Downsizing cages? Need more room?

[Gibbs&JackBlack]

I had one of the superpet ones given to me and I used it when my hamster had babies. Let me tell you, after watching a little one in there for a week, I would never use it permanently! The wheel is too small by any standards and putting an 8 inch comfort wheel in there takes up most of the cage!
And yes, I had to clean it weekly because it stunk up fast/less litter to pee in means more of it gets soiled.

The side tubes are also small for a Syrian and they tend to hide in the tunnels and they get peed in and are a PAIN to clean out. I've seen a Syrian get wedged in half and it took forever for him to figure out how to back out and it was terrible to watch.

I agree that spot cleaning the corners and changing the whole cage out every other week is a good plan. That's what I do and it works great.

Only you can decide what to ultimately do, but just know that a larger cage is a better life for them.

[Thrifty Hamster]

Originally Posted by HollyHamster

Actually, the larger the cage, the less frequent one has to clean it out fully. Just FYI. Also, Critter trials are a pain and a half to clean out so I don't think that they are even an option if you don't like to clean out cages.

I second considering bin cages, they are cheap, easy to make and light weight. It takes me less than 5 minutes to dump my bin cage out, and put fresh bedding in, and maybe another 5-10 minutes to scrub down the cage accessories like houses and wheels.

There is also endless ways to customize the bin cage to look the way you want. Its much more versatile than a critter trial.

Please, PLEASE, don't cram you Syrians into teensy tiny critter trails.

I-I already said I'm going to spot clean...

I would consider a bin cage, yeah. I might get something like a SALMA bin someday when I'm back near Orlando's IKEA. Over Springbreak mom said that we might be heading to my grandparents for a night or something and if I get a chance I'll ask her if I can pick up a few bins.

[Thrifty Hamster]

Originally Posted by Gibbs&JackBlack

I had one of the superpet ones given to me and I used it when my hamster had babies. Let me tell you, after watching a little one in there for a week, I would never use it permanently! The wheel is too small by any standards and putting an 8 inch comfort wheel in there takes up most of the cage!
And yes, I had to clean it weekly because it stunk up fast/less litter to pee in means more of it gets soiled.

The side tubes are also small for a Syrian and they tend to hide in the tunnels and they get peed in and are a PAIN to clean out. I've seen a Syrian get wedged in half and it took forever for him to figure out how to back out and it was terrible to watch.

I agree that spot cleaning the corners and changing the whole cage out every other week is a good plan. That's what I do and it works great.

Only you can decide what to ultimately do, but just know that a larger cage is a better life for them.

Even if I have my tanks, do you think I should still get the SALMA bins? If I get the SALMA bins I'd donate the tanks that I have to the humane society.

[Gibbs&JackBlack]

Do you have the 20 gal long tanks or the taller 20 gal tanks? I know the 20 gal longs are 30 x12 which is the min size suggested in the US. The taller ones have less floor space.

I'm not sure how big the IKEA bins are, I haven't seen those. If it's much bigger then it sounds like a great option because they would be easy to move around and more space. But if they are similar size, I would stick with the tanks IMO.

I happen to like tanks because you can see in them easily and easy to clean (but mine are waist high so I don't move them). I have a 32x14 tank w/ sliding lid that was a reptile tank and I love it. I got it off craigslist for $30 and it was sooo worth it.

I also have a Marchioro Kevin which is awesome!

[Thrifty Hamster]

Originally Posted by Gibbs&JackBlack

Do you have the 20 gal long tanks or the taller 20 gal tanks? I know the 20 gal longs are 30 x12 which is the min size suggested in the US. The taller ones have less floor space.

I'm not sure how big the IKEA bins are, I haven't seen those. If it's much bigger then it sounds like a great option because they would be easy to move around and more space. But if they are similar size, I would stick with the tanks IMO.

I happen to like tanks because you can see in them easily and easy to clean (but mine are waist high so I don't move them). I have a 32x14 tank w/ sliding lid that was a reptile tank and I love it. I got it off craigslist for $30 and it was sooo worth it.

I also have a Marchioro Kevin which is awesome!

I have two long tanks and one tall tank.