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Old 04-22-2022, 08:59 AM   #41
Pebbles82
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Show us what you've made!

So sorry - moving and uncertainty is incredibly stressful. I was in that position a few years ago when we were renting. And you don't always want to move at the time required. I hope it all comes together - it usually does Then once you've moved it's a relief (and a load of work lol).

I set up a Kerry Terrarium (glass tank) for our first robo and it looked lovely - I loved setting up a tank. But hated it for getting a hamster in and out and interacting - and moved him to a barred cage. It didn't look so glamorous but the hamster was happier and so was I.

One option you could think of (which is something I thought about once) if you don't mind a bit of diy. I've seen it done on a German forum. Was make a deep base for a barred cage. Kind of the best of both worlds. You have the deep substrate and you have the barred cage. But if you wanted to see into it - ie glass, it would probably have to be custom made. Jungle pets do that - they'll make a glass enclosure and size or shape you want and fit ledges to sit bars on. It would probably cost at least £100 though I think and so you'd need to have the cage already or you'd be paying for two cages.

You get people in the US with glass tanks actually buying a cage tank topper! Because they can't get cages and tanks are more easily available.

I've just put cardboard round the inside of my new plaza - not that high, only a couple of inches - gives about 7" of Substrate. On Pip's Plaza the cardboard is about 4" to 5" high giving about 10" of substrate.

Doesn't look glamorous at all. Although I did think, if I'd had more time, I'd have decorated one side of the cardboard that showed from the outside! I put it on the inside as well - attached with cable ties. I don't need to take the bars off very often and if I do I scoop a load of substrate out first.

Exo Terra's biggest suitable terrarium is 90cm x 45cm x 45cm. It's a good size - if you can find one second hand that would be good but yes they cost a fortune new. You are limited with substrate depth though as there's only about 15cm below the doors at the front. You could just use one door and have it deep at one end though.

I think it's the weight of tanks puts me off as well. The Maxi Duna Multy is better for that but it's a bit low for doing much with.

I've seen people be creative decorating cage bases as well!

But as Luna says it's up to you. A longer tank style like 100cm or a detolf, even though it's top access, might be easier as your arm could go in at an angle so your hand is more flat. A tall tank, it's like a claw coming from above and items descending from above!

You could make a diy cage with a front door though. Something like the Linmon cage, but instead of one sheet of glass in the front, a lower sheet of perspex and a hinged door above it with perspex in a wood frame. I balk at the idea of making such a thing as don't have the time.
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Old 04-22-2022, 09:28 AM   #42
Lilafernim
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Join Date: Sep 2021
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

Yes it’s been so stressful! It was sort of sprung on us and it keeps being we’re moving, we’re not moving, no we are again. I’ve got half the flat packed up and the other half unpacked again because we had to change plans XD

I did look up the exo terra and I do love the doors on it but as you say the actual amount of bedding you can put in isn’t a world of difference from a cage. And as you say (also being short) it’s hard to reach over a glass enclosure to get them out. I’d have to find one that was absolutely perfect length, height, no silly other materials on it.

I have looked it up a bit more though whilst talking on here about it and I think I’ve come up with an idea.

It’s still not pretty but I saw someone put (I think they’re called) grass mats around half a savic plaza. Obviously it still blocks the view but it looks more natural than cardboard and not an expensive choice.

It does mean only one half would be deep and I could cardboard a bit of the other side but I’m thinking if I had the wheel that side anyway I wouldn’t want the bedding to high there anyway. So it would mean half visibility but a natural look, deeper bedding, large doors, great ventilation so it sort of solves it really.

I’m still going to see like you say if maybe I could get something clear fitted around some of it as I’d like to be able to see in really. But it’s not a bad idea really.
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Old 04-22-2022, 11:39 AM   #43
arnoldshirl
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

Seeing and hearing how paper mache is basically made from Flour and Water, I decided to alter the recipe a bit. Instead of using All-Purpose Flour (knowing it is harmless as well to our furnimal friends) I switched out to Oat Flour because it is the flour I use to make treats.
Oat Flour isn't expensive if it's homemade, and rather simple to make too. Simply purchase an off brand of Quaker Rolled Oats or the original Quaker Rolled Oats and pour the contents into a blender. Grind to a powder and Presto...you have Oat Flour!
I am in the process of making a hide out for my furminal friend using this recipe of paper mache. I know it won't be permanent because she is a notorious house nibbler (for that phrase 'nibble nibble like a mouse, who is nibbling on the house?' That would be her).
I like all the creative ideas everyone has made here. Just wanted to share a method idea I use to create safe and fun changes/additions to my Roborovski Dwarf Hamster's life.
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Old 04-22-2022, 11:47 AM   #44
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

That sounds an excellent idea Arnoldshirl and Oat is healthier too. I didn't realise you could make papier mache from flour and water - I remember making glue from flour and water! (The gluten). And soggy paper for papier mache. Someone on youtube made some great papier mache hides by wrapping paper round an oval shaped thing until it went hard then removed the oval thing from the middle.

Lila - that might have been Luna's set up you saw with it deep at one end - have a look at her Savic Plaza videos.

I did use hemp mat at one end and up the sides once but that was mainly to make it darker and cosier for a shy hamster rather than be too exposed.
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Old 04-22-2022, 11:48 AM   #45
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

So I am not clever and creative like many of the wonderful creations. But I have made something today Very basic. Another egg box hammock.

Attachment 53147

Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-26-2022 at 04:19 PM.
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Old 04-22-2022, 11:53 AM   #46
Ria P
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

I've tried those but mine always end up loopsided and the hamster falls out.
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Old 04-22-2022, 11:58 AM   #47
arnoldshirl
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

Love that concept of a hammock Serendipity. Here I am tearing the egg cartons up for making pulp clay and I could have simply hang the lid in the cage so she can chill out the day...thanks for the idea!
I always made paper mache from flour and water, never really thought of it as a adhesive glue. It could be glue, after all it does provide a strong bonding effect. Imagine that, I learned I made glue; watch out Elmer's Glue Company I won't be needing to buy bulk of your product anymore. LOL
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Old 04-22-2022, 01:15 PM   #48
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

He he. I must be old if I can remember making flour and water glue. I don't think oat flour would do that as well as less gluten.

Ria I know what you mean - they are a bit fiddly. I fiddle about getting the sisal string even and balanced and the longer 10 box egg cartons seem to work better. Pip's is very secure because it has thick sisal rope. I ran out of that so used sisal string. One in each four corner. Hopefully it won't tip him out! It's a double thing really as also to give some overhead cover in case he's feeling shy or a bit exposed from above. He can't fall far or land on anything hard if it did tip over.

Credit for the idea goes to Vectis though.
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Old 04-22-2022, 01:25 PM   #49
arnoldshirl
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

I am seeing some lasting results with using Oat Flour. When the hide out I am working on is completed I will post a picture of it. I always allow drying time between each layer, 24 hours to even 48 hours (depending on how distractions busy me mind to remember).
Maybe I should experiment with Buckwheat Flour too or even Chia Flour...hmmm, the Possibilities are Endless. I'll have to 'nibble' some more on that thought.
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Old 04-22-2022, 05:02 PM   #50
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Show us what you've made!

I love that idea - an edible, nutritious hide Photos please! When it's dried out. Do you bake them? (I'm thinking oat biscuits!).
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