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Post by imjessiegeee on Jul 28, 2015 3:26:33 GMT -8
I changed the gerbs two weeks ago and don't know how often I should clean out their cages?
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Post by betty on Jul 28, 2015 3:42:17 GMT -8
It depends on how big the tanks is, what bedding you use and how many gerbils are in it and whether your water-bottle leaked or you feed fresh fruit and veg in big lumps - so no definite answer really.
2 weeks would be perfectly acceptable for most pairs in most cages using any wood or paper-based bedding. Some people leave for longer, others part clean at 2 weeks on a rotation.
If you have a spill or you can see your gerbils haven't eaten something that was time sensitive (rotting fruit) this could cause a part clean too...
Some of my larger tanks with just 2 in can go for 4+ weeks and still have large areas of shavings that are untouched; families of growing gerbils (3 weeks+) tend to get dirty much faster of course - especially if - like me - you move them into a smaller more accessible tank for handling etc.
If you use a more soil-based bedding - some people go even longer - but I found that their food started to grow and didn't think that was very good for them so went back to wood/paper based beddings.
I'm sure lots of other people will share their stories too to help you decide what you want to do.
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Post by blanknote on Jul 28, 2015 4:18:22 GMT -8
I have the extra large gerbilarium (for my 2 boys) that is available at Pets At Home, and I clean it roughly every 2 weeks. (If you don't live in the UK and don't know what it is, it is basically a tank with a topper.)
I have put cardboard on the platform on the topper, which the boys use as their toilet. This means that they probably don't make the actual bedding dirty as quickly, but I still like to clean it out twice a month to make sure that it is clean "enough". I think it's also good for the boys, as then they will have to make new tunnels and have new items to explore.
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Post by imjessiegeee on Jul 28, 2015 4:44:51 GMT -8
Yeah. I have one tank for two girls, 1 extra large gerbilarium as you say and 3 small single gerbilariums.
I did put broccoli in about two days ago so that's probably where the smell is occurring. Just wondering when I should change them.
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Post by crittercrazy on Jul 28, 2015 5:31:59 GMT -8
As said, depends a lot. My pairs that have around six inches of bedding throughout their tank only need the cage cleaned once every 3-4 weeks. However I have a pair and a trio that live in two connected 10 gallons, with one tank having only a couple inches of bedding. That cage I clean every 2 weeks. Or sometimes I just go by how bad my room smells.  |
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Post by betty on Jul 28, 2015 5:39:48 GMT -8
Perhaps - for now - you could stick with the 2 weeks (especially if there is a noticeable smell as gerbils aren't usually that smelly).
From now on if you try to only feed a raisin-sized piece of brocolli per gerbil - enough for them to eat in one sitting - that way there won't be much left-overs to cause a smell. Same for any other fruit or veg - just until you find out if it could be that causing the smell.
If they STILL smell in a fortnight after just having bedding in their tank, then perhaps stick with the 2 weeks cleaning for them - or then try another bedding type. Don't change too many things at a time though otherwise you will never know which one it was?
Other things that might affect smell are: Do they have a permanent dust bath? Are they in a particularly warm location?
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Post by imjessiegeee on Jul 28, 2015 6:14:55 GMT -8
No they don't have a permanent dust bath. I put a bowl in once a week. They do have a jar in permanently but that doesn't usually stink. They are on top of a chest of drawers next to a window so I wouldn't say it's particularly warm since where I live it always rains.
Thanks.
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Post by imjessiegeee on Jul 28, 2015 6:15:43 GMT -8
Also, I went to the shops and got some 'Polished River Stones' for them, would I be able to put it into their cages for their nails?
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Post by xxxamybxxx on Jul 31, 2015 12:58:17 GMT -8
I clean my guys out about every 4-6 weeks and tbh the tank never smells or anything then (3ft tank and topper), ive covered the shelves with laminate flooring which gets used as the poop shelf so i clean those off every few days. The polished stones wont do much to help their nails im affraid they have been sanded down so they are completely smooth. I got a few stones of the beach and gave them a good boil to kill any germs Amy |
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Post by imjessiegeee on Aug 2, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -8
I clean my guys out about every 4-6 weeks and tbh the tank never smells or anything then (3ft tank and topper), ive covered the shelves with laminate flooring which gets used as the poop shelf so i clean those off every few days. The polished stones wont do much to help their nails im affraid they have been sanded down so they are completely smooth. I got a few stones of the beach and gave them a good boil to kill any germs Amy Do they not chew on the laminate flooring? If not, how do you keep it on the shelves without sliding off? |
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Post by hobbitstealer on Aug 15, 2015 10:14:51 GMT -8
My 2 young gerbils are in a roughly 60cm square tank with very deep substrate, I've had them about 2 weeks now, and there isn't the faintest smell yet... but I'm wondering how long I could wait before cleaning out. They do have a nest box under all the bedding and I don't know what state that might be in, but I don't want to disturb their little habitat if it's not needed. I don't know if they are pooing in all the tunnels and holes etc. but they do have a permanent sand bath which they seem to use as a little toilet  I love how clean they are! Very different to my 7 rats. |
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Post by blanknote on Aug 16, 2015 14:36:41 GMT -8
My 2 young gerbils are in a roughly 60cm square tank with very deep substrate, I've had them about 2 weeks now, and there isn't the faintest smell yet... but I'm wondering how long I could wait before cleaning out. They do have a nest box under all the bedding and I don't know what state that might be in, but I don't want to disturb their little habitat if it's not needed. I don't know if they are pooing in all the tunnels and holes etc. but they do have a permanent sand bath which they seem to use as a little toilet I love how clean they are! Very different to my 7 rats. I clean mine roughly every 2 weeks (sometimes ends up being 3, but never more than that). As mine do use their covered topper area as their toilet, it doesn't actually ever smell (apart from the topper area, which I clean a couple times a week at least). I like to clean it every 2 weeks, as it makes sure that the cage is definitely as clean as possible, and then it gives them more stuff to do, as they have to build new tunnels, etc. The cage I have for them is 74-ish cm by 40cm-ish, and they get around 6 inches of bedding. So, I would personally recommend roughly every 2 weeks. |
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