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Post by zazi on Mar 18, 2008 21:43:10 GMT -8
wow.... as the original poster of this thread, i feel compelled to reply....
First of all.... i was just trying to create a nice stimulating environment for Gerry... i don't mind if there are no plants in the tank so i shall be removing the plant after i finish this post...
Second of all... i think i will use the hay option IN the substrate and also around the tank just to make things interesting for her.... so far we have a pretty interesting environment with tunnels and levels etc. and a large hollowed out coconut shell which she is very fond of.
QUESTIONS:
1- is it okay to use cardboard that has printing on it? like orange juice cartons etc? 2- is plastic piping okay? she seems to be chewing on it... 3- i'm trying to get a substrate that she can burrow into... how do i get the woodshavings and hay to blend so that this can happen? 4- are plastic drinking bottles okay?
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 18, 2008 22:50:35 GMT -8
First, thanks for taking your thread over again- I feel that a member or two... or three owe you an apology. As for your questions- 1) nothing with a "film" on it. If it holds a liquid- forget it. You can use things that are "printed" on like a cereal box, but not a juice box 2) I'd scrap the plastic for the play pen only. Check out our Frugal toys in the DIY section of our FAQ. I get thick cardboard rolls for free that last quite a while 3) She will blend the hay and shavings herself- that's half the fun! 4) Plastic drinking bottles are alright- I assume you're talking about the rodent kind, and not the human kind... I use the "chew proof" plastic rounded ones by L&M.
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Post by zazi on Mar 19, 2008 0:46:00 GMT -8
okay well so far i have only used old fruit cardboard boxes and cereal boxes.... and some peat pots for support.... and also some inverted ceramic pots...
more questions:
1- is it okay to move things around every day?
will remove the piping....
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Post by ajherring on Mar 19, 2008 5:38:37 GMT -8
OMG Why the H-E- double hockey sticks are people still griping about the idea of having plants in a tank, when my post gets rid of all the issues of watering and everything else? Yeah, they spend their time under ground, but they also play above ground. Just because you own pets your home doesn't have to be unpleasing to the eye. You don't have to own "fish" or "reptiles" to have a very nice, authentic enviroment.
Why do zoo's spend MILLIONS of dollars getting their enclosers perfect, and MILLIONS more to keep updating them. Sorry folks, its not all just to look better for the guests. Its to make the animals happy and more comfortable too. Infact, the only reason why I am even on this forum is to learn more about diet and nutrition. What would be bad for the tank (such as soil and certain plants) but my decorating will be of my own and I personally don't care what people think of it. My gerbils will have just as much fun and live just as long and healthy and happy as the ones with a 20gal tank filled with hay & aspen and thats about it.
So tired of people saying "See this tank? Yeah thats right. Thats the ONLY way you can have a tank and have happy pets"
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Post by qwerty on Mar 19, 2008 5:52:03 GMT -8
So ajherring, what do you use for "soil".
I'm curious. As I don't do hay and aspen either.
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Post by Jill on Mar 19, 2008 6:09:09 GMT -8
Watch your language, Autumn.
I've edited your post, because it seems your vocabulary hasn't allowed you to articulate your emotions without cursing.
There are people as young as 13 on this forum. Like I said, Watch-Your-Language.
I have PM'd you about everything else.
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Post by ohmylokix on Mar 19, 2008 6:18:29 GMT -8
Ajherring. Seriously. Stop making every little post display of your ability to be a little child. It ain't cute, and it makes you seem like you're 5.
Gerbils would not encounter topsoil in the wild. They have a sandy environment, and live in burrows. Burrows aren't hard to replicate.. that is why we give them bedding to tunnel in.
It is hard for humans to replicate their environment.
Your house isn't supposed to be a zoo, but with the way you collect animals, it may very well be. We do what we can to make our gerbils happy, but you have no way of knowing how long yours will live and how happy they'll be with the crap you set up.
