Cage deliberations, appropriate materials

[marmosetparadiso]

Hello, everybody!

I am currently deliberating on a few choices for when I choose to get a pair of gerbils. Despite some shortcomings in what is available in my part of Europe - no aspen here, I found solutions for some basics (Chipsi Classic seems to be alright for hamsters at least).

A big choice I am stuck on is what I might put the little guys in. All the rodent cages are either too small or are wired with a very small nesting height. The aquariums seem to be pricy for 150L or more.

1) Detolf - very simple solution. However, I am a little worried. Is it too narrow/too short? I know you can make more room with a topper, but I'd like to know if somebody has used it and are the gerbils happy with it?
(Making a topper involves the same wood problem as described below.)

2) DIY tank/cage - possibly more tiresome and expensive. A family friend is a carpenter so it won't be as hard, but I'm still researching some bits. I got the idea from Victoria Raechel, but I can't get the exact same supplies.

What kind of wood is best for a base of a DIY cage? She used formaldehyde-free aspen plywood which isn't really available. I see a lot of tank-like cages (Niteange, LaOla Nagarium) use MDF wood, but other people say this kind is bad for rodents. I also saw people say plywood is bad for gerbils/hamsters.
Untreated pine seems to be recommended, but I don't know if they meant solid wood or something else?
Would formaldehyde-free MDF be fine if I used enough sealant?

Thanks!

[iamplankton]

I’d go for a Detolf and you may even find a second hand one with lids already fitted. Most people use timber and mesh and make 2 lids so they are easier to remove and it’s perfect for gerbils and you can add a topper then by cutting the mesh and using cable ties to secure the topper down

[Markpd]

Thea uses a Detolf, maybe she can give you some tips .

My understanding is that the narrowness isn't a problem, as the length makes up for it, plus that length gives them good running room. What is somewhat of an issue though is the height, it only allows for marginal bedding depth, or if you fill it more it could be kicked out by vigorous gerbils! (but see what Thea says).

As I recall, the Lola cage uses laminated MDF, this would seal the MDF from the gerbils (and vice versa), so no out gassing or glue issues there.
Plywood is generally considered bad because of out gassing from the glue, and the glue itself if it's chewed. Although I have seen that called into question recently, with (I think Scott ?) saying that modern plywoods can be safe (so perhaps would depend on who makes it and where).
Re Pine, solid and kiln dried I believe, or at least dry so it can't weep sap.
Careful with what sealant you use.

[LilyandDaisy]

MDF, plywood etc are ok for cages as long as the surfaces are all flat so they can't be chewed. Painting or sealing them helps to further seal in any harmful chemicals.

[Thea]

Thanks for tagging me Markpd

I think the detolf is a good option if you're thinking of getting one, I've used it for two years and haven't had any major problems. I don't use a topper, just a mesh lid that I made. The width has never been an issue - like Mark says, the length makes up for it and they are able to run up and down it easily. The height is more of an issue, I fill 3/4 of the cage with around 10/11 inches of bedding and the other quarter with a couple of inches and their wheel/water etc..
The lid I made rests on the glass though rather than the metal poles inside the detolf that most people make their lid to rest on, so I have got another inch or so of space to fill than most.
Fitting a wheel in can be a bit of a pain though, I have an 11" wheel and that's the absolute maximum size you could fit in the detolf without a topper. And even then, I have to remove all bedding from under the wheel before putting it back in, otherwise it won't spin when I put the lid back on!

Good luck whatever you choose to do!