a safe tank topper?

[cgreat]

I have a 20 gallon tank and I feel like my gerbils are feeling a little cramped and bored. I do have the toys (I do need a new wheel though, I know that plays a huge part in it. I just need a good one and not plastic. They chew the plastic like crazy.) but I think they might like a tank topper. But I'm also worried that they might hurt their feet. What can I put over the wire floor? And also does the paint come off of the wire if they chew on it?

[conniew]

I am new to gerbil keeping and I also have a 20 gallon tank. I am in the US and I have not been able to find just a topper for a 20 gallon tank. I ended up buying a tank that came with a topper. The topper has a wire grid floor and the gerbils do fine with it. Here is a picture of the type grid the floor is made of. It is a picture of one of the ladders that came with the tank. Also a pic of the tank set up. Hope you find what you are looking for.

I am getting a 40 gallon breeder tank and toppers for those are non existant. So my son and I are making a topper for that one using the top wire cage of another hamster cage and fixing it to a board to fit over the 40 gallon tank. If you cannot find a topper for the 20 gallon you might consider making one. Just a thought.

[cgreat]

Mar 14, 2024 8:06:14 GMT -8 conniew said:

I am new to gerbil keeping and I also have a 20 gallon tank. I am in the US and I have not been able to find just a topper for a 20 gallon tank. I ended up buying a tank that came with a topper. The topper has a wire grid floor and the gerbils do fine with it. Here is a picture of the type grid the floor is made of. It is a picture of one of the ladders that came with the tank. Also a pic of the tank set up. Hope you find what you are looking for.

I am getting a 40 gallon breeder tank and toppers for those are non existant. So my son and I are making a topper for that one using the top wire cage of another hamster cage and fixing it to a board to fit over the 40 gallon tank. If you cannot find a topper for the 20 gallon you might consider making one. Just a thought.

where did you get the tank with a topper?

[conniew]

I got it on Amazon. It is the
OIIBO 3 Tiers Large Hamster Cages, Glass Hamster Cage Habitat with Openable Wire Topper, Gerbil Cage with Two Ladders Ramps and Removeable Waterproof PVC Tray, Easy to Clean

It is the best gerbil cage I could find because the tank is deeper than any other type gerbil cage out there. Also the topper is great. I have the NiteAngel 11" wheel that just fits in there.
I am going to use the 40 gallon as their play pen area. I have dogs and cats here so I need a secure play pen for them. I may end up just moving them into the 40 gallon, I don't know yet.

This Oiibo cage is pricey but I think it is worth it if a 20 gallon is what you choose to use or that is all the room you have for it. I am very limited on room in my house, but I squeezed out a place
for the 40 gallon. LOL!

Good Luck on finding the perfect set up for your gerbils.

[cgreat]

Got it thanks

[Markpd]

Mar 13, 2024 18:31:29 GMT -8 cgreat said:

I have a 20 gallon tank and I feel like my gerbils are feeling a little cramped and bored. I do have the toys (I do need a new wheel though, I know that plays a huge part in it. I just need a good one and not plastic. They chew the plastic like crazy.) but I think they might like a tank topper. But I'm also worried that they might hurt their feet. What can I put over the wire floor? And also does the paint come off of the wire if they chew on it?

Paint on a wire mesh? Personally I've not seen painted mesh, I've only ever seen galvanised mesh, I personally haven't seen that been chewed off as far as I recall.

I see conniew's mesh isn't galvanised but plastic coated I think, perhaps that might be chewed off, but they might not be inclined to chew the floor.

Is it plastic coated conniew?

[conniew]

Markpd, the white tank in the photos above show powder coated cage bars. I looked up what powder coating on cage bars is:

"Powder coating is a pigmented polymer resin that is processed into a powder and adhered to the metal cage using electrostatics. The powder is then baked on. It is a non-toxic coating and covers the entire cage seamlessly."
Here is my new set up with a DIY topper. This is a 40 gallon breeder tank. We used Poplar lumber and my son made the lid and I bought the Prevue 528 hamster cage for the wire topper. It is held in place using small bungee cords. Cream and Coco love their new
digs. Pun intended. LOL! I have added a couple of small wooden platforms to the back of the topper and a couple tubes since this photo was taken. It is a really nice set up. I am very happy with it. Since the gerbils have been in this set up there is no more cage biting. 

[Markpd]

Yea nice setup
I guess the powder used for powder coating is just paint then?

[conniew]

Mar 31, 2024 8:15:02 GMT -8 Markpd said:

Yea nice setup
I guess the powder used for powder coating is just paint then?

It says it is a non toxic polymer resin. I don't think it is a paint. It has to be baked on.