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Post by Jill on Mar 19, 2008 6:56:50 GMT -8
okay well so far i have only used old fruit cardboard boxes and cereal boxes.... and some peat pots for support.... and also some inverted ceramic pots... more questions: 1- is it okay to move things around every day? will remove the piping.... Sorry Zazi, this thread has turned into a big ball of jumbled distractions with no real purpose, besides the valid questions you've asked. I'm not familiar with the boxes fruit come in? If they're cardboard with no plastic, glue, film on them, it should be ok. Also, and sort of residue might be best to just toss. Here's a list of my favorite gerbil recyclable products (note, these things should be cleaned and inspected before handing them over to the gerbs!) Ceramic Coffee Mugs Beta (fish) bowls cereal boxes utlity toilet paper tubes (I'm a beach janitor in the summer!) The cardboard at the bottom of cases of bottled water Popcorn boxes Oatmeal boxes Hmmm... I'll add more when I think of 'em! And is it ok to move stuff around? Yes, I think so. It seems to make them more excited and keep them from getting too bored. We'd love to see pics of your new set up!! Jill
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 19, 2008 7:16:09 GMT -8
First, thanks for taking your thread over again- I feel that a member or two... or three owe you an apology. Zazi, I'm sorry that ONCE AGAIN somebody is having a fit over this, and being off topic. I thought we had answered your questions, and now YOUR thread is stearing away from YOUR questions again, and the topic is turning into an arguement. I'm locking your thread for a few hours to give people a chance to chill out. TO EVERYBODY ELSE: This is not a play ground! Grow up and get over yourself! Start a new thread. Better yet- I'll start a new thread.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 19, 2008 17:26:00 GMT -8
Are we ready to be mature now?
Zazi- here's your thread back.
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Post by Boz on Mar 19, 2008 18:00:41 GMT -8
I'd like to add to Jill's List! Tissue Boxes Boxes Noodles come in (after you've removed the plastic) Also, these work awesome! (I think Jill said something about something like this) This a carpet tube core, I cut them up into smaller pieces They are strong and not easily chewed apart! I got mine from a store where they also sold carpet, and I got three of those long ones (12 feet long) for free! They make WONDERFUL tunnels! See the long open spot on the bottom? It's one of those tubes after I cut a long hole all the way from one side to the other, so I could see them in there! There's also a smaller one in the tank topper in this picture. If you could get some of that, it's awesome stuff! Also, you know those pieces of cardboard type stuff you get sometimes when you buy something that comes in a box? Well I've used them, See on the right? (this is a back view to the tank) Those work great too! hehe Do I put too much bedding in?
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Post by angielouise on Mar 20, 2008 2:07:53 GMT -8
I use those cardboard things in the bottoms of printer toner cartridges too Boz - I see some in your last picture . They love those! I've got a carpet shop right outside work and you know what? I've never asked them for tubes!
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Post by zazi on Mar 20, 2008 18:11:56 GMT -8
Hey guys.... once again, i see the flower pot debate is burning... We bought Gerri a giant bag of american hay!! Since we mixed it in with the wood shavings we haven't heard ANY corner digging! I've also been using those little peat pots to create levels in the terrarium.... i think she is having a blast. She's very skittish about hands but i'm not really in a hurry to pick her up or anything. My cats are fascinated by her (don't worry the tank is completely cat proof) and i think she can sort of see them... Every now and then she will run up to where a cat is peering in and peer back. I'll post some pictures after the weekends "renovations"... And the pot plants are officially out of the tank. They are now next to the tank
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Post by buttersnrex on Mar 20, 2008 19:54:51 GMT -8
They have a lot of spiffy looking things are 100% safe for gerbils. At the pet store I found a "tiki hut" made from alfalfa and hay, there were also other little tropical looking houses that are safe for them. With all their cardboard tubes it's a rather cute look. My gerbils have no idea that they have a tropical themed tank but it's fun for me..so maybe if you don't find a plant that is 100% safe for them (because their well being is the most important thing) you can try some of those options if you want to make your tank look spiffy.
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Post by zazi on Mar 20, 2008 23:43:36 GMT -8
hey that's a cute idea! A tropical themed tank... right now we have a hay themed tank We're planning on refurbishing soon and building a "valley of the kings" themed tank with a sandy bit on the top and levels of diggable hay underneath.... i would never have thought that having a gerbil could be so much fun!
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