Post by Nippit on Mar 29, 2013 9:50:06 GMT -8
Hey guys & girls! 
So, One of our Gerbils, Nipper, is slowly outgrowing her current living space. She has a long story, but basically put; Shes been living alone since her sister passed away not long after we got them home. We've tried to introduce her to new friends, but she hasn't taken to them or vice versa. So she is still living in the Pets at Home Gerbilarium (www.petsathome.com/shop/gerbilarium-by-pets-at-home-15962) we bought when we got them both about a year ago.
She likes her digging space & her topper, & we had some very specific requirements for a new tank. We couldn't find any second hand aquariums that fitted the bill, or any new ones either - so we decided to build one ourselves.
I've built a (semi)permanent split tank out of a wooden frame & perspex a few months ago, for a separate group of Gerbils. So the plan, idea, design, whatever you want to call it, is an evolution from there. As it has stood up to the test of time (& Gerbils!
).
Now as with any good project, there must be planning before buying the materials & then building the thing. So I've spent a number of evenings, using some 3D design software to produce a 3D model of the Gerbilarium, including every part on the build list.
Below is the description I worked to. Including some screen grabs of the tank & topper, as well as a one of the complete setup. The separate 'halves' of the Gerbilarium have been rendered in the software to look realistic, but when I tried to do the whole unit, the software threw back horrible shadowing. I have also removed the nearest sides of Perspex & wire mesh, as with them in place it becomes impossible to see the internal detail. Also, please excuse the size of the images, it just helps to see them clearly when their larger.
Design specifics
Tank
The tank is designed to have dimensions of 18"x18"x18". By my calculations thats around 21 Gallons (UK), so it both suits two Gerbils & fits on the table. Although the thickness of the external frame will be very tight on the 20"x20" restriction. The perspex covers all parts of the wooden frame & has no area accessible by little teeth. The frame is wood cut to shape & screwed into place on the outside of the perspex, the screws are countersunk to avoid causing harm to inhabitants. Internally the tank is very deep, so without using lots of bedding any Gerbils inside wont be able to reach the topper without the aid of a long, & possibly steep, ladder. Because of this, I have designed two shelves that fit inside, their final location is not yet certain, as they will be checked & completed in construction. These shelves also cut down on wasted Perspex. The selves are also attached in the same method of construction, screwed from the outside into a wooden frame that is out of nibbling reach. The shelves have a length of Aluminium Angle along the outside edge, to avoid slipping & falling accidentally, as well as keeping a layer of bedding to make it comfortable to walk around on & it also serves as a guard against chewing the shelf. These wooden frames are easily replaceable should they ever get chewed, or it is possible to place a length of Aluminium Angle along the most exposed areas. Each shelf measures 6" wide & runs the full width of the tank.
This is the rendered image of the tank section. You can clearly see the selves & their support framework, including the Aluminium Angle.
Topper
The topper follows a similar design as the tank however there are some changes - where the perspex is strong enough to support the frame, the wire mesh is not. So the topper has to be over engineered, to allow for it to support itself. The frame is wooden and held together with a number of corner plates, manufactured from plywood. The corner plates are screwed into place with four countersunk screws. Internally is where the topper gets interesting & tricky to build. The wire mesh is cut to fit three of the sides, it is then held in place by Aluminium Bar along the tops & bottoms, while the corners are secured by Aluminium Angle. The use of aluminium aids in securing the wire, protecting the wood from being chewed & stops any sharp or jagged points from the wire harming the Gerbils. The fourth side has a full size door that is hinged at the bottom. This is manufactured in the same way as the rest of the topper, it has plywood corner plates keeping it together & Aluminium bar protecting the internal edges. It will be latched at the top with a simple gravity lock (not included on 3D representation). The topper fits into the tank by a 'rail' of Aluminium Angle on the bottom edge, this will keep it from moving laterally while its own weight will stop it being lifted. (If the topper proves to be lighter than planned I might make a simple pin system to keep it locked down.) There is a shelf along the front edge made from wire mesh, which allows a comfortable platform to walk on, allows urine & poop to fall into the tank space (reducing the need to wipe clean as often) & uses wasted material. It is fixed in place by being sandwiched between the wood of the frame & the Aluminium Angle 'rail'. This shelf is also going to be capped to protect from causing harm, however this cap is not included on the 3D image as I'm unsure whether it will be Aluminium or sacrificial wood. The topper measures 17" 17"x11", which works out to have an internal volume of around 11 gallons (UK), The topper shelf is 7" wide. All wire mesh is a fine gauge of 5mm. The topper also has a removable lid. This is constructed with larger corner plates that over hang enough to sit comfortably inside the frame.
This is the rendered image of the topper. The wire mesh is represented by the textured grey. The Aluminium Angle is shown in a 'fuzzy' grey colour while the Aluminium Bar is a solid dark grey.
Here now is the full Gerbilarium;
You'll have to excuse the colours as I've had to get them 'as near as'.
So far this is all the progress we have, however tomorrow we are going to purchase the required lengths of Aluminium & the wire mesh. Some of the aspects of the design may be changed during the build, as it may be more practical or may result in a better habitat & final product. We will photograph & document the build as it progresses, updating on here all the way of course.
I think I covered all the details of the build, but if anyone has any questions/suggestions, please do come forward! Neither Kate or I bite - Unlike Nipper
So, One of our Gerbils, Nipper, is slowly outgrowing her current living space. She has a long story, but basically put; Shes been living alone since her sister passed away not long after we got them home. We've tried to introduce her to new friends, but she hasn't taken to them or vice versa. So she is still living in the Pets at Home Gerbilarium (www.petsathome.com/shop/gerbilarium-by-pets-at-home-15962) we bought when we got them both about a year ago.
