Aquariums

[EllisRattery]

Hi there,

I've heard lots of bad things about rats living in aquariums, the whole "Bad ventilation, algae builds up dieseases". Yes I know all of that but do you think it would be alright to keep 2 rats in a 30 gallon tank and have them out a lot and clean the cage often?

I finally found a breeder(yay!) that lives near me and she offers "starter kits" which is a really neat idea.  It's $30.00 or so Canadian for 2 rats, a cage, food, shavings and a water bowl and dish.  I'm not sure if the cage is wire but it probably is.  If it's really not okay to keep rats in a tank then I might get that.

Another thing what Martins cage is big enough for 2 rats but doesn't cost a lot?

Thanks
You can e-mail me at pretty_in_pink63@hotmail.com

[Nellybird]

Well, aquariums aren't so bad, and if they're out of it alot it shouldn't be too bad.

About the Martins cage, the 670 is just right for 2 rats, maybe even 3 if they're let out alot. Good luck with your new ratties!

[Sabriel]

Personally, I hate aquariums, because they are so hard to clean properly.  They're really heavy, and I just about break my back everytime I have to clean one.

As for Martin's cages, I have a pair of rats living very comfortably in an R-670.  That is the smallest I would go for a pair of rats.  Good luck!  

[EllisRattery]

Would the R-690 be alright for 2 rats? More expensive but I like how many levels there is.

[Nellybird]

The 690 is huge! 2 ratties would love having all that space!  

[Anmllvr731]

If you can get the 690, that would be wonderful. Last weekend I just bought a cage for my 2 babies (2 months) that is very comparable to it and they love having all that room to run (fly) around in.
The bigger you can get the better. I hate aquariums too!
Good luck

[pegc]

I have the 690 with two rats in it.....bigger is always better.
The nice thing about it is that although it's very large, it is a breeze to clean! Aquariums are very cumbersome and difficult to clean, plus you would have to do it much more often.

Also, in the summer you would have to find a cool place for it, or your rats will suffer from the greenhouse effect in a tank.
I would go for the Martin's!
P.S. Starter kits - blah! Before I found this place and I got my first rat - it also came with a starter kit that included a hamster cage, a bag of pine shavings and a bag of hamster food! Glad I found this forum.

[maryz]

Martin's can also make custom cage toppers for aquariums.  I'm having them make me some 695's to go on top of 50 gallon reptile cages.  My rats are going to love them!  

[EllisRattery]

Peg - I trust these people who I'm most liely going to get my rats from. I've met them before(the women grooms my dog), and they were very very nice and you could tell that they loved rats.

[Dearpie]

You mention shavings, I pray you're not planning to use pine or cedar shavings.  You will have some very sickly ratties.  And if you buy the martin's cage, be sure to get the powder coating, a little more expensive, but worth it so your cage won't absorb the urine smell!!!  Sounds like you're on your way to a lot of rattie fun in your near future!! Be sure to indulge us and post pictures and cute stories!!  

[island_ratpack]

Martin's can also make custom cage toppers for aquariums.  I'm having them make me some 695's to go on top of 50 gallon reptile cages.  My rats are going to love them!  

Hey! Just signed on.. I haven't even looked around much but saw this
post. How can I find out more about these Martin tank toppers?
I don't like the screen tops we have now on our 1x4ft tank.

Thanks!  

-Island_RatPack

[michiganratter]

Here's my topper. It sits on a 15-gallon tank.



It's 24x12x24 and was $65 delivered (assembled). They'll customize it however you want - floor sizes, number of ramps, doors, etc. . .

[Suebee]

How can I find out more about these Martin tank toppers?

Your best bet is to contact the company directly from their web site:

http://www.martinscages.com

[island_ratpack]

  wow, those look great, thanks!

[Nellybird]

michiganratter, I just had to say that I have the exact same plastic rat (it's named Monet)! He's occupying my 670 until the girls come this weekend  

[EllisRattery]

So those cage toppers just sit on top of your aquarium so the rats can live in both?

Guess what?? I am most likely getting a pair of rats in August!! Hopefully 2 females! I have names picked out already! Faith and Trinity for the girls and Jazz and Tango(hence my name) for the boys.

Yay!!! I feel so happy!

[mustang_grl143]

 I would not keep them in a glass cage becides mine hate it ( they go in a 40 gallon when I clean there cage outside)

[6th Happiness Rodentry]

I actually like tanks, but due to size and cost I only use them for mom's with litters and/or rats who can't live in the multistory wire cages due to handicaps (like if they are mising the use of their back legs or soemthing).  To clean large tanks I use a dustpan to easilly scoop out old bedding, wipe the glass clean then put in new bedding.  I find it a lot easier then trying to scrub a wire cage, and the other nice thing is that bedding doesn't get kicked out all over the floor!  The only draw back is yes, it must be cleaned more often then a wire cage, and its no ideal if you live ina rather hot enviroment since it will get hotter in a tank, but its not usually hot here and the cleaning schedual doesn't bother me.  IMHO whatever works best for you and your ratties, is the way to go.  

[maryz]

I really like the bigger reptile aquariums because they are so wide and shallow.  And they really are quite easy to clean.  I use suction cups to hang hammocks, toys, etc.  However, I thought my rats needed more room, and since aquariums are so darn expensive, the only way to go was UP!
By the way, Martins only makes the toppers in galvanized wire, but most cities have at least one metal shop that does custom powder coating.  Just make sure it's a non toxic coating.  Rates vary, so call around.  The Martins people are so very nice.  

[Yresim]

Bigger is always better.  I have a single rattie living in an R695 by herself (it wasn't planned that way - if she weren't contagious I'd have a second rattie in there), and she loves it.  

There is no such thing as too much space, as far as a rattie is concerned.

This huge cage cost me less than most of the smaller cages available in the pet stores in my area.  And a cage on their site was almost half the cost of a comparably-sized cage *after shipping* (it was less than half before shipping).  

Between that, and the high recommendations from my fellow posters, how could I resist getting a Martins cage?  And, honestly, I think it's one of the best buying decisions I've ever made for my rats.  Er, rat.