What to put sand in?

[reallybes]

OK, I want to put sand in something that my gerbils wont be able to kick it out of. Also, I want to be able to place it INSIDE the tank. I saw someone post a picture of a sand enclosure and it was one of those critter totes



And i thought it was a great idea at first but soon realized that they would just chew the plastic. I was at the dollar store looking for something that I can put sand in but one with a small opening on the top or side so that sand cannot be kicked out of easily.

Any suggestions?

[whitmoregirl]

I put mine in a small dog bowl and put it in their cage when they look like they need it / box when I'm cleaning them out o.0

[XD]

That's what I use. The one on the bottom, right corner is the size I use. They DON'T chew the plastic. It's a different kind of plastic, it's not made out of the same stuff as the plastic houses you find. It doesn't appeal to any of them. You just have to keep the cover off.

They don't kick it out either. You only need a couple of inches of sand.They roll in it the first day and then use it as a bathroom.

What I do is velcro it to the sides of the tank, up high so they have to jump or climb things to get into it. Otherwise, they go nuts digging around it, knocking it over and burrying it. There's one gerbil I had to quit leaving sand boxes in with because even velcroed to the side, he brings the shavings/tissue up there to make a nest while crapping and peeing on it. It's gross.

[doomgerbiluk]

I rarely keep sand in the tank as the gerbs tend to either dig out or turn it into a smeely mess
for this reason I either use the pens you've shown and put the gerbs in that (often I bury treats int he sand). This works especially well when used during clean out times etc. the other thing I do is put a bowl of sand in the play pen for them, along with other toys. This is fun and treat time for me and my animals to interact.

[sandy]

I use a fishbowl for my Degu tank, and for my gerbils I have a seperate tank set up with sand, just for bathing in. I don't give them food in this tank at all, it's just for a fun time, say 1/2 hr. max.

[reallybes]

Fish bowls sound cool. Thanks for the idea, Sandy .. They're selling flat fish bowls at the dollar store, I think I'm gonna grab a few & a few critter totes ..

[sorchajude]

i put mine in to a wooden boxs that they can climb in to but no sand can get out

ellorie

[RitzieAnn]

Eric and I used stiff cardboard and hot glue in the corrner of the tank. They LOVE IT! (there's a pict in the thread titled, "135 gallons of gerbil house")

[peppermint]

OK i know im being really dim here (nothing new!) but whats the sand for???

[reallybes]

For sandbathing.

[RyanF]

Indeed, it is the way gerbils keep themselves clean. Just like humans take showers.