She likes her digging space & her topper, & we had some very specific requirements for a new tank. We couldn't find any second hand aquariums that fitted the bill, or any new ones either - so we decided to build one ourselves.
I've built a (semi)permanent split tank out of a wooden frame & perspex a few months ago, for a separate group of Gerbils. So the plan, idea, design, whatever you want to call it, is an evolution from there. As it has stood up to the test of time (& Gerbils!
). Now as with any good project, there must be planning before buying the materials & then building the thing. So I've spent a number of evenings, using some 3D design software to produce a 3D model of the Gerbilarium, including every part on the build list.
Below is the description I worked to. Including some screen grabs of the tank & topper, as well as a one of the complete setup. The separate 'halves' of the Gerbilarium have been rendered in the software to look realistic, but when I tried to do the whole unit, the software threw back horrible shadowing. I have also removed the nearest sides of Perspex & wire mesh, as with them in place it becomes impossible to see the internal detail. Also, please excuse the size of the images, it just helps to see them clearly when their larger.
Design specifics
- Must be large enough for two Gerbils, should Nipper ever take to a friend, or if the tank is used to house anybody else.
- Must fit on a 20"x20" table without overhang.
- Must have topper with good access into the internal space.
- Must be 'Gerbil-Proof', while still being aesthetically pleasing.
- Must be economical, as little wasted material as possible.
- Gerbils must be safe inside. They should not be able to harm themselves on anything inside the Gerbilarium.
Tank
The tank is designed to have dimensions of 18"x18"x18". By my calculations thats around 21 Gallons (UK), so it both suits two Gerbils & fits on the table. Although the thickness of the external frame will be very tight on the 20"x20" restriction. The perspex covers all parts of the wooden frame & has no area accessible by little teeth. The frame is wood cut to shape & screwed into place on the outside of the perspex, the screws are countersunk to avoid causing harm to inhabitants. Internally the tank is very deep, so without using lots of bedding any Gerbils inside wont be able to reach the topper without the aid of a long, & possibly steep, ladder. Because of this, I have designed two shelves that fit inside, their final location is not yet certain, as they will be checked & completed in construction. These shelves also cut down on wasted Perspex. The selves are also attached in the same method of construction, screwed from the outside into a wooden frame that is out of nibbling reach. The shelves have a length of Aluminium Angle along the outside edge, to avoid slipping & falling accidentally, as well as keeping a layer of bedding to make it comfortable to walk around on & it also serves as a guard against chewing the shelf. These wooden frames are easily replaceable should they ever get chewed, or it is possible to place a length of Aluminium Angle along the most exposed areas. Each shelf measures 6" wide & runs the full width of the tank.
This is the rendered image of the tank section. You can clearly see the selves & their support framework, including the Aluminium Angle.
Topper
The topper follows a similar design as the tank however there are some changes - where the perspex is strong enough to support the frame, the wire mesh is not. So the topper has to be over engineered, to allow for it to support itself. The frame is wooden and held together with a number of corner plates, manufactured from plywood. The corner plates are screwed into place with four countersunk screws. Internally is where the topper gets interesting & tricky to build. The wire mesh is cut to fit three of the sides, it is then held in place by Aluminium Bar along the tops & bottoms, while the corners are secured by Aluminium Angle. The use of aluminium aids in securing the wire, protecting the wood from being chewed & stops any sharp or jagged points from the wire harming the Gerbils. The fourth side has a full size door that is hinged at the bottom. This is manufactured in the same way as the rest of the topper, it has plywood corner plates keeping it together & Aluminium bar protecting the internal edges. It will be latched at the top with a simple gravity lock (not included on 3D representation). The topper fits into the tank by a 'rail' of Aluminium Angle on the bottom edge, this will keep it from moving laterally while its own weight will stop it being lifted. (If the topper proves to be lighter than planned I might make a simple pin system to keep it locked down.) There is a shelf along the front edge made from wire mesh, which allows a comfortable platform to walk on, allows urine & poop to fall into the tank space (reducing the need to wipe clean as often) & uses wasted material. It is fixed in place by being sandwiched between the wood of the frame & the Aluminium Angle 'rail'. This shelf is also going to be capped to protect from causing harm, however this cap is not included on the 3D image as I'm unsure whether it will be Aluminium or sacrificial wood. The topper measures 17" 17"x11", which works out to have an internal volume of around 11 gallons (UK), The topper shelf is 7" wide. All wire mesh is a fine gauge of 5mm. The topper also has a removable lid. This is constructed with larger corner plates that over hang enough to sit comfortably inside the frame.
This is the rendered image of the topper. The wire mesh is represented by the textured grey. The Aluminium Angle is shown in a 'fuzzy' grey colour while the Aluminium Bar is a solid dark grey.
Here now is the full Gerbilarium;
You'll have to excuse the colours as I've had to get them 'as near as'.
- Wooden frame - Brown
- Plywood corner plates - Redish Brown
- Perspex - Green (It will be clear, but comes wrapped in a green protective film - It made sense to me )
- Aluminium Angle - Dark Grey
- Aluminium Bar - Medium Grey
- Wire Mesh - Pale Grey/White
So far this is all the progress we have, however tomorrow we are going to purchase the required lengths of Aluminium & the wire mesh. Some of the aspects of the design may be changed during the build, as it may be more practical or may result in a better habitat & final product. We will photograph & document the build as it progresses, updating on here all the way of course.
I think I covered all the details of the build, but if anyone has any questions/suggestions, please do come forward! Neither Kate or I bite - Unlike Nipper
