RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Wed Jun 25, 2003 10:42 am

I used to have rats and before, i had a (i wanna say) 20 or so gallon tank for Ruby and Venus and a 10 gallon tank for Maia (i tried to have them all live together but it never went well) and i would keep them in the same cages, so when i cleaned it i only really would spray them down with water and wipe them clean and it would suit fine because i wasnt too worried about trying to get totaly rid of an unfamiliar smell of an outsider (get it?? -ha- am i making ANY sense?) Well, recently my brother gave me a 10 gallon tank he used for his last rat and im going to clean it tomorrow, and i was wondering what i should clean it with... do people usually use products like window cleaner? or is it something else?? Plus, i am definutely getting 2 little ratties and i am wondering if for a cage situation i could use a 10 gallon tank, and have an addition (a wire cage without its base that looks like it too has a volume of 10 gallons, it has different levels for them to climb to) and have it proped on top of the tank.... i did this with Maia and it worked well cause she was a climber and would climb around the wire part all day and sleep in the bottom of the tank.. but would it be suitable for 2 rats?? im just wondering cause this would be an easier solution for me having them at college because it would be easier to keep versus the 20 gallon tank (believe it or not) ..its basically a matter of being too heavy and too wide.. with my alternative it would be easily carried and taller than it is wider, and would fit under a lofted bed quite nice and descreetly... any advice will be much appreciated.

thanks!!

-lisa

Wed Jun 25, 2003 11:01 am

A ten gallon tank is FAR TOO SMALL FOR A RAT!
I'll let the others deal in their share.
Rule of thumb: Two square feet per rat! Ventilation is lessened with tanks.

_________________
-=Stanza=- [Riding shoulder is:]
Sugar [Magnolias], Peanut, Willow, and Scarlet [Begonias].
This stanza is my lament. This world is my imprisonment. I know I can never be...
I know I'll never be free.
The cut that never heals...

Wed Jun 25, 2003 11:50 am

I think that's fine
It also depends on whether you're prepared to let them run around freely when you're at home.I understand how tough it can be to keep your pets at college! other people have rated the tank, with a cage attached to the top, as very cool, that way you get the best of both worlds. I'd personally suggest a cage, simply because its easier to move around. But, when it gets cold, a tank will provide much more insulation and warmth. So I suppose its weighing up the pros and cons. Best of luck with you ratties.As for cleaning, I'd use a mild detergent or a solution of bleach diluted in water. Be sure to rinse well! I'm sure that others will give you some (actual)helpful advice, not snotty comments.
:*)
Asia Trout Slap

Wed Jun 25, 2003 12:41 pm

I just looked it up and a 10 gallon tank is only 1.34 cubic feet. You need a absolute bare minimum of 2 cubic foot per rat. Plus rats like to climb and tanks don't offer much in the way of climbing.

So your 20 gallon tank is only 2.68 cubic feet and it should be 4 cubic feet for two rats! The rule with single rats is they should be in a tank/cage that's big enough to hold two rats anyway. Plus the cleaning of tanks IS a nightmare, and rats really need air to circulate around their homes - which they won't get in a tank.

Try and see if you can get hold of an indoor rabbit cage (and maybe sell the tanks to someone who has goldfish or a gerbil to make some money back) - get a cage with a plastic base and a plastic coated wire top. Or look at the Martin's cages. Both will be MUCH easier to clean, and big enough for your rats.
I dunno how big your rats are, but girls need a LOT of room to run about and play in and bys, well, boys are big and do need a big space too. Please reconsider your cage set-up. It'll be nicer for your rats and much easier for you on cage cleaning day (see? everybody wins!)

Stanza - right sentiment, but harsh criticism will get you - nowhere...

Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:37 pm

I've never used a tank, except as temporary accommodation when one of mine is post surgery and I don't want her to climb, but 10 gallons does sound quite small. I'm not sure whether it will still be too small when you have the wire addition on the top though. I have to admit to a strong preference for wire cages, myself.

As for cleaning, I use a disinfectant called Virkon (Pet Virkon, actually, in case there are different formulations of it). It doesn't smell too strong, it's safe and it is supposed to kill most disease causing bacteria.

