Tank topper question

[kaitlynmoore2007]

Hi I have a question about getting a cage topper for my 10 gallon cage for midnight amd cupid. I was wondering if any of you have a cage topper. I want one that they will not be able to chew through or escape. And that is not over $40. Also can it not have plastic ramps for they will chew right through it. Also is the one at peck a good tank topper. Will they chew on the bars because I heard that is bad for them what would I do if they do chew on the bars. Thanks

[fysha]

I'm sorry but I really can't help you as I have never used a bar cage or a tank topper for my gerbils. I've only used tanks for my guys/gals. Hopefully someone else will come along and help you with your question.

betty, catnut, Can either one of you answer the question(s)?

[catnut]

I've never had a cage topper and have read they can be dangerous or have been for some gerbils. Would you be able to get a larger tank for them, sometimes' you can get a good deal on used, esp. at thrift stores, garage sales or online?

[flora7suzy4ever]

The only tank toppers I have seen in use have mesh or barred bottoms which look dangerous for little feet or uncomfortable at the least. It would probably be pretty easy to find another larger cage depending on where you live.

[sophie661]

Hey Kaitlyn, firstly yeah let’s avoid any plastic in with them as they will find it and chew it to pieces. Secondly I think although some people have some ‘success’ with a topper - generally I’d say it’s a no. As much as you give them enrichment and handle them; some gerbils will always be prone to chewing on the topper which I wouldn’t say is great for them and is also a real nightmare to listen to for yourself!
Also it’s not great for their little feet and they still manage to kick up bedding everywhere!
Personally I’d suggest an all enclosed tank with no plastic, glue or anything they can get their teeth into 👍🏼 eBay is always a good place to look for either preused tanks or even custom built tanks now!

[betty]

I don't currently use tank toppers myself, but I have done in the past - but I always like to cover the wire shelves as much as possible with bendy bridges, ledges and other materials as I really do worry about their toes.

However, saying that, we don't have THAT many people on here saying that their gerbils are injured through their use - we do have a stready flow of toe related injuries reported, but sometimes these are from a fitting rather than on the bars themselves.

Also, you can't stop the mess coming out the sides (for everyone) or the bar chewing (only if they are a bar chewing individual). Not all gerbils chew bars - but all gerbils dig.

I often recommend a topper to people who are geting new gerbils and who want to bond well with them, specially with handling and taming as often if you get them a great big tank - they have the time of their life - but they don't often then feel the need to come out for play time. And when you do want them to come out you need to dig them out yourself.

So, there are certainly pros of getting a tank topper for everyone (extra space in general, stuff up in the top that can't fit in the bottom without taking up valuable digging space, easier to tame/catch/handle, etc), but then there are the cons for a few (including damaged toes and tail, bar chewing and bald noses, mess all out the sides and noise for you), but saying that - I also get injuries, mess all out the top and noise from inside just the tanks, so it really is a personal thing.

As long as it is securely fitted - with no obvious sharp edges or chew points - then I would say go for it. Many people have and recommend toppers, so we can't ignore that knowledge. You can always take it off after a time if you really don't like it anymore?

Good luck whatever you decide for now...

[kaitlynmoore2007]

Thanks for your help can you check out the petco you and me tank topper. I would place cardboard on the floores and ramps so there are no toe or tail injires. And when they destroy the cardboard I will replace it. I will put tons of bedding in the bottom tank and toms of toys in the top and bottom bit not too much. Thanks for ypur opinion. Any idea if they are bar chewers how I can prevent/ stop this. Thanks again for your opinion. I am new to this app and fourum.

May 28, 2018 3:25:48 GMT -8 betty said:

I don't currently use tank toppers myself, but I have done in the past - but I always like to cover the wire shelves as much as possible with bendy bridges, ledges and other materials as I really do worry about their toes.

However, saying that, we don't have THAT many people on here saying that their gerbils are injured through their use - we do have a stready flow of toe related injuries reported, but sometimes these are from a fitting rather than on the bars themselves.

Also, you can't stop the mess coming out the sides (for everyone) or the bar chewing (only if they are a bar chewing individual). Not all gerbils chew bars - but all gerbils dig.

