RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Dec 30, 2005 16:20:26 GMT -8
Here are the two different ways I use to keep gerbils from climbing over top of the divider. You not only don't have to worry about one gerbil/clan deciding to visit the other, but they're great for when you're working in the tank so no one can climb over when your hands are full or you're not watching. Thin aluminum strip at top of divider. I think you can see how the divider itself is screwed to the plastic tank rim and fits snugly up against the bottom of it.  Heavier aluminum bar screwed to top of divider - if you have very agile gerbils, you can make the bar wider.  The bottom of the divider - you can see the aluminum L channel rails the divider sits in to the right and left in the photo  The pocket in the L channel the divider sits in - one on each side of the divider  Looking down from the top, the whole setup is like an H - two long pieces of aluminum channel cut to fit snugly lengthwise along both long sides of the tank and notched in the center to make a pocket for the divider (the short bar of the H) to sit in. I hope these will give you some ideas. If you need more or better photos, let me know and I'll see what I can do. RW |
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Post by RyanF on Dec 30, 2005 18:34:05 GMT -8
I shall sticky this one. Welcome back RW! We missed you.  |
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Dec 31, 2005 19:31:57 GMT -8
Thanks, Ryan!  RW |
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Post by AndreaS15 on Feb 9, 2006 22:05:11 GMT -8
I just wanted to update - My big Split cage is done, and i designed it from your last pictures there RW. it's worked out GREAT! I could sit on top of it, this thing is heavy duty, all made of steal LOL.
Once my Camera is working again, i should have some pictures up.
Thanks again for all your help!
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 9, 2006 23:01:05 GMT -8
Yeah, Andrea, your divider is pertty HEAVY duty! WOW! It's plenty enough to keep my rabbit seperated from gerbils! LOL It's pertty serious!
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Post by AndreaS15 on Feb 10, 2006 10:48:20 GMT -8
Yeah, Andrea, your divider is pertty HEAVY duty! WOW! It's plenty enough to keep my rabbit seperated from gerbils! LOL It's pertty serious! heh heh.. i could probably put small children in each side LOL so... anyone looking for a baby sister  HAHAHA |
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Feb 10, 2006 15:47:47 GMT -8
I just wanted to update - My big Split cage is done, and i designed it from your last pictures there RW. it's worked out GREAT! I could sit on top of it, this thing is heavy duty, all made of steal LOL. Once my Camera is working again, i should have some pictures up. Thanks again for all your help! Yup, those dividers are really sturdy. I've done about 20 split tanks, both pre-intro and permanent, and I've never yet had a gerbil get around one. Glad it worked for you, Andrea. I'd love to see some photos of your new tank. RW |
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Post by AndreaS15 on Feb 26, 2006 11:26:51 GMT -8
Here they are. I hope to take some more when I clean it, either today or tomorrow to.  Here you can see the little channel running down the bottom of the tank holding the screen in ... (Ya it's kinda covered in bedding lol)  The lid opens totally flat, and it kind of sits on the divider, holding it in place.  "I like my new home"  "That neighbour of mine makes to much noise"  Thank's again to everyone that helped with ideas and pictures! |
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Feb 27, 2006 8:57:16 GMT -8
Your new tank looks awesome! ;D
RW
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Post by pepandmax on Apr 8, 2006 6:43:53 GMT -8
Headed to the hardware store this weekend...
1. What type of mesh/ screen did you use? Is there an advantage/ disadvantage to "doubling up" the screen?
2. What is the frame of the screen?
3. I understand how it's held in place on the bottom, but how is it attached on the top (to keep it from falling over when an intrepid gerbil decides to play "mountaineer")? Oh, and I am looking to make a removable split, because hopefully there will come a time when the gerbils won't need it! So, I don't want to screw it in place.
I think that just about covers it, except UGH I don't really have the ideal tools to be working with metal... I'm going to ask the hardware store to cut the pieces for me...
Oh, and RW, the way you did the aluminum at the top of the dividers is genius.
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Apr 8, 2006 9:33:32 GMT -8
The screen is 1/4" hardware cloth. It's very sturdy and I've never yet heard of a gerbil chewing through it. Andrea's idea of using expanded metal mesh (I think that's what it's called) is great, too. I have two different dividers I use for pre-intro split tanks, one a double layer of hardware cloth, one a single. I use the doubled divider for the first week or so to minimize the risk of unfamiliar gerbils biting each other through the divider (I have a real phobia about nipped off toes!). Then I switch to the single divider to allow the gerbils some actual touching contact. The frame is made of aluminum U-channel with the hardware cloth riveted to it. You could use screws to attach the hardware cloth or even crimp the U-channel around the wire. All my dividers are screwed to the plastic top tank rim. Even with pre-intro splits, it's the safest way we've found. When it comes time to remove the divider, simply remove the screws. The only damage to the tank is the two small screw holes in the rim. Kylee's site ( homepage.mac.com/kyleekay/tip-of-the-week/tip053103.html) has very good, clear instructions, although she uses aquarium sealant to attach the divider to the tank, making it harder to convert the tank back to it's original state. Well, I wish I could claim the credit, but it was my husband's design. I told him I needed something to keep the gerbils from climbing over the divider and those are the two ideas he came up with. I actually like the first one the best (thin aluminum bent over the top of the divider and screwed to the top) because it doesn't get in the way. Depending on the type of aluminum you use, it could be sharp when it's cut, so you might have to sand the edges so you or your gerbils don't get injured. If I can help with any other info, just let me know. RW |
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Post by AndreaS15 on Apr 8, 2006 10:14:17 GMT -8
My split is all metal (only the bottom frame is aluminum) and welded, as my honey has a welder.
My lid have a [ shape (just flip it) so it sits on top of the divider, and so the lid actually holds it from moving as well as the bottom. there is no way around the top now.
Mine weights a bit, it's pretty heavy duty for sure.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Apr 8, 2006 18:54:09 GMT -8
Yeah, no kiddinng. If tigers were gerbil size, but with normal tiger powers.... you'd be able to keep them in Andrea! Hey, how much did all the stuff cost you? I know the tank was for a case of beer... lol cracks me up! But how much was that other stuff?
I made one in my 20gallon long tank. It's not nearly as pretty as the ones you guys have made, but I like it, and it serves my purposes.... and It didn't cost me anything. I'll try to get some picts of it.
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Post by pepandmax on Apr 10, 2006 16:52:45 GMT -8
I'll try to get some picts of it. That would be great It's incredible what you can get with a case of beer... especially if you offer it to 19 year-old U.S. college students... not like I would know or anything ;D |
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Post by SunshineGerbils on Jun 8, 2006 15:38:25 GMT -8
Lovely cage! I'm going to do the same with my 55g but i have one question, I the future when it comes time to sell my 55g tank, how many ppl are going to want a tank split in half permantly?  I want to make my cage a permanet split cage but i want to be able to remove the split when it comes time to sell! is this possible? |
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HAHAHA
