Gerbil Basics- How I Built My Tank Topper

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Gerbil Basics- How I Built My Tank Topper

Рет қаралды 8,481

The Gerbil Vine

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 57

@clw51 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for this video, I got ideas from you for building my topper for my 40 gallon tank. My son and I used poplar wood and I did use the same wire cage topper. It ended up very nice and the gerbils love it. Thanks for doing this video. I did fix the wire cage to the wooden floor differently. I just used small bungee cords to hold the wire topper to the wooden floor. It works fine. And It is easier to remove the topper in two pieces.

@mindblock3928 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this tutorial! I managed to find the Prevue cage second hand for $70 so I'm going to try to build this tomorrow. I hope they like it!

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

That's amazing, and omg such a great price, its so damn expensive new ! I'm so happy for you & happy building! Also, you're most welcome!

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

I hope this discussion was helpful to those interested. I'm sorry I don't have footage of the actual building 😔.

@doublegulpcupy 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much I am finnished with the project and I copeid it 1 to 1 and the gerbil love it thank you so much!

@PeanutTheBoySquirrel 2 жыл бұрын

Very good information about you topper, your gerbil are so adorable. great share friend

@ashleythrift5653 7 ай бұрын

Awesome video thank you

@GoryionB Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. It's insane that there aren't ANY decent gerbil cages in the states. I've seen some that look ok, but they're just in the UK. Ours were chewing through everything. The only thing I noticed is that you listed 2x4's and I found it easier to buy 2x2's so I wouldn't have to split them. And My topper is a little smaller, because that's what I could find. Thanks!

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

So happy you were able to make a tank topper ! The cage situation in North America is quite appalling, hopefully more people will research about what gerbils require and see that what pet stores sell aren't acceptable.

@emilyanderson3072 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all your videos! Can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers.

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

Aww, that's so nice, thank you ! :)

@PetConnectionInternational 2 жыл бұрын

Damn, two videos at once, you're really going for it today! 😅 I'd love to use the prevue for my tank but in the UK it costs £233! 😱 I wish companies would make it easier to get their products in different countries, I can't get niteangel stuff over here either 😥

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

Have you tried changing your Amazon location in settings ? I know Emiology uses the Nite Angel Wheel for her mice ( UK based ) but I'm not sure how she got it. I agree many things should be available to all, its not fair. Price inflation is a real issue too. It seems everything I end up linking in my videos increased in price. The prevue price is currently outrageous. It almost doubled from when I purchased it. Absolutely mental.

@PetConnectionInternational 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine no I haven't tried that, I'll need to take a look and see if I can figure out how to source their stuff, thanks for the tip 😊 as for the stupidly expensive topper, I think I'll just have to make my own 😅

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

@@PetConnectionInternational np at all! For me, I go into the app and go to settings and click on the Canadian flag. It gives me the option to shop from America, UK, Germany, etc. I got the nite angel stuff off of Amazon America and it saved me almost $100. The wheel was double on Amazon Canada.

@PetConnectionInternational 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine thanks for that! It looks like the prevue is out of stock, but it'll definitely come in handy for sourcing niteangel things 😊

@victorc4_1234 2 жыл бұрын

@@PetConnectionInternational this is adorable 🥰 my two favorite gerbil teachers are friends! Bex and Heather😊

@aayro 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm gonna ask for all the supplies once I get back from my vacation :) my gerbils currently have a cage just barely over the bare minimum in the US (their cage is about 500 square inches, dont know exactly how big) so I really need to upgrade . Once I do that I'll feel much better about my gerbs housing situation lol. I'll also be able to fit a bigger wheel in their cage, so that'll be nice

@HelloWorld-ct7ec 3 ай бұрын

Hi love the video i was wondering do they ever bite at the metal cage since I want to get one but scared of them escaping

@TheGerbilVine 3 ай бұрын

Hey! Thanks for the video love. They sometimes will bite at the bars, very infrequently, and they don't have strong enough teeth to chew through the metal.

@ailsablack5452 3 ай бұрын

Hiya. Just wondering how yo cut the Melamine in the middle? Love your videos by the way! I’m currently getting a large topper for my tank as it’s only 26L and hopefully I can make the whole thing burrowing space for them!

@TheGerbilVine 3 ай бұрын

Hey! I cute the wood using a handheld saw. You could use a jigsaw or something similar, just created an outline and saw it out! Sounds like you've got a great mindset going into gerbil owning. They are lucky to have you!

@jemmalemmaa 2 жыл бұрын

Hi :) thank you for this really useful video. My tank is around the same size as yours, but now everything is in there it doesn't feel as large as I was expecting. Sorry if this is a silly question, but is the wood somehow glued to the glass top, or can you remove it still to clean underneath? Or do you just reach through the hole of the topper to clean below? Thanks :).

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

Hey! The topper is removable from the tank. It would be very difficult to clean otherwise! A topper was a game changer for me as I could fill the bedding up 18 inches without compromising their floor space for a wheel, sand, etc.

@jemmalemmaa 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine thanks for your reply and thank you for sharing this video, it is really helpful. I appreciate the list of materials you provided too, as I am no DIY expert 😂.

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

@@jemmalemmaa no problem at all, thanks for your kind words :) I am no DIY queen myself lol !

