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Post by PipSqueak on Feb 13, 2021 9:48:46 GMT -8
I have a tank topper and it has a mesh floor. I have been using these hay mats from Oxbow and my gerbils have torn it up. So I have been trying to find more cost effective ways for the floor. I have tried to find some bendable bridges but they don't fit the dimensions of the topper and I was thinking of getting some wood cut to size at Home Depot but I thought that the wood might not be water resistant if they go to the bathroom on it. Is there anything else I could use?
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Post by Markpd on Feb 13, 2021 9:57:28 GMT -8
You could coat the wood in Plastikote (that's what I have on my boys platform), or some other similar non toxic varnish?
The trouble with a solid floor is your cutting off ventilation to the cage below, but then again, if it's only a small portion of the cages roof it shouldn't matter, I don't know what the cut off point would be though for proportions.
Also, how about fine mesh? (say a few mm hole size? If you can find it). What size is the current mesh?
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Post by yeti218 on Feb 13, 2021 14:14:42 GMT -8
You could coat the wood in Plasticote (that's what I have on my boys platform), or some other similar non toxic varnish? The trouble with a solid floor is your cutting off ventilation to the cage below, but then again, if it's only a small portion of the cages roof it shouldn't matter, I don't know what the cut off point would be though. Also, how about fine mesh? (say a few mm hole size? If you can find it). What size is the current mesh? I’m thinking even fine mesh could risk getting nails caught, so I wouldn’t use it for a floor. Sealing wood is a good idea, or even use some corrugated cardboard and just replace it when it gets too dirty. Good point about the ventilation though. |
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Post by PipSqueak on Feb 13, 2021 15:33:52 GMT -8
It only covers less than half of the floor so they have plenty of ventilation. I have bendable bridges in now but they don't cover the whole floor. I will look into the varnish coating.
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Post by elsaandanna on Feb 26, 2021 7:24:41 GMT -8
I just use a thin piece of cardboard, and change it weekly to every 2 weeks when it gets dirty. I use cereal boxes turned over as Elsa and Anna don't seem to chew it like they chew thicker cardboard
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Post by Markpd on Feb 27, 2021 3:56:05 GMT -8
And they're somewhat water resistant too, good idea if you get enough cereal boxes  |
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Post by Scott on Feb 27, 2021 4:31:42 GMT -8
Consider using balsa wood. It's easy enough to cut on your own--depending on the thickness, you can trim it with a utility knife--and it's cheap, so you can get loads and replace it if they chew it down. For further moisture resistance, you can spread some mineral oil or melted candelilla wax on it. Both are nontoxic (pharmaceutical grade mineral oil is sold in supermarkets/drug stores as a mild laxative, and candelilla wax is added to lip balm and cosmetics). You can also cut holes in it for added circulation.
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Post by Markpd on Feb 27, 2021 4:51:16 GMT -8
For a second there I thought you meant all mineral oils, lol, I'm glad you said 'pharmaceutical grade' mineral oil further on, as engine oil is mineral oil and is certainly not non-toxic! lol  Good to know on those, roughly how much are they? |
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Post by Scott on Feb 27, 2021 18:05:33 GMT -8
Mineral oil is distinct from engine oil. Both are refined from petroleum (which is basically hydrocarbons) but engine oil is not mineral oil. Maybe you were thinking mineral spirits (a solvent)?
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Post by Markpd on Feb 28, 2021 3:46:21 GMT -8
Hmm, no I was thinking of engine oil, and I'm pretty sure that is a mineral oil, but now you're making me wonder and I'll have to double check. [edit] It seems to be a specific by product of distilling crude, a clear odourless liquid. I swear I've seen mineral oil used to describe engine oil though, lol, oh well..... Wait, just found this, talks about mineral engine oils. So yes, old (non synthetic) engine oils are mineral oils, presumably from the same 'family' by product of crude as pharm grade mineral oil.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199 
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Post by Mochi on Jun 2, 2021 8:36:42 GMT -8
Hi! Don’t know if anyone is still here, this post was awhile ago!
I’m thinking of getting the Petsmart cage topper but it’s 35$ which is not a problem, but will adding safe flooring be too expensive? I try to be frugal (aka cheap) but I want my gerbs to have a great life!
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Jun 2, 2021 8:40:44 GMT -8
It’s the WARE Chew Proof topper btw
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Post by PipSqueak on Jun 2, 2021 10:38:41 GMT -8
I found this post online, "Balsa wood is a soft and, in most cases, inexpensive wood. The price of balsa varies, depending on which store it is found in, but is generally around the ten dollar range." So the balsa wood shouldn't be too expensive but it depends what your price range is. You will have to cut in somehow. With the topper it looks like there are only 2 small platforms and the rest doesn't have any mesh floor it is just open. It is hard to tell with a picture but if I am right there might not be a ton of space to put anything in it like a wheel and sand bath.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Jun 2, 2021 11:38:58 GMT -8
Is that good? Or bad?
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Jun 2, 2021 11:39:13 GMT -8
Idk what else I would put in there besides a wheel
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), late 70s
