Problems with toppers?

[kim]

Hi I was wondering if everyone with toppers has the same problems as I do. Basically my gerbils make a big mess around the area where there tank is as they kick, nose and push everything out through the gaps in the bars. Like they go to the toilet on the shelves and push them out and they bring up there bedding put it on the shelves and push it out and they also kick out the sand from the dish They use as a toilet out along with there poos, and they also kick out the bedding from there tank through the topper when there digging. This makes a big mess in my rented flat (which as its rented we're meant to keep clean and tidy) 

The main reason I'd like to know if this is something everyone has a problem with is that I'm thinking of getting that pair a perfecto tank with shelfs for them instead to solve this problem, but I also have my other pair and they don't have a proper topper so theres a possibility I could try them with it but is it just going to be the same with them?

Also what are your views on perfecto tanks?


Thanks

[Nightingale]

Yep, I have this issue and it's a pain. D:

I don't like the perfecto, personally, because the shelves are diagonal and also a bit low down. If it just had one or two shelves up top it would maybe be better, but the design space as is isn't my favourite. That's just my opinion, though! If the shelves are just right for you then I don't see an issue with them.

[kim]

Hi, thanks.
Yeah I agree that the bottom shelf is a bit low on the perfecto that was one of my negative thoughts as at the moment I fill there tank up quite alot, but weighing that up again positives I still think it might be better for the situation I'm currently in.

[jacqueline]

I have a topper over a ten gallon tank with one gerbil. i love it. i fill the bottom with aspen, hay, cardboard, etc. the top level i keep for food, water, and sand bath. i have no problems with it. the top stays clean. occasionally there's some bedding kicked out, but it's minimal.

[Nightingale]

Haha, wow that sounds nice, jacqueline! Mocha kicks her bedding everywhere.

Can I ask you both, how high are your tanks? I am wondering if higher tanks with toppers is better or whether the mess issue can still arise...

kim, I do agree that weighing up the positives is important. At least the bottom shelf doesn't take up more space than it does, they should still have plenty of room below.

[qtoffer]

I hot glued 4 inch wide strips of thin plywood to all four sides of the tank. The strips stick out at a 45 degree angle and catch most of whatever gerbils launch off the topper shelves. Between cage cleanings, I use my vacuum's crevice attachment to remove up the poops, sunflower seed husks, and bedding that accumulates between the base of the cage topper and the angled plywood strips attached to the tank. Without those strips, all that crap would be on my floor and desk!!