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Post by WineDine on Mar 12, 2005 6:32:48 GMT -8
You know when you get an idea and want to ask other people what they think? Read on...
Basically the wood shavings, plastic toys, water bottle, food bowl etc etc that are normally found within a gerbils cage are almost totally un-natural and I would like to create something that almost is.
My initial ideas are:
- A natural 'landscape' within the tank simulating the natural environment for gerbils.
- Using sand instead of wood shavings
- Using stones and rocks to build up the landscape. (and maybe slate?)
- Implement some kind of tunnel system (either one that can be dug by the gerbs, or a pre set unchangable one)
- Scattered food instead of a in a bowl
I also has some more far fetched but maybe possible ideas:
- Finding a way to maximise air-flow within a tank (usually difficult, with bad air-flow resulting in stagnation)
- small stream of constantly flowing water in the tank which is collected, filtered and pumped back to to the start. This would replace the water bottle. (a crazy idea i know!)
There are loads of problems with a setup like this. Like the sand quickly getting filthy and stinking. Ideally the whole setup would require as little maintenance as possible.
Does any one have any ideas? Criticisms? Thoughts?
Has anyone done something similar?
Any feedback would be appericiated!
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Post by piffthegerbl on Mar 12, 2005 7:48:04 GMT -8
wow that sounds like a really coooool idea! I might have to try that! I was going to get a chameleon and was looking at all the stuff I needed at petsmart and there was this little wasterfall rock thing that was kind of like your flowing stream! My gerbils dig all the food out of their dish so that they can go scavenger for it. I might buy a huge 50 gal and try that out it sounds fun!
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Post by jdmvan1 on Mar 12, 2005 8:34:39 GMT -8
I've been toying around with one concept, that gerbils seem to want to go to the bathroom at the highest point in their house.
I have also been experimenting with a house setup that has an upper level that is easily accessibleto them, has no other deterrents like food or wheels to confuse them, easy to clean, and that I clean much more frequently then their bedding /sand and play areas.
Has anyone else worked on this idea and had any success??
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Post by AndreaS15 on Mar 12, 2005 11:03:17 GMT -8
I havn't tryed this, but have read on other boards and such that sand can be abrasive on the gerbils noses, and that it get's smelly fast. But there are a few who have the sand and hay together. To me the sand would just be to messy, and you would have to be careful where you bought it, so that it didn't carry anything to make your gerbil sick.
I would scrap the stream idea, one because gerbils can get sick if they get wet, and two in the wild they don't get water from streams but from the fresh plants they eat. (Three man would that be hard to build LOL)
Also remember that the "Pets" we have now, are just that, they are no longer wild animals. They have been bred by people for people they way people want them.
Please keep us updated if you do decide on this.
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Post by lizzy on Mar 12, 2005 14:35:41 GMT -8
All except one of my tanks are filled high with bedding so they can dig and make their own tunnels. I find it pointless when people buy tanks then put just a couple of inches of bedding in the bottom of the tank  remember that gerbils don't live on JUST sand in the wild, its sandy soil  I'd also be at a loss on where to buy the sand from, the bird sand thats sold at petstores here is unsuitable for gerbils as it gets into their eyes, etc. For sandbaths I use chinchilla sand, but I've never found anywhere to buy it in bulk.. I do like your ideas though! |
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Post by paws on Mar 13, 2005 10:42:46 GMT -8
gosh thats a GOOD idea!
My edits
Sand mixed with sawdust so that they can burrow better
The stream is good, but it would have to be covered with some sort of protection, preferably glass, and have a nib so they could get constantly clean water, and it still would be pretty so that they wouldn't fall in.
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Post by jdmvan1 on Mar 13, 2005 19:07:27 GMT -8
Chinchilla Sand is usually just Diatomaceous Earth, which is sold at the other side of the pet store as filter media for some types of aquarium filters. And for a much lower price, you can find "DE" in a swimming pool supply place (possibly also Home Depot etc) as it is also a common pool-filter media. All except one of my tanks are filled high with bedding so they can dig and make their own tunnels. I find it pointless when people buy tanks then put just a couple of inches of bedding in the bottom of the tank remember that gerbils don't live on JUST sand in the wild, its sandy soil I'd also be at a loss on where to buy the sand from, the bird sand thats sold at petstores here is unsuitable for gerbils as it gets into their eyes, etc. For sandbaths I use chinchilla sand, but I've never found anywhere to buy it in bulk.. I do like your ideas though! |
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Post by bananasplit on Apr 13, 2005 11:35:14 GMT -8
[quote author=AndreaS15 I havn't tryed this, but have read on other boards and such that sand can be abrasive on the gerbils noses, and that it get's smelly fast. But there are a few who have the sand and hay together. To me the sand would just be to messy, and you would have to be careful where you bought it, so that it didn't carry anything to make your gerbil sick.[/quote]
I have also heard that sand can cause sores on gerbils faces.
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Post by taivas on Apr 14, 2005 11:46:46 GMT -8
Hi
I don´t see any reason for keeping mongolian gerbils on sand. There are other gerbils you can keep on sand (the palid gerbil for example, I think). The only sand mongolian gerbils need is a bowl of bathing sand, from my point of view.
I also wouldn´t suggest flowing water in a gerbil´s tank. Moisture isn´t good for gerbils. I´m not an expert in Terraristics but I think a "stream" in the tank would cause the air being too moist for gerbils. So, the "good old " drinking bottle still is the best choice.
In general it´s a good idea trying to make the tank as natural as possible. I myself don´t use any plastic (only the drinking bottle) in my gerbils tank and I´ve never used a bowl for food.
Greatings,
Sabine
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 15, 2005 9:48:31 GMT -8
 As you can see, I've had sand as bedding too! It is fantastic to wacht them dig! I've never had gerbils with sore noses! And it seems unlogical that sand will cause this, as gerbils in the wild also live in burrows in sand. They need to dig them too. Only I've stopped using this, because it takes a lot more work too clean. One tank is ok, but several is too much for me! And yes sand start to smell faster than other bedding materials. This is because sand does not absorb their urine! |
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Post by gerbil on Apr 18, 2005 11:31:51 GMT -8
That's such a good idea. I've also heard about gerbils being kept in a closed backyard. They escaped soner or later.
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Post by lizzy on Apr 24, 2005 11:30:43 GMT -8
wow those tunnels look great peter!
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Post by imnotagerbil on Apr 28, 2005 9:32:06 GMT -8
Wow i've only just seen this topic up.. Peter(oups) thats really coool  Do you have other pictures of that tank it looks massive from the point of view you took the picture and is that a tree root in the middle i just dont get it< in mongolia the terrain they use is sand right so why do they get irritated by it and get sores in cages is it because the gerbils i have have been domesticated? just like peter(oups again') said>>> i don"t kno why but my keyboard is typing weird in this forum i can"t put dots! everytime i scrolll it goes back and forth on internet papes theo |
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 30, 2005 3:20:38 GMT -8
It was my first tank, and it were my first gerbils. The tank was not very big. I will see if I can find some more photos. I'm sure I have them somewhere.
It is not a root what you see, but just a branch. The tank was filled with stones and sand and one thick branch. This helps also by the support of the tunnels. They dig under it, etc.
I've never had problems with sand.
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Post by janet on May 2, 2005 15:28:23 GMT -8
Hi jd: So weird I just saw your post!! Yes! I just discovered yesterday that mine has been going to the bathroom on top of the wooden house! It did intrigue me too and I hope he keeps doing that!  Janet |
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