Using vivarium vents to block hole+is this safe for gerbils?

[scoobyloubydoo]

Hiya tried searching the site and Google for answers but couldn't find any. So I have a few, the quick one first. Is garden hanging basket liners, and hessian fabric safe for gerbils to line wire mesh. The liners are listed on homebase website as natural so I'm guessing so but want to check.

www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10011&productId=182853&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=110&langId=110&storeId=10201




I now have an old hamster cage to make a topper, but it has holes that we're premade for where tubes went it. If it helps, it was an old p@h one with removable top and collapsiable frame. Bit like this:

sell.lulusoso.com/selling-leads/423562/Pet-mouse-cage-hamster-accessories.html

So I was searching eBay looking for some vivarium mesh to cover it and came across these vents:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vivarium-Vents-Air-Vents-Metal-Vents-Reptile-Vivarium-Vents-/181009137950?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&var=&hash=item2a24fc411e

There made of all metal and they do a 60mm/2.3" one that it think would fit. Does anyone have any experience with vivarium vents? Or with covering these sorts of holes. Want to try make it look as smart as poss. 

Louise :-) 

[mothman]

I don't see why it wouldn't be safe, so long as it does close securely.

[scoobyloubydoo]

Yeah that's the thing, not sure whether they would go on securely or not. Was hoping someone on the boards might have reptiles and be familiar with the vents. Worried of buying and not fitting then having something we have no use for.

[mothman]

Oh, I see. If the caps just friction-fit, I don't know that I'd feel comfortable that they were secure.

There's may be some way they could be modified to be secure though... perhaps drilling holes through the metal caps to allow them to be attached to the cage somehow.

[eleda]

If the vents are a close enough fit you could also glue them in (if im imagining everything correctly) I attached a shelf to my tank wall with Aquarium glue. Its very sturdy and has never caused a problem. And if you're careful with it, it should be too obvious that its there which would add to the smart-ness factor. Regarding the liners - my only concern is if it has long fibers in it. "Natural" doesnt necessarily mean "digestible" but I've never seen one of those in person and don't know what they're made of or how they're put together.

[scoobyloubydoo]

I've decided to just use chicken wire to get the fluff balls in their new cage quick, think they were starting to get to cramped and bored. They're actually in there now need to get some pics up.. Thank for all the help :-)