Hamster Tubes for Robo

[Pygmypuff]

Ah, thank you Amity for clearing that up for me, I thought so! Thanks!

[AmityvilleHams]

No problem!A lot of people still think that,but luckily we've grown quite a bit from what the hamster keeping once was with all the terrible misinformation and awful cages and such

[velma]

Just to add to what has already been said - robos are rubbish at climbing. They'll try but they're rubbish at it because of their hairy feet. I wouldn't have long expanses of tubes but a few short sections to link to burrow boxes would probably be fine but nothing with any steep climbs. I really wouldn't reccomend the mouse ladders as they can cause injury if the hamster slips and catches their leg.

With regard to cage size, not one size fits all. I think we all agree that bigger is generally better and that even dwarf hams need plenty of floor space to run around. However, some robos (particularly pet shop robos that have been in a small tank for a while) can be overwhelmed by too large a space even if there is plenty of cover. I think that the p@h medium is about the same size as the mini duna, if it's the one I'm thinking of? if so, I don't actually think that's a bad size for a robo when you first bring them home. A smaller (not tiny, just smaller) cage can help with taming as the ham can feel more secure to start with. After a few weeks you can see what sort of personality your robo has and work if they need one big open space or the same base unit and added burrow boxes etc.

[SmolHam]

I know the cage has only half the size of the floor space as it should have but that's all I could afford at the time. Unfortunately I can't get a detolf cage as much as I would like one as I move house every year and it's fairly inconvenient to shift it as well as having no room to store a detolf in rented accomodation.

So for the short term I just want to have a burrowing space for her in a less open space small tank as she doesn't seem to like open spaces. I'm looking to build a bin cage but not sure where to start. Would a 2 level bin cage have combined floor space or still need to be one level? I don't quite understand that as they still have access to the area, unless they need to run from end to end, but even so I thought robo's like their cages packed with things so it's hard to do that anyway?

[Pygmypuff]

SmolHam,

I would definitely go for a bin cage in that case! There are some fantastic bins at IKEA which are super cheap and very easy to make into a cage!

Here is a link to how to make one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Ev1brzmHI

[Gimleyand Meeko]

I would recommend two Billy Cages together This is the size of the detolf but it is easy to pack and lighter and can be split into two pieces

Here are the links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-GKabRQdY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDg1mWT0q90

Hope I helped

[AmityvilleHams]

I'd go with either a double Billy or double Lack side table unit then!They're capable of being completely taken apart unlike the Detolf where you'd always have two huge pieces of glass to find space for(and risk completely destroying with every single move).Both would be extremely affordable options as well,with the Billy being the most expensive of the two but they both have their own benefits and drawbacks

With bin cages they still have to be one level,that is something universal about every single cage for hamsters.Adding bins again does not count,unfortunately,unless you cut the side off a bin and then manage to attach it to another.That would be an absolute pain though and very flimsy,so it's much easier to just do an Ikea hack instead.

Also,double Lacks would cost about the same as a Samla bin with just a tiny bit extra for a lid and optional doors.Substrate borders can be made for pretty much nothing just using plain cardboard,so that is no problem either.

[SmolHam]

Thanks guys, I think I'll probably go with a Billy cage at some point in the near future.

Just a quick question with the mesh on top of the billy cage, is that needed? or just make hamster feel a bit more secure as I don't think they can climb up the billy cage?

[Amber_x]

If you have predatory animals like cats or dogs or if you have small children in the house you do need to have a lid, if not it is still best to have one but with a robo you probably could try going without. I wouldn't risk it personally.

[Gimleyand Meeko]

I would always recommend a lid as then you won't need to worry about an escaping hamster.

Amber x has a good point too, do you have any predatory animals?

The video on the Billy Cage explains how to make the lid with the measurements
Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-GKabRQdY