@doublegulpcupy 9 ай бұрын

Hello again I was reserching this and spurce boards seems like a great choice! but is melamine safe I searched it and it sayd melimene might contain a harmfull gas, Cause in my past gerbs cage they fought cause they dident like somthing in there i was wondering if it could be the melamine because my past omlete cage was coated in it or maybe they where allergic to the timmothy hay? Also what monitor do you use in your cage :D i see it on the wall and I was wondering thanks so much!

@TheGerbilVine 9 ай бұрын

Hey! I have never personally had any issues with the melamine type of wood and my 4 gerbils that have used the topper. They don't chew the floor as it is flat and would be an awkward angle for them. I like it because the urine and poop don't stain or absorb, it just wipes right off. Always do your own research and only do what you feel is best for your own gerbils. The camera i use is a wyze v3 pet monitor

@doublegulpcupy 9 ай бұрын

@TheGerbilVine hello 👋 I was wondering if the wood in the melamine is safe just incase they chew and the melamine itself thanks!

@TheGerbilVine 9 ай бұрын

@@doublegulpcupy hi, sorry it took me a couple days to respond. It's up to you if you want to use it or not. My gerbils haven't chewed the flat surface which is what I use it for, the topper floor. I've heard from a Victoria Rachel video that it can be harmful if chewed and ingested.

@TheDaisyNova 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video!! I have been going nuts for months trying to find the right size topper. I recently found your videos and you've inspired me so much!! I will definitely need to make some sort of platform for the wheel because I think it will be too tall to fit inside the topper. I think if I hang the wheel upside down and tie the base to the top of the cage, it will have more space bc part of it can go thru the opening of the base! If that makes sense lol Do you think the melamine wood would still be ok if my little dudes are avid chewers? I'm worried they will get sick if its ingested. I'm totally going to replicate your topper set up. Thanks so much again! You're amazing. Much love from Texas!

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! I'm glad we were able to help or inspire your own topper dreams :) For the melamine wood, it depends how its being used. As a topper, my boys aren't really able to chew it based on the awkward angles they would have to stretch or contort to. If you're worried, you could always use birch or aspen or oak or something, and coat it with non toxic water repellant coating so the urine doesn't absorb.

@TheDaisyNova 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine thank you so much! I'll look into those other options as well!! Can't wait to work on this project in my next couple days off!

@wyattowen492 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I'm about to build one of these. Have your gerbils ever tried chewing on the melamine sheet? I've heard mixed things about how safe melamine is. Obviously it doesn't look like it's been an issue for your gerbils, but I was wondering if you had any thoughts on that.

@TheGerbilVine 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck building ! The use of melamine wood does have mixed reviews. In my own experience, the gerbils have not chewed it. Additionally, I will say I wouldn't use it for furniture or a house in their enclosure, which they would have easy access to chew. But for a flat floor of a topper, it works well and is an uncomfortable angle for them to chew on. It is a controversial wood to use, and comes down to your comfort level and preference. You could always use a different type of wood and coat it with pet safe varnish.

@janamcghee8143 Жыл бұрын

I’ve been looking at the $150 tank topper on Amazon but now I’m worried it doesn’t provide enough ventilation in the bottom tank. But since they are deep burrowers is that really an issue??

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

I haven't had an issue. And I drilled extra holes and cut out a good chunk of the floor for them, if you don't fill the bedding all the way up it gives them more room for air.

@janamcghee8143 Жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine you making a larger cut out and drilling the holes is what makes me wonder if the 40 gallon tank topper on Amazon provides enough ventilation. It only has an opening where the ramp is located. There is also a tunnel going down and I read one comment saying to remove it. Idk why.

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

@@janamcghee8143 are you talking about the prevue 528 or a different cage ? I find it perfect for my gerbils, but if on the fence maybe research a couple options. I also did not use the ramp that came with it. If its different than the prevue 528, maybe put a link in your comment so I can see exactly what tank topper you're talking about :).

@janamcghee8143 Жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine thank you so much! I’ve never had gerbils (nor hamsters) so I’ve been trying to do tons of research so they don’t get sick and are happy. I appreciate your advice.

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

@@janamcghee8143 that makes you the best kind of owner! If you need anything else just send me a message :)

@aliciaellis5055 Жыл бұрын

Do you know how tall the topper is without the plastic bottom? Will an 11in wheel fit inside?

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

Hey! Without the plastic part my topper measures 11.5 inches high with just the cage. I have a 12 inch wheeln in there but it's on a platform. I tried to put the 11 inch nite angel wheel in there but it was too tall with the stand so I had to use a platform.

@Pinkcandy777 Жыл бұрын

Awesome x do they make noise chewing bars at night tho?

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

Luckily no.

@Pinkcandy777 Жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine phew x just bought 2 burmese ones soon excited xx

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

@@Pinkcandy777 awww, Burmese gerbils are so cute!

@Pinkcandy777 Жыл бұрын

@@TheGerbilVine ty x will they always stay nocturnal tho?

@TheGerbilVine Жыл бұрын

@@Pinkcandy777 gerbils are actually diurnal! This means they go through many awake and sleep cycles, they may seem active some parts of the night but not the whole night. Unfortunately you can't train them to sleep the night, they kind of have their own circadian rhythm. They like to be awake, nap, repeat. All day and night :) .