I often recommend a topper to people who are geting new gerbils and who want to bond well with them, specially with handling and taming as often if you get them a great big tank - they have the time of their life - but they don't often then feel the need to come out for play time. And when you do want them to come out you need to dig them out yourself.

So, there are certainly pros of getting a tank topper for everyone (extra space in general, stuff up in the top that can't fit in the bottom without taking up valuable digging space, easier to tame/catch/handle, etc), but then there are the cons for a few (including damaged toes and tail, bar chewing and bald noses, mess all out the sides and noise for you), but saying that - I also get injuries, mess all out the top and noise from inside just the tanks, so it really is a personal thing.

As long as it is securely fitted - with no obvious sharp edges or chew points - then I would say go for it. Many people have and recommend toppers, so we can't ignore that knowledge. You can always take it off after a time if you really don't like it anymore?

Good luck whatever you decide for now...

[kaitlynmoore2007]

May 28, 2018 6:23:57 GMT -8 kaitlynmoore2007 said:

Thanks for your help can you check out the petco you and me tank topper. I would place cardboard on the floores and ramps so there are no toe or tail injires. And when they destroy the cardboard I will replace it. I will put tons of bedding in the bottom tank and toms of toys in the top and bottom bit not too much. Thanks for ypur opinion. Any idea if they are bar chewers how I can prevent/ stop this. Thanks again for your opinion. I am new to this app and fourum.

May 28, 2018 3:25:48 GMT -8 betty said:

I don't currently use tank toppers myself, but I have done in the past - but I always like to cover the wire shelves as much as possible with bendy bridges, ledges and other materials as I really do worry about their toes.

However, saying that, we don't have THAT many people on here saying that their gerbils are injured through their use - we do have a stready flow of toe related injuries reported, but sometimes these are from a fitting rather than on the bars themselves.

Also, you can't stop the mess coming out the sides (for everyone) or the bar chewing (only if they are a bar chewing individual). Not all gerbils chew bars - but all gerbils dig.

I often recommend a topper to people who are geting new gerbils and who want to bond well with them, specially with handling and taming as often if you get them a great big tank - they have the time of their life - but they don't often then feel the need to come out for play time. And when you do want them to come out you need to dig them out yourself.

So, there are certainly pros of getting a tank topper for everyone (extra space in general, stuff up in the top that can't fit in the bottom without taking up valuable digging space, easier to tame/catch/handle, etc), but then there are the cons for a few (including damaged toes and tail, bar chewing and bald noses, mess all out the sides and noise for you), but saying that - I also get injuries, mess all out the top and noise from inside just the tanks, so it really is a personal thing.

As long as it is securely fitted - with no obvious sharp edges or chew points - then I would say go for it. Many people have and recommend toppers, so we can't ignore that knowledge. You can always take it off after a time if you really don't like it anymore?

Good luck whatever you decide for now...

I have been looking and found some ideas on how to stop bar chewing naturally

[betty]

Most tank toppers can be used effectively - just consider where the access points are for you to get in as a side door is usually easier than a top door for easy access at gerbil level.

The images I found of the petco topper seemed to show absolutey no bedding in the bottom and the wheel in there which is totally the opposite of what most people do. People usually cram the bottom full of bedding (so they don't have to use the full height of that steep wirey ladder) and have the wheel in the topper - usually attached upside-down to the ceiling to leave even more surface room for other stuff.

As for bar chewing, there is no way of knowing whether your gerbils will be bar chewers, and sometimes no real way to stop it straight. You can use various dissuading techniques, or temporary fixes, but sometimes it is just a metter of time before they do it again.

I have only really had two devoted bar chewers in my time, but had plenty of gerbils in a gerbilarium set up without the bar chewing. Same goes for tank screen chewers and house destroyers. They are all individuals trying to get by, all we can do is try to modify their behaviour as best we can.

I would certainly be intersted to hear of the ideas you have found incase somebody has suddenly come up with a winner of a way to stop bar chewing that we didn't know about - then we can all share it and people can get to sleep at night...

[kaitlynmoore2007]

May 28, 2018 23:49:30 GMT -8 betty said:

Most tank toppers can be used effectively - just consider where the access points are for you to get in as a side door is usually easier than a top door for easy access at gerbil level.

