Ferplast ratatout 80 for roborovski pair?

[hammys r best]

Hi all,

We're thinking of adding to our hamster family (just 1 lovely syrian) with a pair of roborovskis. Won't be for a while yet, but have had a good read of what they need etc. So our syrian is very happy in his Hamster Heaven but I think I need a tank- which I can fill with lots of substrate, see the hamsters easily and no levels to fight over. Just wondered if anyone had seen this tank in real life, I've only found it online. Also, is it possible to remove the metal shelf or is it fixed?
Also, can I buy a house for them to sleep in or is that just another thing to possibly fight over? Last question, what is the general chance of success in keeping a pair together? Many thanks.

[KWsHamstery]

I don't have much advice to offer about the cage, but I just wanted to say I think adding to your hamily is always a great adventure! Of course you can buy Robos a house, just make sure it is big enough, and if the pair are siblings I think its generally easier, but over all I don't think keeping pairs together are very hard from what I've seen on here anyway. It seems like everyone has them in pairs.
I hope someone more expirenced has more advice for you!

[CreamSyrian]

Its listed at 79x30.5cm on the ferplast site, which is basically the size of a 20 gallon long aquarium. In my opinion, this is a bit too small, especially for a pair. Its also quite expensive at £118.19 on Amazon. A better option would be this:
Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Small Pet Terrarium Kerry
It has more floorspace (length x width) and is much cheaper.
Generally, it is not recommended to use levels with pairs as it can cause the dominant hamster to become territorial over the shelf. Regarding a house- if you use one, it should have two or more entrances/exits. You can also use two separate houses of the same type, but the best option IMO is just using an open nest; just provide a large amount of tissue paper and/or something like Carefresh or Fitch in the corner of the tank so they can make a nest and burrow underneath the bedding. Both my hamsters prefer open nests to houses
Pairs can live successfully if you have two wheels, have a very large food bowl or, even better, scatter feed, have no levels, have an open nest or a house with two or more exits, and keep things simple initially while they are settling in. Not every pair works, and you'll need a spare cage in case they fight, but if you want to give it a try then go for it

[purple_x]

A zoozone 2 would be a decent size for a pair of robos. It is 100x50cm

Or you could make a bin cage, there is a bin on amazon that is 99cm long.

[hammys r best]

That's great advice, thanks everyone. That terrarium looks great, better than the ratatout (less black) and a better size, so thanks for that, looks perfect. When the time comes I'll keep all simple, thanks. I'll have to go against my natural instinct to provide lots for the hams to do; the syrian has hammocks, lots of climbing things, lol.

[hammys r best]

I like the zoozones but the plastic not so much. It's bad enough having the hamster heaven with all it's plastic and bright colours but I've become used to it as it's such a great syrian cage!