Syrian lives in the Alaska from Zooplus which is a spacious cage with a big front and top door.
My Robo lives in a fish tank which is ideal for him because he burrows and likes deep substrate but he won't come out of his tank and he won't be handled either so easy access isn't important.
My Hybrid lives in the 64l really useful box bin with a meshed lid and front window, tube at the front and a shelf with a ramp inside. He's diabetic and settled in this smallish bin so i decided against upgrading him to a bigger bin. I have to wash his bin weekly and replace wet substrate frequently so this bin is good for him.

I think the type of habitat depends a lot on the hamster.

Are you planning to get a baby hamster from a shop or a breeder or adopt one? I bought a baby one from pets@home and then adopted another two.
Wished i had space for more because i feel so sorry for the unwanted ones for sale on Gumtree.
There's also a very well run private hamster rescue near me who is often looking for good homes.

[Pebbles82]

I would have a look at the Alaska cage . Great size for a Syrian, the front door is very good for access and better interaction with the hamster. Is it that you had bar chewing problems with previous hamsters? That can happen if a cage is too small. I’ll link the Alaska for you. That cage and a 28cm Tricia wheel are often considered the best budget set up for meeting a hamster’s needs.

For a dwarf hamster there is also the duna multy tank style cage costing about £38. Access is quite good on those too and it’s a lovely clear cage.

[Pebbles82]

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small...r/cages/284288