This seems to be a popular, and oftentimes hot-topic on the forum here, so let’s take an in-depth look at some of the features both of these housing options offer, and let YOU decide which is better.

Let’s start with a tank…

(HoppingHammy’s tank set up for her hamster, Creampuff)

PROS:

• Clear visibility
• Chew/escape proof
• Elegant to display

CONS:

• Heavy
• Breakable
• Expensive

To elaborate on some of these points, a tank can be a very beautiful piece to display in your room, and is especially great for those who enjoy taking photos, since the glass is so clear. They come in a variety of sizes to best suit the space you have, though the bigger you get, the heavier it is to lift…which could result in a crack if you aren’t careful moving and cleaning it.

Most tanks are just plain and simple, but the United Kingdom sells a brand called “Perfecto” that comes with permanently attached glass shelves. This can be good to add more room for toys and give climbing opportunities, but might also be a detriment and chew up precious floor space…not to mention it might make cleaning more awkward too.

The price, in US$ for a tank (plain with no shelves) and lid combo, averages around $25 for a 10 gallon and $45 for a 20 gallon long. Given the fact that you buy a solid, mesh cover with locking clips, a tank is virtually escape-proof for those who might have an extra naughty “Houdini”.

When compared to any plastic or wire cages on the market, it is a bargain considering the amount of floor space you have, but when compared to the price of a bin, can drain your pocketbook much more.

So let’s look at a bin now…

(wiffy’s bin set up for her hamster, Neko)

PROS:

• Cheap (need I say more?)
• Customizable
• Lightweight

CONS:

• Harder to view hamster
• Can look a bit cheesy
• Not completely chew/escape proof (unless made correctly)

For those who are on a budget, but wish to give their hamster/s as much room as possible, a bin is the way to go. The amount of floor space you can give, for the price, is probably the #1 advantage of these, in my opinion, as well as the fact you can customize them to suit your needs. Shelves, or smaller shoe-box sized bins, can be added in and bolted to the sides, tubes can go up and around the perimeter, or you can just leave it plain for an all-across, one level. You can also add on smaller bins and connect them via tubes as well as create a double-decker apartment.

Keep in mind, though, that most bins are slightly frosted and can make viewing your hamster a bit difficult, and depending on how you construct it can also mean the difference of whether your hamster escapes or not. Some hamsters, given the time, might chew their way out if they find a ridge or drilled hole to sink their teeth into. It’s best to find a bin with smooth, rounded edges and keep drilled holes out of their reach if your hamster is prone to chewing.

All-in-all, bins can be a spacious, and affordable housing choice.

A final thought to leave you with…

At the end of the day, it’s not about which housing is better of the two, it’s about finding what is most suitable for YOU and for your hamster’s needs. Debate solved!

Up next? Comparisons between wire and plastic cages. Stay tuned…

NOTE:

To construct a bin, check out this pinned topic which has helpful links on construction: http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27040

To view a chart showing popular aquarium sizes and dimensions, click this link: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_sizes.php

This week’s edition of Featured Hamster Home features Munchkins’ home for her hamster Sherbet. Munchkins is using a UK brand of hamster cage called Gabber Lux (Note: not available in the US currently).

I’d admit it, what attracted me first to this set up are the super cheery colours and cute, compact design. In my opinion, it’s ideal for those who are looking for a more compact set up, and more suitable for singly-housed dwarf hamster. It is a good alternative for dwarf hamster owners who want ready-made commercial cages (versus DIY bins or modular expansion kits that takes up more space).

Hamster Hideout (HH): What are the parts that part up the entire set-up, & estimated costs?

Munchkins (M):

- Gabber Lux cage - £28 (bought at local pet store)
- “Cushy tunnel” - £2.25 (sherbet loves it!)
- Wheel - £2.99!
- Rotastak water bottle - £1.99
- Silent Spinner - FOC (gift from friend)

Total: Approximately £39 (including other accessories).

HH: What are the dimensions of the main cage?

M:

Height - 11 inches or 28cm
Width - 22 inches or 55cm
Depth - 15 inches or 40 cm

HH: What are your reason(s) for choosing this set up?

M: I chose the cage mainly because I wanted a large cage to suit my dwarf hamster - Sherbet, and I didn’t want to have to make a bin cage, as I needed a new cage quickly, (Sherbet and Cookie absolutely hated each other and I needed to separate them as soon as I could.) I settled for this cage because of the attractive layout, large size and low price!

HH: What are the pros and cons of using this set up for Sherbet?

M: The only problems I’ve had with it are that the water bottle and wheel supplied with it were truly awful, the water bottle leaked everywhere and wouldn’t stay in place, and the wheel was really small, didn’t turn smoothly ( it wasn’t even properly round :|), and was quite sharp in places!

Having said that, It’s super easy to clean out and looks great, plus it’s a fun cage for Sherbet - with the little ladders, wheel, toys and spiral tube. It’s great watching her whiz up the tubes and down the ladders!
I also found that it is really easy to get Sherbet out - the door is easy to open but she can’t reach it to escape! I think that it really is the best cage I’ve had for a dwarf hamster, it’s very durable and has lasted for the past two years!

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Related Links::

Proud of your hamster’s cage?

You can submit your hamster homes photos via HH Forum or Flickr

Hamster Hideout is pleased to present, its first winner of the prestigious ‘Ham Art of the Month’ award!

Total Entries: 9

Judges: Cloudpuff, Maremoto, wiffy

Congratulations to mollldoll and her excellent winning entry - “pc background of my hammies”. The artwork is simply … incredible!

