Process of my "Gerbilarium"

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 01:32 PM

I've started on my gerbilarium. Not the brand type of aquarium - just what I'm calling it because it's cute! I know a lot of people are going to feel this is too small length wise. It's the best I can afford right now and it's got such a great 18 inch height. The sides are 16 inches. The length is only 24 inches but I will be on the look out for a much bigger aquarium. For two I think this will suffice for a little while. I think the great deepness will be awesome for their burrowing.

This is how I started:

Still working:

Added some paper shavings for them to toss about to use as well:

This is where I have stopped for now:

I am waiting on some things I ordered online such as a nice water bottle with a metal guard. I am searching for quality hay to top it with. I had bought one of those grape vines for reptile tanks. They will probably chew through it before the end of the week but who knows. It looked great for climbing. I have some toys like a wooden bridge and a wooden chew toy with a walnut trapped in the middle - but I won't add those until I am about to put them in there.

And by "they" - future gerbil pair I've yet to get. I'm still setting up and learning all I can first! Hopefully by this weekend at the earliest.

Any pointers so far?

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 01:44 PM

I keep forgetting to resize my photos before I upload them to photobucket. It might take awhile for it to refresh to a smaller size so sorry in advance for huge pictures.

Also I plan to add a LOT more substrate in there. I stopped right now because I have more to add in the layers before I dump more in there. I plan to have 12 inches of burrowing material in there. I just wanted to find more neat types of wood and cardboard type things in there - instead of just boxes. Need more toilet tubes and stuff.

I plan to put treats inside the tubes for foraging fun so that is another reason I dont' want to dump more substrate in there yet.

sully · 11-01-2012, 01:48 PM

Lol, love the whole toilet roll!

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 01:53 PM

That is what I have been told by other members here AND keep seeing on gerbil sites!!!! It appears to be the most favorite toy of a gerbil haha!!! Well, other than cardboard anything of course. I am SO excited about getting a pair.

I got this tank for a good price on a local for sale group so it's great for now. It's one of those bowfront aquariums! I hope I get lucky and stumble on a used 40 gallon for a great price!

Stockannette · 11-01-2012, 01:59 PM

Flower wants to come to YOUR house.

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 02:40 PM

I wish I could keep gerbils in Bin cages because I could find a deep and long bin for them! Something super big and deep and awesome! But with my luck my gerbils would be the ones you hear about chewing their way out over night!

From a distance it looks like some sort of reptile natural habitat but when you get close up you see it's paper towel rolls and recycled to-go drink holders and cardboard boxes haha.

I love the carefresh natural in there. Looks like soil and rocks - tricks the eye!

Queen Of The High Teas · 11-01-2012, 03:42 PM

That looks a fab gerbilarium! Bet it won't stay that tidy and organised for more than about er, 10 minutes though

I think for 2 gerbils that size is perfectly fine, especially as they have so much to do. And yeah gerbils love toilet paper to rip apart off the roll, as do rats, which I found out by accident when they ripped up 2 months supply of bedding that they pulled through the bars somehow!

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 03:54 PM

Oh my goodness Wobbles - where there is a will there is a way with rodents! Bless them!

I am COUNTING on them destroying my set up haha. It is meant to destroy and bring me entertainment in watching it. LOL. I'll be putting more in and filling it up more with substrate. This is where I've paused. I need a clay pot for a hideaway and I am getting one of those corner litter pans like for ferrets - for sand.

And then I have extra wooden accessories that were for my hamsters but they don't need or want. I've just had them in a box waiting for a fuzzy love that will enjoy them.

I am so relieved to hear someone say it's a good size. I personally couldn't see why it wasn't a good enough size. But of course I know bigger is always better but for me it isn't practical. I've already filled up our living room with my rodent love. My husband is such an agreeable man thankfully. He is just glad something makes me so happy. They are my stress remover that is for sure!!!

Gerbils are going to be a delightful addition for myself and my son both.

strawberrysmom · 11-01-2012, 08:25 PM

Still working on it! By the way I am not putting a wheel in there. I know it's debated but I definitely see the sense in the anti-wheel argument. It's getting pretty packed in there now. Too much stuff? I am still getting a clay pot but I think I'll wait until they've done some damage in there before sticking it in. To see how the take to what they have. At this time I think they have plenty of hide-aways and some people say there is no need for a house when they have all that burrowing stuff inside. Others say it's nice for them to have at least once place to feel secure. I'll see how I feel once I get them.

It came with a glass lid. I kept the portion that is bow shaped like the tank. It's the lid that lifts up so very nice! I slid out the other piece of glass and slid in a portion of a playpen fence. That playpen was useless for all my hams so I'm glad I can put it to use. I was saving it for when I ever do another bin cage - but I still have plenty of the fence left.

Well, hay, water bottle, food, and the online stuff I ordered - the dangling kebob toy so I can put wood and stuff on it. THEN the Gerbils! And we're ready to go!

HammieandMerlin · 11-01-2012, 10:16 PM

this looks so awesome! I love seeing people with gerbils haha, my OH always says they look like mini gus' (our degu lol). They are going to be spoiled rotten