Just bought a Gabber Rex now !!

[donnac]

Hi guys hoping to buy a hamster in the next few weeks but after searching the interenet over the past few weeks a see more and more people are using tubs or fish tanks for the hammys

I have had a look in the pet shop & 2nd hand papers and can get a 30" long x 12" x 15" for around £20-28

So i understand i will have to buy mesh and make a lid for it and ive started buying toys so the hamster has plenty to do.

Do you think this size will be big enough for 1 syrian ?

Does anyone have any how too's or good picture of the lids of theirs that i can copy to make mine?

Thanks
Donna

Also is there any dissadvantages of using a glass tank as long as there is plenty for the hamster to do and its well ventilated?

Pets at home said i should just buy a wire cage when i visited today as they said teh hamsters like to climb but i thought that they didnt see very well and could hurst themselves if they fell form the cages and also when they bite the bars its a sign of boredom?

Sorry if you have answered all these questions before but i really want to get the right cage this time as previously i have just bought the wire ones from the pet shop and the hamster chewing the bars drives my crazy

[souffle]

I have used tanks in the past and the main problem with them is that they are really heavy to clean especially the type big enough for a syrian. If you are prepared for this they can make good homes. I agree with you re the bar chewing in that they can be so noisy and really hurt their face or teeth. For the price you are talking about you could actually buy a Gabber rex cage which is a tank type and though some hammies can reach the top to chew they dont usually bother. All ours are in these cages. There are a few posts on this topic so you can look at them. I would say a 30in tank is big enough but it is heavy. and if a hammy stood on a toy he may just jump over that height and cling to the roof then hurt himself falling.

[Holly]

I'm not sure any of the regular posters on here use glass tanks for their hams (perhaps Snuggleham does, I can't quite remember??).

I'm with souffle on the Gabber Rex - it's a great cage and, though our most committed bar chewers occaisionally have a go at the roof bars, they've all but given up now.

Having said that I also like the look of the Savic Cambridge which is a nice big wire cage from Pets @ Home (I like it so much I managed to win a brand new one off ebay today - for a fiver )

[donnac]

Originally Posted by Holly

I'm with souffle on the Gabber Rex - it's a great cage and, though our most committed bar chewers occaisionally have a go at the roof bars, they've all but given up now.
D )

This is a nice cage, can it be used without the platform thing as it looks quite narrow

So apart from the weight of the glass cage when cleaning is there any more drawbacks?

You have certianly swayed me showing me this Gabber Rex

Thanks

[donnac]

Just won this cage on Ebay, its a tank style which is good and at 21" or 53cm its a good size too,12" wide and 9" high so should fit all the toys i want to get in there


Got it for £12 Brand new plus p+p and get some sawdust etc to get me started

Was looking at the Roddy but think the bar area seems bigger on this one so i can hang some stuff from it

Will do just now and if i feel i need bigger or better i can always sell it on

Thanks again

[souffle]

I think you will find that easier to manage than a tank donna. It will give nice easy access for taming too. Now all you need is someone to fill it and some toys. I would get one of the igloo style beds that is open at the bottom as it is easier to get the hammy out by just lifting the igloo up. They also like to sit on top of them. A free standing wheel and some toys and you are off!
The Gabber can be used without the platform but everyham loves it as they sleep on it, stand on it and store behind it!

[donnac]

Woohoo just won a Gabber Rex on Ebay was just listed so i snapped it up for £25, its only been used for a few months too

The wheel is missing so what wheel should i buy for a syrian?

Thanks

P.s here is a pic

[Jane]

Well done for getting it so quickly and cheap :P What you gunna do with the first one now?

For wheels..wodent wheels, comfort wheels, rollly jumbos are all good Aslong as you get a solid wheel at least 7.5" it's fine

[souffle]

Good buy. Now you will need two hammies to fill those cages! You will LOVE the rex. Don't worry about the missing wheel as it is too small for a syrian anyway. The Savic jumbo rat rolly is big enough and it does sit on the slots on the bit where the wheel is meant to go though it can rub the edge and make it harder to move but most of ours manage it fine. You can get a stand for it. We always had these until we discovered the Wodent wheel which fits in fine on its stand. Ask the seller if they have the clips for the sides as they are not in the pic. We dont actually have them on our cages as no one has ever been able to lift the lid but just in case you had other animals or kids who might knock it accidentally. We take the lid off the little house as it is too small for a syrian and put the bedding under the platform and it is a nice airy bed for them. Babyboos lives not far from you and she might be able to help you with a nice, tame, breeder hammie. You could PM her and see if she has any just now or knows of anyone who has a litter.
I would also get a hamster potty and some chinchilla sand as if you can get your baby to use it it helps with the cleaning!

[donnac]

Originally Posted by Jane

Well done for getting it so quickly and cheap :P What you gunna do with the first one now?

For wheels..wodent wheels, comfort wheels, rollly jumbos are all good Aslong as you get a solid wheel at least 7.5" it's fine

Hi Jane, i will probably have to sell the first one as it took me long enough to convince the other half to let me get another Hamster ive just moved in with him and he was a bit scared of my last one