The images I found of the petco topper seemed to show absolutey no bedding in the bottom and the wheel in there which is totally the opposite of what most people do. People usually cram the bottom full of bedding (so they don't have to use the full height of that steep wirey ladder) and have the wheel in the topper - usually attached upside-down to the ceiling to leave even more surface room for other stuff.

As for bar chewing, there is no way of knowing whether your gerbils will be bar chewers, and sometimes no real way to stop it straight. You can use various dissuading techniques, or temporary fixes, but sometimes it is just a metter of time before they do it again.

I have only really had two devoted bar chewers in my time, but had plenty of gerbils in a gerbilarium set up without the bar chewing. Same goes for tank screen chewers and house destroyers. They are all individuals trying to get by, all we can do is try to modify their behaviour as best we can.

I would certainly be intersted to hear of the ideas you have found incase somebody has suddenly come up with a winner of a way to stop bar chewing that we didn't know about - then we can all share it and people can get to sleep at night...

I dont know if this workes to stop bar chewing but it is worth a try. Rub some lemon juice on the bars ever once in a while.

[al0309]

I personally would just buy a larger tank. I have never used a tank topper. I prefer 20 gallon long tanks for a pair or larger. I have bought a tank plus a mesh lid for less then $40. I pretty much always buy my tanks during petcos $1 per gallon sale or look on Facebook marketplace for used. I have housed my gerbils temporary in a wire cage during cleaning and such, and they always seem nervous/frightened of the wires and lack of bedding. The prefer to dig, so more room for bedding is a plus.

[Alyssa Martin]

Hi!

I know this is a old question but I thought I'd add my 2 cents.

I previously owned two gerbils, unfortunately they passed away several months ago. However I can tell you my experience with the linked cage topper.

www.amazon.com/Ware-Manufacturing-Chew-Proof-Small/dp/B0027J381U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532710308&sr=8-1&keywords=10+gallon+tank+topper

I bought this a few months after adopting my gerbils for free from a women on craiglist. Needless to say the women got the gerbils (2 males) for her young son, knew nothing about them and claimed they were "moving away."

The two had fought and one was torn up pretty badly, I actually ended up paying a vet because the one needed a bloody toe nail removed and antibiotics badly.

So after this whole ordeal I figured they should simply be separated but I didn't want to have 0 contact between them as I felt they both wanted someone near but I didn't want to risk getting another gerbil for each and having issues again. So I got the above cage topper. Both had one on a 10 gallon and they seemed to love the ability to climb and have space to see or get away from the other gerbil (the tops were next to each other like if you were doing the split cage method.)

These worked very well and I used them for at minimum 2 years. The one worked amazing but the other the company didn't make right so I had to get out the pliers and tweak it a bit, overall I really likes them.

In the summer when my room got hotter both the gerbils would sleep on the mesh top so as to be cooler, and in the winter would burrow in the aspen (one was allergic to paper bedding so I couldn't use that.) Since the top was mesh I could attach their wheel, only the kaytee one would fit attached this way. Luckly my boys were small so this type of wheel worked, I tried to upgrade them to a larger one but I think because they had the other type so long they were stuck on that one (the previous owner used those wheels.)

There was room on the top shelf to add a sandbox/bathroom and on the lower shelf room to have food and a water bottle. I liked this set up due to being able to add all sorts of bridges and hiding places on the bottom and both gerbils seemed to love it as well.

However when my one gerbil passed and the other became ill with a tumor I didn't want excessive movement climbing like that so I bought a 20 gallon long. I can not tell you how much fun my gerbil had in the 20 gallon long compared to the 10 gallon with a topper he loved it! He acted so much younger and was constantly running around even in his old age.

So whats my opinion? If your dead set on getting a tank topper they work great, but I highly recommend something large and long instead of tall. In your case a 40 gallon tank would work great for two gerbils. I had each of mine in a 40 gallon at one point but it got to stressful for them and they didn't enjoy it. I really do with I could just go with the 20 gallon after seeing how my one acted.

I wish you the best of luck.
-Alyssa