Omg I got the call he's almost ready

[Pebbles82]

That's the type I get - thanks for that link Ria - I've only had them from Ranchouse cages before and they only sell them as part of a kit now.

Yes I can see left hand side is a good place for the wheel Yes it can help to try a few things out before finalising a set up.

[Ria P]

Just a thought on the acrylic panels. If you replace the whole panel, you won't be able to add shelves etc. I've added panels just high enough to add more substrate. You can buy them or diy them like i did. I always forget how to link but there's a thread called "Savic top door" where i show the panels with shelves above.

[Pebbles82]

Yes the bedding panels are best - not full height. And you probably only need them at one end. Looks nicer than cardboard .

[crystalsangel]

Originally Posted by Ria P

This type. You can get them in different sizes.

Thank you will get them I do a have one I got from a pet shop but never thought to look online 🤦

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by crystalsangel

Thank you will get them I do a have one I got from a pet shop but never thought to look online 🤦

I also get mine from a pet shop because i rarely shop online. I find that the small, independent pet shops often have better supplies than a p@h. I do like the p@h coconut hides though.

[crystalsangel]

I prefer the full acrylic as I wanted a tank style cage but needed something lighter plus tanks are expensive ��
I will be using platforms instead of shelfs like I have in the other cage

[crystalsangel]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Yes the bedding panels are best - not full height. And you probably only need them at one end. Looks nicer than cardboard .

Attemp number 2 what do you think?
The wheel will go on the aspen left side

[Pebbles82]

Wow - that looks better I'd still have a lot more substrate on the left but maybe you're waiting for the acrylic panels? Or - is that where the platform is going to go? In which case the substrate doesn't need to be much deeper really if there's a platform over it.

Tricky thing with fitting platforms in a barred cage is, as you say, it doesn't have the straight sides. So the feet push the platform way from the edge of the bars and leave a gap due to the curved cage base. Unless it's a platform with inset legs! I think the Trixie living platform works that way - the edge of the platform still extends to the bars because the legs are inset.

However you could adapt one. Getzoo make excellent platforms in all shapes and sizes at 21cm high (ie tall enough to sit above substrate level (and also at about 16cm high). They have attachable legs but presumably you could leave the back legs off and glue them on at the sides instead? Not sure how that would work!

Platforms are easier to find than shelves though. I had to get my shelf cut to size from ebay and then change the fixings. I can send you the link if you like?! It fits the plaza perfectly - she was happy to cut a bit off one end to my measurements and also cut a bit off two corners (the plaza has curved inside corners) so it fitted. The downside was the fixings it came with weren't any good - they protruded out of the bars (catch hazard) and made it impossible to get the shelf in the cage with them sticking out on three sides! But they pulled out quite easily and then it was just a case of drilling new small starter holes and using normal screws instead (with the existing provided washers).

Or - you could make knuff shelves - they used to be very popular. They just sit on the cage base and build up to a platform. Or you can cut the base out and stick legs on (Ikea Knuff magazine racks). But the small hole needs blocking off or a hamster could get stuck).

knuff hamster shelf - Google Search

Actually maybe not - they're more for straight sided tanks as well.

[Pebbles82]

These are the Getzoo platforms (two different heights for each size) - looks like the back legs aren't quite inset enough but they could be glued on further in?

Etagen | Einrichtung & Zubehor | Getzoo.de

This is the trixie one with the inset legs

Amazon.co.uk

Some people have used these shelves too.

Amazon.co.uk

[Pebbles82]

My shelf. She makes them herself and if you send the dimensions she'll cut it to size. you can see what I mean about the fixings though - they are wedged in and stick out on all three sides so you can't manoevre the shelf into position! At first I just pulled them out of one side to get the cage in but then thought I didn't like the bolts sticking out so pulled them all out. But it meant using a drill with a very tiny drill bit to make new holes to put screws in (which could be a faff if you don't have a drill or the right drill bit!).

Meadowland 20" x 10" KIln Dried Pine Shelf Ledge Chinchilla Degu Rat Guinea Pig | eBay

These are the coloured bendy bridges I have (without gaps). They're not just bendy bridges - they also screw to the bars at one side so could be put anywhere or used as a fixed ramp. But they only sell them as a kit now with the two small shelves which makes it expensive if you only want the bendy bridge. I do find the little shelves useful as well though - I've turned them into steps before. They all come separate, not attached together like in the photo.

Two 6x4" shelves with log bridge/ramp rat,degus,chinchilla,chipmunk cage 7107714281992 | eBay

Ranchhouse cages, who sell those bendy bridges, do make shelves as well and they would probably make you one the right size if you email them (and their fixings are good - predrilled holes plus screws and washers).