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Credits: HH Designer Cloudpuff for making the award certificate

See past and present winners, at the HH Hall of Fame

Psst … Want to win? Check out the current contests at the forum

Hamster Hideout is pleased to present, its first winner of the prestigious ‘Hamster of the Month‘ award!

Total Entries: 27

Judges: Bianca, Cheeky, Dezilu, dusty, HoppingHammy, jamtheman, Meowmies, ranchgal, shara83, TriAngel

Here’s an exclusive interview with the winning hamster, Chipmunk.

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1) Hello Chipmunk, you have won Hamster Hideout’s first ‘Hamster of the Month’ Contest! How are you feeling now?
Well, I must say, it is pretty unexpected. I’m surprised the judges went for an old guy like me! Especially since there were so many others! It truly is an honor. My roommate is a little jealous, but he’ll get over it. I’m not exactly sure what HH is, I think it is some sort of entertainment place the giant creature goes to. Nevertheless, I am quite excited!

2) Tell us more about yourself
Okay! I’m a little over a year old. I currently live in a large box with clear, shiny walls. I have a pretty easy life! I love to sleep, especially under my wheel. There is another hamster who lives with me, a little white fellow. He’s a little rowdy, and secretly, I think he’s not too bright. But don’t tell him that! We get along fairly well, but he can get a little bossy sometimes, and takes all the sunflower seeds for himself, the brat. I have had many happy times in my life, but there was a sad time once. I used to have an old roommate, who was very kind, always listened to me. But there was something wrong with him. He often sneezed and coughed. One day, I woke up to check on him. I went over to see him, but for some reason he wouldn’t wake up. I tried to move him, but he wouldn’t. The human came, and said some words to him, but he still wouldn’t move. I was so confused. The human let out a strange noise, it sounded so sad. She took him out of my home. I never saw him again. The human stayed in it’s room that day, making the same noise, yelling, shreiking. I lived all alone for weeks. I got cold, nobody to huddle with. It was too quiet, too lonely. Then, a young hamster was plopped into my home, and I have lived with him even since. He has a wee bit of an attitude, but he is quite entertaining!

3) Tell us more about your owner, Chippy
My owner…? Oh! You mean the big creature who feeds us. I don’t belong to anybody! I am an individual! Humph. Well, it is a large animal, and is quite honestly the weirdest thing I have EVER seen. It is huge, and has no hair! And these strange paws with no claws and long spindly things. Bizarre, eh? I think it is female, but I’m not sure. It is the one who gave me my name, and is a fairly kind creature. What are they called? Oh right, humans. Once or twice a day, it opens the ceiling and pours in food! I was terrified the first time. How would you like it if the roof to your house was removed by a giant creature? But now, it is my favorite time of the day. It also likes to watch us sleep, which is completely unnerving. Waking to see giant eyes staring at you? Eeek. Sometimes, it takes me out, and lets me run around it’s home. It strokes my fur, which feels sooo good. It lives with a family who likes to pet me, although I’m not very fond of the small one. It squeezes me a bit too hard.

4) What are your hobbies?
Well, sleeping, mostly. I love when the human gives us this soft, paper material to shred. It makes everything so comfy. My wheel is my favorite toy. There are two of them in my home, but my roommate claims the blue one and I get the purple. I don’t know what blue and purple are, but that’s what the human says they are. It calls them “colors”. What in the world are colors? Anyway, whenever I’m bored, I go for a long jog. I also like to have the other hamster groom me, especially on that spot on my neck where I can’t reach. When the human appears, I go over to the glass to see it. I love to see it move around, it is so cute to watch! I feel sorry that it is stuck in that home of it’s when I get this big fancy home, but I guess it doesn’t mind. I’m big on climbing things, especially that strange plastic block. It has many holes, and changes often. I think the human changes it into different shapes. I wonder how. Back in my old home, a smaller cage with wires on the side, I would always climb the wires to get to the upper levels instead of taking the tubes. This always made the human shake her head for some reason. But there are no wires in my new home, so I just climb my toys.

5) What are your favorite foods?
Favorite? Hmm, there are so many! I love it when I am fed these strange seeds. They taste like grain, and somehow, they snap and crackle in my cheeks! I think they are called “rice crisples” or something. I also occasionally get this large biscuit. It is shaped like a bone, and is very crunchy! I use it to grind down my teeth when they get too long. From my regular food bowl, I love the peanuts and sunflower seeds, though the human often takes most of them for herself. How greedy! I have to be quick to my food, or the other hamster runs over, stuffs the food, and runs off! He should respect his elders, the little punk. My favorite vegetable? Probably carrots. I like the noise they make when I chew them! I also like cucumber for when I am thirsty.

6) Anything else do you want to tell HH-sters?
HH-sters? Hmm…
“Hey human! What are HH-sters?”
“Chippy, stop squeaking, I’m trying to sleep!”

Oh, right. Humans sleep at nighttime. That’s really weird, isn’t it? Well, I’m going to assume HH-sters are more people. You guys listen up good, ya hear?

Make sure to feed us more! That skinflint only fills up our bowl halfway, and takes most the sunflower seeds to herself! Do you humans have no souls?! Also, let us out more! There are such interesting sights in the human world, even if it is all weird. Also, make sure you play with us. Even with a roommate, it gets lonely in here sometimes. And don’t let small humans squeeze us! It makes my eyes bulge out. And please, please, please, don’t wake us up when we are asleep. Do you know how long it takes to make a nest? And to have it all messed up? Yeesh. Play with us when we are awake, please!

Gosh, all this talking is making me so tired.
I…….think…….I’ll……..close……..my….
*zzzzzzz*

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Credits: HH Designer Cloudpuff for making the award certificate

See past and present winners, at the HH Hall of Fame

Psst … Want to win? Check out the current contests at the forum