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Tips for Picking an Aquarium Cage for Your Hamster
Posted by GuestPoster in Pets Galore
Usually one of the least expensive choices for a hamster cage is an aquarium. You don’t need to buy the pumps and lamps that come with a kit. All you need is the basic glass or plastic aquarium. Here are a few other tips when considering a fish tank as a home for your hamster.
Plan for air circulation. Aquariums only open at the top. And since hamsters do a lot of running, you need good air circulation for your hamster. Also, hamster urine produces fumes. If the fumes don’t circulate, they can harm your hamster. So if you use an aquarium for a hamster home, you need to keep a top on it that will let air in and out. A mesh top is usually recommended. The space between the mesh will let air in while being small enough to keep your hamster from escaping.
Also, you don’t want the air inside the fish tank getting too hot. Since the glass sides of the tank can keep heat in, don’t put your aquarium where the sun can shine directly on it. The tank can then trap the hot air inside.
Get an aquarium that’s big enough. Hamsters need room to run and exercise. Fishbowls or small aquariums won’t give your hamster enough space to get his needed exercise. Plan on getting at least a 10 gallon aquarium for your hamster. A 20 gallon aquarium would be even better. Remember, your tank has to be big enough for the hamster as well as a food area, a sleeping area, and a bathroom area. Then you might want to add a freestanding exercise wheel or some hamster tubes. Since you’re going to need a lot of room for your hamster and his or her toys, make sure you get a fish tank that’s large enough.
Get an aquarium you can handle. Aquariums made of glass can be heavy – maybe even 10 or 20 pounds. They will weigh more with bedding and toys in them. So before you buy, go into a pet store and be sure you can lift up an empty aquarium. You’ll have to lift the glass cage every time you want to clean it or move it to a different part of your home. If the aquarium is a little too heavy for you, make sure you have help whenever you want to move it. If a glass cage drops, it can break into pieces all over your floor.
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