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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 6, 2021 8:51:28 GMT -8
That’s actually quite often that you changed the bedding in your 55 gallon tank. For my 29 gallon tank I change it every 2 months or so and even then it doesn’t really smell.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 6, 2021 10:29:20 GMT -8
I assume you guys are talking US gallons? And yea I agree that bigger cages need few bedding changes, I used to change my boys tank's (79 US gallons) bedding every 2 months, but I realised that was unnecessary and now change it every 3mths. Although atm I've had to delay it after their recent declann and re-intro (didn't want to disrupt them), it doesn't smell but it is getting very dusty now , I did think about doing a 1/2 change, but really the whole lot needs to go now!
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 6, 2021 10:48:39 GMT -8
Yes we are talking about US gallons. I honestly didn’t realize that other countries had different gallon measurements but I that does make sense since it’s a different measurement system.
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Post by yeti218 on Sept 6, 2021 15:51:24 GMT -8
That’s actually quite often that you changed the bedding in your 55 gallon tank. For my 29 gallon tank I change it every 2 months or so and even then it doesn’t really smell. Hmm... maybe I should let it go longer ... I did actually wait 12 weeks this time because I was going out of town and didnt want to do a big clean and then leave, and it really didnt seem too bad when I cleaned it at 12 weeks.
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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 Sept 7, 2021 7:52:39 GMT -8
XD Ok,ok so 30 gal only needs bedding change every 2 months??
So technically I'd be buying about the same amount of bedding?
I buy bedding every three months, as I clean their cage fully every 4 weeks or so.
Pipsqueak do you use the whole package when you fill up their tank?
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 7, 2021 12:52:46 GMT -8
A 29 gallon has the same base size as a 20 gallon it’s just taller. So if you wanted higher bedding then yes you would need more bedding.
As of right now I use almost a whole bag but I buy the largest bags of bedding and still have space for more. Now that I have a 55 gallon tank I will need way more bedding initially but I won’t be changing as much of it, as often.
If you are looking for a tank upgrade I suggest a 40 gallon tank. I was considering it yesterday when I was at the pet store buying my tank but it had 2 inches less height than a 29 gallon tank and I wanted more height along with a larger base but the 40 gallon is bigger on the base so it is definitely a great option. It was $65 compared to $90 for the 55 gallon. I don’t really reccomend just getting the 29 gallon since it’s still pretty small and doesn’t upgrade the square inches. If you have enough money for it I really suggest getting the 40 gallon at least.
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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 Sept 7, 2021 13:24:29 GMT -8
Great thank you!
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 7, 2021 13:30:55 GMT -8
I was just assuming you have a 20 gallon tank? Am I right?
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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 Sept 7, 2021 15:28:06 GMT -8
Correct! I do have a 20 gal!
Rn I’m wondering about sum stuff before I do the bedding switch.
1. Is it even worth the hassle to have the wheel in their cage right now? It is usually covered and bedding and they don’t seem to use it all that much even when it isn’t buried. The extra space would be for more bedding!!
2. I take out as much old bedding that will fit in one of those giant ziplocks. Then I trash the rest, and fill with new. Then I sprinkle the Zip Lock bedding on top? Is this correct?
3. There is no way in heck the change in bedding will kill them? Right? I am EXTREMELY paranoid, ESPECIALLY with my gerbs!
4. Last thing is about moving their tank back in- So the smell of paint in my room is ALMOST completely gone. I can still smell it if I REALLLLY try. Do I have to wait for the smell to completely disappear? Especially with the change of bedding I’d like to keep an eye on them!
<3
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 7, 2021 15:59:16 GMT -8
If they don’t use their wheel it might not be bad to leave it out. It’s always good to have but if they just bury it so much you can leave it out for now but look for a solution soon. I suggest a platform or having lower bedding on that area or even a divider. I also suggest looking into a larger tank if possible. I will let you know how my gerbils like their new tank once I get the lid. They will be upgrading from a 29 gallon to a 55 gallon tank. When cleaning my tank I usually like to replace about half the bedding. I take out all the dirty parts usually they are at the bottom since things like food, sand, and poo sink to the bottom. The clean part I keep and replace the other portion with clean bedding. One ziplock bag isn’t a whole lot and won’t really make the new bedding smell too much like their old bedding. No changing all their bedding or some of it won’t kill them. It might be a bit stressful but with full changes and partial ones I haven’t seen my gerbils being stressed. I of course leave the chews and toys in their so that has their smell but I still recommend keeping about half of their bedding in there. Leaving it in will also help keep bedding costs down. I don’t think that the paint smell will harm them as long as you can’t smell. It just depends on how long ago you painted. You don’t need to be too paranoid about your gerbils. Usually you can’t screw things up too much as long as your use your common sense.
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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 Sept 8, 2021 4:53:39 GMT -8
Well! I took out the wheel! But now they have a sand bath in there.. I put the sand bath under the water bottle if it wasn't there the bottle would have been buried in two seconds flat! XD
Doing the bedding change today!!! So excited. I'll try to keep more than a Zip Lock bag this time. It's just with the Kaytee, it ALL looks dirty. But I always keep some because I've heard of declans after a bedding change.
I ReallY do want to get a bigger tank!!! But my dad thinks this cage size is fine. He also thinks the Pet store only sells stuff good for animals..... So that's always a little tricky!
The thing about the paint is this- I Can still smell it if I try to. But I didn't paint the closet the gerbils will be in.... By the way! I painted 3 weeks ago now? I think-
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 8, 2021 12:39:35 GMT -8
It should be fine to put them back into their cage. If it’s been over 3 weeks that should be plenty of time.
Yes convincing parents of a larger cage is very hard. I had to do lots of research to convince mine but again my gerbils were showing visible signs of stress. They were chewing at the bars of their toppers A LOT!
If the white bedding gets dirty I really suggest getting some brown bedding. It looks a lot more natural and doesn’t look dirty.
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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 Sept 8, 2021 12:49:58 GMT -8
The bedding I bought has a weird smell? Pip Squeak is this normal with your bedding?
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Post by PipSqueak on Sept 8, 2021 12:51:26 GMT -8
Did you buy the all living things brand? I never have noticed any weird smell with mine. I just checked and it smells like every other bedding I have bought. What would you describe the smell as? Also is it the brown color? That’s the only color I have ever bought.
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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 Sept 8, 2021 13:02:11 GMT -8
To be honest…. I don’t really know how to describe the smell… I have never smelt anything like it!!
Maybe a bit sour?? It’s not overpowering or anything..
Maybe I’m just not used to a smelling bedding as I don’t remember Kaytee smelling like this
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