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Post by feathers on Dec 24, 2011 0:42:14 GMT
Hello, questions about a possible new cage. I am getting a few gift cards towards a 4x4 ikea expedit shelving unit, but recently began thinking about the possibility of turning part of it into a cage. I have seen many hamster cages done well with these, thought I'm wondering if it can stand up to degu abuse as well. If I decide to add a degu cage into it, I'll be getting the 5x5. www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60208648/The plan would be to convert the two bottom rows of shelving into a two level cage for my two boys. The vertical panels can be removed to create a long run, and it is still very sturdy. The dimensions are pretty ok, but I should probably let you all know that my boys are free roaming when I'm at home, in my room. Well, my older one is, but my new one is still in training for that step. They would essentially be in it just to sleep, or stay in while I'm out. It would be a lot better than what they currently sleep in:  My main concerns are urine and chewing. Does anyone have a cage with the same surfaces as this kind of ikea furniture? I am wondering if the coating already on the shelves is good enough, or if I should lay down some tile or something. Vents would be added to the sides, and from what I can tell people are recommending the same glue used in tanks to seal cut edges etc. The fronts would be hinged glass with some wooden ledges added to catch the bedding, like in a usual DIY cage. Both floors would be lit by the LED strips you can also find at ikea. Any comments are welcome, I have already built a cage from scratch for my girls, which you can see in the How to Build a Degu Cage thread. |
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Post by smithomatic on Dec 24, 2011 16:02:38 GMT
Your current vivarium is definately too small. You do need to look into adaquete caging before you buy degus, even if they are roaming free in your room. Where is the hay for them to forage in? This is a situation you need to sort... and fast! Sorry if I seem too forward but I really beleive the smallest size for an appropriate tempory cage is the thickets cage. You need to chance this now!
what is the depth of the ikea shelving unit?
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Post by feathers on Dec 24, 2011 21:32:50 GMT
I am already aware that it is too small. My other degu cage is this, but now has tons of hammocks:  My degus have a separate hay area. Like I stated, they only sleep in here. There is also a pile of hay behind the wheel, you can sort of see it in the picture. They have other toys outside of their cage as well. The depth is just about 15 inches I believe. I have owned degus for a long while now, and I do know how to take care of them. This new cage is not for more degus, it is for the two in the picture, so I'm not sure what you mean by looking into caging before buying them. EDIT: also I went to check the dimensions of the thickets cage, and my tank is actually bigger than it already, save for height. I would never consider a thickets cage, it almost looks dangerous. |
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 24, 2011 22:11:51 GMT
Hello Feathers ! Glad to see you back on here !
I believe there has been a little misunderstanding here...but to go back to your questions. There are many cases of degu cages being build from IKEA furniture. The depth of the book case is small, but with two full rows of five panels at their disposal, I would indeed think this to be suitable for two. It would be giving your degus two levels measuing 185x40 cm.
As for using the silicone glue used in aquariums, I would actually recommend against this. The main reason being that silicone does not stick or hold onto wood or plastic like it does to glass.
It would eventually come loose.
IKEA uses particle woods in the construction of their cabinets and shelves. This has a very low tolerance to water or liquid and will puff up/bloat if soaked. I am not sure what kind of finish was used on this book shelf, but adding tiles is defenitely a good idea !
The main concern I have with this enclosure would be proper ventilation. Even with ventilation grids on each side I would be concerned...especially if glass is going to be used to cover the front. Usually we recommend adding ventilation grids as support for the open cage top. But I do not see how this would be possible here, since you mentioned using the two bottom rows for the degus.
Have you already thought about a way to remedy this ?
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 24, 2011 22:13:24 GMT
The Ikea unit has excellent length, and the length is probably enough to balance out the shortfall in the depth area. However, I am wondering about the removal of the vertical panels. You say the shelves are strong enough to withstand removing the vertical panels, but I don't know if I would chance that. If you put weight of any kind on the upper shelves, I think they would begin to sag and potentially endanger any degus living beneath them. What about possibly removing only a portion of each panel, and so maintaining the support they give to the horizontal shelves? Another question . . . are the horizontal shelves not placed and supported using those tiny metal plugs? If they are, you wouldn't have anything to hang your horizontal shelves on if you remove the vertical pannels.
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Post by feathers on Dec 24, 2011 23:16:33 GMT
Yes, I'm on almost every day to check out any new cages. It's very fun to see what everyone comes up with.  Thanks for reassuring me on the size, I was pretty sure the length would make up for the depth but I wanted to be sure. Do you have any other recommendations for a sealer-style glue? I only thought of aquarium silicone because it seems kind of common in the construction of hamster cages. Anything that may act similar is fine. I was actually thinking more about ventilation, and I was thinking about not completely covering the front with glass, but rather leaving a gap of maybe 1 or 2 inches at the top, small enough so that the goos can't get out should they climb up but big enough to have a good air flow along the length of the rows. I would cover the top of the glass in the rough edge glass protectors you can buy should they try to grab it. I am still doing a bit of thinking but I'm sure I can come up with something. I think I will be cutting the panels into large arches instead, and leaving a couple on each level. Or perhaps find a stronger wood to do that with and drill my own holes for the metal plugs. My older boy doesn't chew but the younger one still nibbles on new things, and I wouldn't want him giving the arches a try. I hadn't thought about the metal plugs, thanks for reminding me! |
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Post by Maravilla on Dec 27, 2011 9:35:43 GMT
Length is great with about 175 cm (inside). Depth is another question. For me, this would be too less as there are always things which are bigger and wouldn't fit in the cage. In my cages, I would have problems with the labyrinths (40x42 cm; of course they could be smaller, but my degus enjoy them as they are) and the running plates (diameter 45 cm). Besides, I strongly believe that my degus (not very tame) like the idea of having a bigger distance between me and them.
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Post by fred on Dec 27, 2011 21:23:28 GMT
I think that with this length a depth of 40cm is acceptable. While Maravilla has made some valid points, I guess these will be less of an issue with your boys. Nevertheless I wonder whether there is a specific reason you have chosen Expedit. In Germany, IKEA Pax is used for degu cages and would seem more suitable to me. Just a thought.
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Post by feathers on Dec 28, 2011 2:10:59 GMT
None of the toys/houses I have are too big for it as of now, and if I need anything specific I can probably make it. My older boy is very tame and will often seek me out when he's running around, either to climb on me or sit with me. I'm not incredibly worried about distance, but that is a good concern. I didn't seek out furniture specifically for a degu cage, rather I was planning to get this shelf and then decided I might get the bigger one and try and build a cage into it. This was just to test the waters and see if my idea would actually work. |
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