What Size Fish Tank Is Good For A Hamster?
A hamster is a cute little rodent that requires less attention than other pets. Regardless, the problem lies in caring for this pet. If you pet a hamster, there will be no shortage of instructions on how you can pet them. You can keep them in a cage or fish tank as the first step of proper care.
But, what size fish tank is good for a hamster? You have to consider the space rather than the height of the tank. If you have a large hamster such as the Syrian breed, it requires more space than dwarf hamsters. Make sure the floor space is 480 square inches or more for a large-size hamster. And 360 square inches for a dwarf hamster.
That tiny information is just a brief of this article. Let’s continue reading about the appropriate tank size for a hamster with other essential tips on petting a hamster.
What Size Fish Tank Is Good For A Hamster?
You are not using a fish tank for keeping fish that requires length and height for swimming. Here, you need a decent height according to the hamster size but enough floor space to let it roam with comfort. To ensure proper care of your hamster, get the largest tank possible.
However, everything has a limit, and you should know the minimum size of keeping this pet. You need at least 12 inches X 40 inches of floor space for a Syrian hamster. A Syrian hamster grows up to 6 inches long; 40 inches long will be enough for the movement. Therefore, you should consider getting a 20 gallon hamster tank.
But the required tank size is slightly smaller for the dwarf hamster. So, what size tank is good for a dwarf hamster? It requires at least 12 inches X 36 inches of space for comfortable living.
As for the height, You should consider it less than a foot. I’d prefer to keep it eight to ten inches. While fish need space for swimming around, a hamster cannot do that. Thereupon, this height is enough to ensure enough comfort for them.
Keep in mind that I have mentioned the minimum shelter size for a hamster. If you keep the food storage and stuff in the tank, you need to extend the space for comfortable living. Some countries banned selling hamster cages less than 40 inches long and 20 inches wide. And the same thing goes for the fish tank too. In addition, it would be better for their health to let them have more than enough space for living.
When you are captivating a wild animal, you should consider giving them the closest environment as it used to live. For example, a Syrian hamster has more than four miles of territory. So, give them as large as possible, but 36 inches is the minimum size.
Fish Tank Instead Of A Cage, Why?
Instead of keeping it in a cage, you are considering a fish tank for a hamster. The reason lies with the safety precautions. Wire cages are easy for hamsters to climb up and find a perfect hole to escape. Often they get injured by the metal wires. On the other hand, tanks are made of glass or plastic, and the hamster can not climb on that smooth wall.
Because of the glass or clear plastic, the visibility is better than in a cage. So, you can monitor your pet better than captivating in a cage.
Do you have other pets in the house? For example, if you have a cat or dog, it is your duty to keep the hamster safe from them. And a fish tank is the perfect protection against dogs and cats to ensure safety.
How To Prepare A Fish Tank For Your Hamster?
You are ensuring your pet’s safety by putting it in a fish tank. Now, let’s make it appropriate for them. First, choose the spacious tank to let them move comfortably.
Ventilation
I already discussed the fish tank size for a hamster. Now let’s talk about the ventilation. The entire tank is made of glass but the top. And you should use a mesh top which is lighter but provides enough ventilation.
If the tank has enough height, the hamster will never reach the top. So, their wire cage is not an issue here. However, you must use strong wire to maintain safety from other animals. Moreover, it needs to continue the airflow for comfortable breathing.
Bedding
Making perfect bedding is the best solution for giving them a comfortable space to sleep and absorb their urine. There are various bedding materials available; choose the best one. In this case, I prefer wood shavings. Get some of those according to the tank size. Use at least five inches of the thickness of bedding to make it a comfortable living space for a hamster.
How To Clean Hamster Tank?
Keeping hamsters in a dirty place can cause various diseases. Therefore, you need to clean the tank regularly to ensure the health and safety of your favorite pet. However, there is no particular cycle of cleaning the tank. It depends on the tank size and bedding materials. If you use thick bedding, it will absorb urine more and extend the cleaning period.
When should you clean the tank? It would be best if you cleaned it before it started to smell. Usually, cleaning it once a week is the best decision. Also, you can do it after ten days in some cases. Here is how you can clean your hamster tank.
- Remove the topper of the tank, then move your hamster to a safe place.
- Then, remove all the accessories such as the water bottle, exercise wheel, food bowl, etc.
- Now, dump all the beddings.
- After that, clean the tank properly. Cleaning a glass tank is not a tough job at all.
- Next, let it dry and make it livable again.
- Again make perfect bedding using the bedding material.
- Now put back all the accessories in the tank.
- Let’s return your hamster to the tank.
- Finally, close the topper cage.
FAQs
Let’s see the answers to the popular questions regarding using a fish tank for hamster habitat.
Is A 40 Gallon Tank Good For A Hamster?
It is a large size tank with enough floor space. Yes, 40-gallon tank is suitable for a hamster to live comfortably. On top of that, it will be pretty spacious for a hamster.
Can A Hamster Live In A 20 Gallon Tank?
Yes, a hamster can live in it. However, this is the most diminutive size for a hamster. If you have a Syrian hamster, this is not the ideal size at all. However, it is a better option for a dwarf hamster.
Is A 30 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Hamster?
Yes, A 30-gallon tank is an ideal size for a hamster to live in comfort. You can keep the water bottle, exercise wheel, and food bowl comfortably with enough space for sleeping.
Conclusion
That is all regarding what size fish tank is good for a hamster. Instead of the tank volume, consider the floor space while using it for a hamster. And use proper bedding to let them make the nest where they can sleep.
Moreover, clean the tank regularly to avoid diseases. You can keep your hamster in a cage instead of a fish tank. But the tank is a better option, especially for the breeding season. Since they are tiny rodents, baby hamsters can easily pass through the cage that you surely do not want.
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