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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 24, 2014 14:27:52 GMT -8
I have a 20 long aquarium and I would really like to get a topper once I get gerbils and they are tame so I can fill the tank with more bedding. But its really hard to find them other than on Martins Cages ...
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Post by mothman on Nov 24, 2014 14:53:56 GMT -8
As an alternative to buying a topper (if you simply can't find one), I bought a second hand hamster cage, took it apart to salvage the wire walls, cleaned everything up, cut the walls down to the size I wanted, filed down sharp bits from my cuts, and then put the sections back together with steel wire. I had to build a roof for the topper, as the hamster cage had a plastic lid, and I just made it out of 1/2 inch hardware mesh, and I connected it such that I can, if i want, flip that lid up off the topper. (the cage also had an access door, and I incorporated that part as the front wall, so I normally access the topper through that door.)
I had left-over pieces of the cage, and cut those down to make two shelves, which I attached in the topper, again, with steel wire.
I then attached that homemade topper to the tank lid (made from hardware mesh) with, once more, steel wire, and cut a hole in the tank lid for access into the topper. To make the topper floor and shelves easier on the feet, I line them with scrap cardboard.
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lizb
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Post by lizb on Nov 24, 2014 14:56:16 GMT -8
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Post by mothman on Nov 25, 2014 8:15:36 GMT -8
I'm confident that anyone with a little bit of DIY ability could make their own topper very similar to what is shown in that Etsy shop (no disrespect intended to the Etsy seller, those are great toppers).
The ones pictured there look very much like what I made from the torn down hamster cage, the visible differences being they used cage clips to join the pieces and they've lined the edges with plastic strips.
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 25, 2014 16:37:18 GMT -8
Does anyone have any thoughts on why they only commercially make them for 10 gallons? I wish a 10 gal ( with topper) was big enough for a pair that would make life easier.
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Post by qtoffer on Nov 28, 2014 19:31:04 GMT -8
A wood framed, wire mesh topper really isn't that hard to make. The cuts are all straight and the joints are simple. Basically, you're making a box and wrapping it with metal mesh. The lid is just a wooden frame covered with mesh and attached to the topper with two hinges. Tools needed: small handsaw, hammer, 1.5 inch nails, (electric drill and screwdriver if using wood screws instead of nails), wire cutter, pliers, staple gun. Materials needed: 3/4 x 3/4 square wood molding, 1/2 inch square wire mesh (sometimes called hardware cloth), 1/4 inch staples, 1/4 inch thick hardwood or plywood for shelves, two small hinges, (polyurethane and brush to seal shelves - optional)  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper |
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Post by elliriyanna on Nov 29, 2014 7:05:51 GMT -8
I would have no problem building but we have no tools at all here.
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Post by hilde on Jan 10, 2015 15:32:36 GMT -8
A wood framed, wire mesh topper really isn't that hard to make. The cuts are all straight and the joints are simple. Basically, you're making a box and wrapping it with metal mesh. The lid is just a wooden frame covered with mesh and attached to the topper with two hinges. Materials needed: 3/4 x 3/4 square wood molding, 1/2 inch square wire mesh (sometimes called hardware cloth), 1/4 inch staples, 1/4 inch thick hardwood or plywood for shelves, two small hinges, (polyurethane and brush to seal shelves - optional) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper How much hardware cloth did you use? What was the total cost of the topper? Do the Gerbils chew on the wood? |
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Post by qtoffer on Jan 11, 2015 19:01:09 GMT -8
How much hardware cloth did you use? What was the total cost of the topper? Do the Gerbils chew on the wood? My topper measures 30 inches long x 12 inches wide x 12 inches high with a 30 x 12 inch hinged lid. I used one roll of hardware cloth (1/2 x 1/2 inch 3 ft x 5 ft) Home Depot # 308222HD -------------------------$ 12.97 (If you're just building the topper and lid, you will have about 1/3 of the roll left over. I also built removable double layer split cage barriers for the tank and topper, which used up the remaining material. I also had enough scraps left to make ramps and chew guards). About 30 feet of 3/4 x 3/4 pine molding @ about $1.19 per foot-----------------------------------------about $ 36.00 (If I ever build another, I will just buy a wide 4 foot long board (about $8) and cut my own molding on a table saw for a fraction of the cost) I had hinges, screws, and staples on hand, but I figure they would cost---------------------------------about $ 10.00 Total cost if I had to buy all materials would be about $60, but I built a convertable split cage, so I needed extra hardware cloth and wood framing. Without the split, I imagine the cost would have been about $10 less. Yes, they do chew on the wood framing, but only at select spots! I made some chew guards with hardware cloth scraps and stapled them in place where needed. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper |
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Post by hilde on Jan 12, 2015 6:27:09 GMT -8
I don't understand what you mean by it being convertible split cage. Please explain.
Hmm now I am wondering if it would be cheaper to put hardware cloth around a hamster cage for $25.
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jeb
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Post by jeb on Feb 2, 2015 21:21:58 GMT -8
I got my 20 gal long tank topper from qualitycage.com. They've got stuff for all different sizes, and if you have a size not listed I'm sure the owner could make whatever you need as she personally handles every order before she makes them.
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Post by hilde on Feb 3, 2015 13:22:11 GMT -8
I bought a second hand hamster cage, took it apart to salvage the wire walls, cleaned everything up, cut the walls down to the size I wanted, filed down sharp bits from my cuts, and then put the sections back together with steel wire. I had to build a roof for the topper, as the hamster cage had a plastic lid, and I just made it out of 1/2 inch hardware mesh, and I connected it such that I can, if i want, flip that lid up off the topper. (the cage also had an access door, and I incorporated that part as the front wall, so I normally access the topper through that door.) Got a thread on it? I would like to see a pic of it? |
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Post by elliriyanna on Feb 3, 2015 13:42:40 GMT -8
I actually considered them but I did find a place that was cheaper, I will share more when it gets here.
They were my first choice but were a bit expensive
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Post by mothman on Feb 25, 2015 15:17:37 GMT -8
I bought a second hand hamster cage, took it apart to salvage the wire walls, cleaned everything up, cut the walls down to the size I wanted, filed down sharp bits from my cuts, and then put the sections back together with steel wire. I had to build a roof for the topper, as the hamster cage had a plastic lid, and I just made it out of 1/2 inch hardware mesh, and I connected it such that I can, if i want, flip that lid up off the topper. (the cage also had an access door, and I incorporated that part as the front wall, so I normally access the topper through that door.) Got a thread on it? I would like to see a pic of it? Sorry for the delayed response. There is a picture here. Not the best pic, but hopefully gives you the idea. The black bungee cords are there to help secure the topper down, because I'm paranoid, lol. I have taken the one off the front though, and just have one on each end.  |
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Post by hilde on Feb 25, 2015 17:00:56 GMT -8
Thanks!! I shall keep an eye out for some cheap cages.
Right now I have 2 in a 20g long. I feel they need more room. I got a cage off craigslist that is for hamsters. It was only $25 so thought I could make something of it. This weather is making me fatigue though I rather have something easier to deal with.
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