Tank size question

[Nightingale]

So I've read the thread here about tank sizes, how 10 gallons per gerbil is best and so on, but I know a lot of people here give their gerbils extra space. I am wondering just how big the risk of declanning is when you give them more than 10 gallons each? Do you have a maximum-sized tank you would give a clan of 2 or 3? Do you do certain things to prevent declanning, e.g. giving a trio two water bottles so they'll squabble less or anything like that? 

I realise this is probably going to be a thing individual to different gerbils but are there any general rules you go by?

[crittercrazy]

If you give more then 10 g per gerbils, I really don't think it'll cause problems. Gerbils have been known to declan due to not enough space, but I doubt they would because of too much.
As for other preventive measures. . .
Back when I had a trio of females I gave them two food dishes, since I've seen gerbils squabble over that. And if you have two water bottles, there's no reason not to put them both in.

[Nightingale]

Thank you for answering my question, crittercrazy!

This thread arose because I was reading through the tank size page here, which suggested bigger tanks are just a bad idea and can lead to declanning. I have my eye on a 51-ish U.S. gallon tank with topper, which I think my lone girl would adore, but I was curious as to its long-term suitability for a pair or (male) trio, especially because it is rather expensive.

Your response has eased my mind somewhat. The food bowl suggestion seems like it could be useful as well.

[MoonstoneGerbils]

I have very unpopular opinions on housing and declanning. I won't get into it publicly, since most people would be horrified. If you want to know, PM me.

I recommend 5-10 gallons per gerbil. Many europeans will recommend a minimum of 10 gallons per gerbil, which is fine, however what you need and what you can give them are two different things. Minimally a pair needs a 10 gallon. A 20 gallon would be better, but so would a 30, or 40, or 50, and so on.

There is an upper limit to caging in terms of size (simply put at some point it becomes impossible to keep a larger aquarium because they don't make the sizes in an affordable way.) My 125 gallon tank for my bearded dragon cost me well over $400.

However, how the cage is set up, will make a difference. You don't want any physical barriers or divisions. A connected series of cages is asking for trouble. I cage with multiple compartments or areas could cause problems. The more areas a gerbil has access to the more likely a declanning is. If its easy for a gerbil to mark a territory and define it, the more likely a declanning is.

[qtoffer]

I used to keep my gerbil pairs in 10 gallon tanks fitted with 10 gallon toppers. The only declan I ever experienced happened when I tried housing a trio of females in one of these setups. About two years ago, I upgraded to 20 gallon long tanks fitted with 20 gallon toppers, reasoning that it would 1) give the gerbils a twice the digging space, and 2) be easier to split if the need ever arose in the future. Once you get above 20 gallons, glass tanks become really heavy and difficult to move. While it may be wonderful to give a pair of gerbils 55 gallons of space, one needs to consider how convenient it will be to clean the bottom of such a tank - especially if it's on a stand or dresser.

Keep in mind too, that fights and declans are not always caused by too much or too little space. Although they are rare, fights can break out over an strange smell, a new toy, or a piece of food. One of my current pairs happily living in a 20 gallon setup started squabbling bitterly soon after I introduced a new toy. It was a stupid little cardboard box with flaps at one end that acted as mini swinging doors. One gerbil found this box so delightful that she excluded her sister from it - this led to squeaking, chasing, and some tail biting. As soon as I removed the little box, peace and harmony were restored.

BTW, I always have two water bottles on each of my tanks - in case one leaks or stops dispensing.

[catnut]

would a 10 gallon be less stressful for a lone gerbil who is a rescue? I have my foster gerbil Adam in a large barred cage but it looks like I will have to give that back soon as they didn't tell me I was just borrowing the cage. I want to give him room and an aquarium is better but was just thinking if a small aquarium may make him easier to tame?

I have a 33 gallon but am working on a cover for it as I don't have one that fits right now.

Tammy