Can't find tank..

[Snippet]

Does anyone know where I could purchase a low, but wide tank? Most larger tanks, like 50 or more gallons are far too high, and not wide enough. I would like to buy a very wide tank for my gerbils so that they'll have alot of room to walk around in! ;D Is there no website that sells short, but wide tanks? I've had NO luck at all.

Or..don't home supply stores sell glass or plexi glass and I could just build my own custom tank? (Although I have no idea how to do so... ) And if I do have to build a tank myself, where could I buy the plastic that goes over the corners of the tank and some non-toxic glue that is safe for the gerbils?

Help is appreciated! thanks guys!

[doomgerbiluk]

Your best bet is contact your local glazier (glass merchant) and explain what you want. You than get a the glass cut to size and the edges ground. Creating a tank, especially one that needn't be waterproof. is not too hard. Use silicone sealer. Follow the instructions carefully.
Use yoru finger to finish off the inner edges carefully so it is smooth and concave, that will reduce gerbil nibbling on the sealant. If the tank is large it may need a middle cross-bar for strength. You could also get small shelves cut to add extra usable area for your gerbils.
www.geocities.com/borderviewdragons/maketank.html

[southcore]

20gal long tanks can be found almost anywhere besides walmart. 30 gallon tanks are both long and wide. Also i'd like to add that its can't be "too deep" for gerbils as they would love to have it filled with bedding material that they could dig in.

[RyanF]

I agree with southcore, you probably will not find a wide and short tank. Besides, gerbils need at least 5 inches to burrow, PLUS enough space to stand up in, so your tank should be at least 10 inches tall.

[annenrob]

Have you looked into a 40g breeder tank used primarily for reptiles. Also if you go the DIY route although the tank doesn't need to be waterproof I would use an aquarium sealant. I also belong to a Hermit Crab forum and many of the people there have had great success in building there own tanks and being cost effective about how they do it. All that being said be sure to keep in mind if do build your own remember that gerbils scratch a lot so if you use Plexiglas it will get scratched up and start to look blurry.

[reallybes]

annenrob said:

I also belong to a Hermit Crab forum and many of the people there have had great success in building there own tanks and being cost effective about how they do it.

Hey, do you mind if you post the URL of the Hermit Crab forum? I would love to join, I owned hermit crabs before but my friend really wanted them so she stole them from me LOL .. I couldn't stand in the way of her & her happiness so I allowed it. But lately I've been thinking about getting hermit crabs again, so joining a forum would be a good idea.

[annenrob]

Sure here you go
forums:
landhermitcrabs.com
www.hermitcrabassociation.com
lots of good info:
www.hermit-crabs.com
www.crabstreetjournal.com

[Snippet]

Thank you, doomgerbiluk! That tank tutorial will prove to be quite helpful. Thank you very much! !

southcore and ryan F: Well of course I won't make it too short! I know gerbils need to stand/ jump and dig. Just wider than some of the 50 gals I see around here in my pet stores. They're just not wide enough. I want alot more area, while still having adequate gerbil-digging depth. Thanks everyone for your replies! Wish me luck.

[RyanF]

Good luck! You probably will have to have it custom made, or make it yourself. I'm sure the gerbils will be thrilled once you find one like that!