Is this a crazy idea for a new enclosure?

[mojolicious]

It was only this year we established that hamsters require oxygen.

Possibly.

[namrufmo]

Thats what I was thinking...

[StarlightSerenity]

I dont think you would need to replace the glass if you added ventilation panels to each level (both sides and back), plus a larger one on the top of it.

Replacing the glass would probably defeat the object of using a beautiful piece of furniture...

[mojolicious]

Shhh, it's taken this long to convince namrufmo to go for wire!

If done properly a mesh front can look really nice. Have a google and you'll find any number of shabby chic French larders and cupboards (at ridiculous prices). And of course it allays any concerns about ventilation.

By my reckoning a meshed front will provide around 220² inches of ventilation per level (plus namrufmo will be putting a couple of vents in the back to encourage airflow). To get anywhere near that through adding vents to the sides and back will (in my opinion) result in an 'industrial' looking cabinet.

Regarding the cabinet linked by namrufmo a few posts back, drilled holes would be more attractive than vents, but...

0.5" drill bit = 0.2² inch hole
drilling on a 1" grid = 80(ish) holes per row around back and sides
Venting per row = 16² inches
Venting per six rows = 96² inches
Holes per level = 480
Total holes = 1920

That's probably an adequate level of ventilation (bearing in mind that they're simply holes, which should be more effective than louvered vents) but it's an awful lot of drilling...

Wire FTW!

[namrufmo]

These are the vents I'll use on the back..
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...fb62a4_300.jpg

And I agree...a wire mesh painted black will still look attractive...I'll try that route and see how it looks...

[namrufmo]

I want to add a few water bottles...maybe even one for each level. Whats the best way to attach them to a solid wall? Suction cups won't work....

[Demecat]

Originally Posted by namrufmo

I want to add a few water bottles...maybe even one for each level. Whats the best way to attach them to a solid wall? Suction cups won't work....

If you could get a suction cup clip one so the cup remans attatched when you remove the bottle, you could glue the cups?

[namrufmo]

Originally Posted by Demecat

If you could get a suction cup clip one so the cup remans attatched when you remove the bottle, you could glue the cups?

I'm having trouble finding something like this in the USA

[namrufmo]

I started it!

[Teddybearhamster420]

Originally Posted by mojolicious

0.5" drill bit = 0.2² inch hole
drilling on a 1" grid = 80(ish) holes per row around back and sides
Venting per row = 16² inches
Venting per six rows = 96² inches
Holes per level = 480
Total holes = 1920

!!!!!!!!!! I have NOIDEA what you said here.

namrufmo: It looks awesome! I LOOOVEEEE it *Jealous*