Cages with tubes?

[paperdoves]

My gerbils are in aquariums- one pair in a 20 gallon, one pair in a 55 gallon long. I'm working on getting another 55 gallon tank for the first pair. 

But I've been wondering about those plastic cages that are designed to be connected by tubes, with varying heights and sizes of 'rooms'- why are they always recommended against? It seems like tunneling animals like hamsters and gerbils might like this sort of cage setup, but everything that I read says otherwise. Why is this? I realize that they are comparatively expensive, is this the reason? Or do the animals really not like them as much as a plain aquarium? 

[Jazzable]

Artificial tunnels are simply not as good for a burrowing animal as having the space to make tunnels of their own. Gerbils especially need to actually do the digging in order to be happy - it's not just about living somewhere that's already made of tunnels.

There are also practical problems with that type of cage. The plastic is very easily chewed by gerbils which can lead to escapes (and also risk of them eating the plastic). Plus they are harder to clean and they don't have space for as much substrate/bedding so would need cleaning more often as well.

[paperdoves]

Okay, that all makes sense, thank you for your reply.

[sycohearted]

I personally use them if they don't chew on them. When chewing starts, they get cardboard tubes forever in stead haha.