Suggestions on Sound Proofing Enclosure

Jenibelle · 11-24-2015, 08:31 AM

What accessories do you find best for sound proofing? Especially for wheels and bedding? I saw a wheel that claimed to be sound proof, and a lot of people agreed!... but there were also many bad reviews saying that the poor hamsters' feet were cut on it. Perhaps someone knows of a very quiet water bottle too? Honestly, any tips/suggestions you have, I would love to hear!

I'm asking because if we were to get a hamster, the cage would have to be in our bedroom. Seeing as we're diurnal and hamsters are nocturnal, that may cause a bit of a problem xD

In case this helps, I'm leaning towards either doing a DIY cage (book shelf, plexiglass OR coroplast, with a screened lid) or a tank.

Shannonmcn · 11-24-2015, 08:52 AM

What's the wheel with the bad reviews? Silent spinner? They did have an issue with quality control recently if I'm remembering right. The Wodent wheels are pretty quiet from what I've heard and the budget version, the Trixie, is fairly quiet. I have one that's developed a rattle so it's not that quiet anymore but I still sleep through it no problem. You get used to it pretty quickly.

I don't think you'd be kept awake by a water bottle, most of them are the ball bearing type anyway so they are always going to make some noise.

Jenibelle · 11-24-2015, 09:08 AM

Yes, I believe that was the one! It was made by Kaytee.

cypher · 11-24-2015, 09:09 AM

Are you talking about the Karlie wonderland wooden wheel? I wouldn't say there are many instances but there have been a few cases where splinters have injured hams feet with that one but it is rare, I have several & never had a problem, you just need to give them a good check over then paint with Plastikote which water proofs them & helps prevent any problems with the wood, they also make a cork lined one now which is even better, they are one of the quietest wheels I've used.
I agree all water bottles are going to make some noise but it's not as if hams actually drink much at all so it's not a frequent or particularly loud noise so you should get used to that pretty quick.

ETA cross post!
I've never heard of a ham getting it's feet hurt with a silent spinner, the problem is usually that they too stiff so just don't work!

Jenibelle · 11-24-2015, 09:32 AM

Here is the reviews for the silent wheel!
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Kaytee Silent Spinner Wheel, Giant 12-Inch, Colors Vary

I read a couple about feet getting pinched. These people think it's from where the colored part and white part clip together.

I'll check out the Wodent Wheel and the Karlie Wonderland Wooden Wheel w/ Cork, thanks to you both!

Hollykw · 11-24-2015, 12:30 PM

I have a flying saucer wheel and that is really quiet :3

Jenibelle · 11-24-2015, 01:11 PM

I was looking at the saucers as a substitute for wheels today, actually!!
Are they 'equal' to that of a wheel exercise wise? If I were to provide a saucer, would it be okay to not have a wheel?

Hollykw · 11-24-2015, 01:12 PM

Yes they are equal :3 they are wheels just a different shape

Piebald · 11-24-2015, 02:23 PM

Some hams prefer a wheel so it's hard to say.
I think you'll find that people with the hams in their bedroom get used to the noise after a little while-- in fact most say they like hearing their ham snuffling around!
No matter how quiet your wheel is there will be some noises.

Pebbles82 · 11-24-2015, 02:35 PM

In the US the quietest one is probably the Wodent Wheel. We have the Wodent Wobust and it is virtually silent. No issues at all. Occasionally someone will get one that squeaks a bit, but then you oil the spindle with veg oil. The other one that is popular in the US is the California storm wheel. Not sure if that is quiet or not - I think so as it has bearings. But the diameter isn't even all round and I think it is only 10" so that would be fine for a smaller syrian but the 11" Wodent is probably a safer bet and I think cheaper too. They are well made wheels and tend to last more than some. I'd say it is the quietest. The trixie wheels I've heard some are ok and some can be really rattly and noisy.

I would definitely get a wheel. A flying saucer can be ok as an extra, but they run better in a wheel and sometimes they can run with a curved back in a flying saucer.

This is the wodent wheel. It comes in different colours so other shops may have it in a different colour if that's an issue

Wodent Wheel 11 inch - Exercise Wheels

This is the page that lists wodent wheel stockists in the US

Wodent Wheel US Dealers

This is the California storm wheel - they're not cheap!

The Carolina Storm Wheel - Carolina Storm Hedgehogs

Virtual Keith got an amazing wheel in the US - a raptor wheel I think. Whichever wheel you get it needs a solid running surface, no grids. Silent Spinners are supposed to have issues these days. I tried one and sent it back. Yes it has little ridges, but also they just don't seem to spin well any more.

I'm really happy with our Wobust wheel (the 12" Wodent) but it is BIG. The 11" is a much nicer size as not so deep. 11" is the right size for most Syrians unless you end up with a ginormous one like ours! But you should be able to tell - he was a big baby too.