_________________
Linda and the RMDs

Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Wed Jun 25, 2003 2:39 pm

I use virkon very very occasionally. I used to use it all the time, but i've switched to washing up liquid and hot water - rinisng well of course - and my rats seem none the worse for it! I have a lot of cages kicking about in our house/garage. If I'm putting a cage into sorage, then I'll clean it with virkon, same as if a rat's been sick or if I buy a cage secondhand - very important!

But plenty of hot water and detergent, and leave it to soak for a long while. Then rinse very very well. I love the indoor rabbit cages, they are so easy to chuck in the bath or shower.

Wed Jun 25, 2003 3:12 pm

I use Savlon and lots of hot water to clean my cages - it was recommended by a vet as being suitable for small animals (unlike TCP), but I don't know if it's UK only. You could use a weak bleach solution, but make sure you rinse it off very, very well because it's nasty stuff.

The 10gall tank is too small unless you can add a lot of cage space on the top. My favourite cages for not creating a mess are indoor rabbit cages, the kind that have very deep plastic bases, then a metal cage on top - the rats can still climb the sides then. I wouldn't use a tank for anything except ill rats or very young kittens, personally - but I suppose it depends on how much your rats come out - remember most rats will spend most of their time in their cage, so you want to make it a good place for them to be.

Wed Jun 25, 2003 3:23 pm

I'm using washing up liquid at the mo, but when I can get hold of it I use Cascade disinfectant for birds since it specifically says on the bottle that it kills bacteria and it doesn't contain phenols. I personally wouldn't use like window cleaner because you won't know that it's safe for small animals.

_________________
A-M and the 3 roan lads - Neo, Pip(squeak) & Wes

Gone but never forgotten: Riz & Shearer

Wed Jun 25, 2003 10:44 pm

thanks for the advice! today i might just start with a dilute bleach solution, but in the future ill try those brands... one thing, what is "washing up" cleanser?? and does anyone know the dimensions of an indoor rabbit cage? maybe it would still be a fine size for school...

-lisa

Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:19 am

Washing up liquid is what you do your dishes with!

_________________
A-M and the 3 roan lads - Neo, Pip(squeak) & Wes

Gone but never forgotten: Riz & Shearer

Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:40 am

I've got a couple of indoor rabbit cages, they're something like 3ft x 2ft, and about 18 inches high.

Fri Jun 27, 2003 4:08 am

hahahahahah, you should have just said dish soap!

where r u from? it may just be a confusion in terms caused by different locations.. :p who knows, but thank! and i know i know im a horrible person for considering that tank idea... BUT.. and keep in mind this is temporary (until school starts) im going to keep them in a 20 gallon tank with the wire cage propped on the top, the vetilation will be good and the space will be fine because they will be small still for a while, and then ill have to think of something else for school.. but they will be in a good situatuion all the same, and with my last rats, these ones too will spend lots of time outside, before i got into the habbit of having them out a couple hours at a time (with some potty breaks back in the cage) a couple times a day.. and i cant see any reason why it would be diferent now. One more question, does anyone know OxyClean?? its a powedered detergant (for clothes) that removes organic elements.. i could easily make it into a solution, do you think this could work for dissenfecting the cages?? Also, does a 10% bleach solution sound about right for getting the job doen as well?

-lisa

Fri Jun 27, 2003 6:40 am

Eek! I'm sorry I sounded so rude, but I just flashed back to an image of three rats in a ten gallon tank at a petstore. It made me so sad.
I apologize for being so rude. I have the occasional blunder where my mind slips into that horrible thing called, "speach."
Think fast, talk slow... I always screw that up. Sorry once again.

_________________
-=Stanza=- [Riding shoulder is:]
Sugar [Magnolias], Peanut, Willow, and Scarlet [Begonias].
This stanza is my lament. This world is my imprisonment. I know I can never be...
I know I'll never be free.
The cut that never heals...

Fri Jun 27, 2003 9:10 am

hahahaha no no no stanza, i didnt think you were rude at all.. i completely agree with u and the others, 10 gallons is way too small for 2 rats, hell, its too small for one rat, thats why im trying to think of different ways to expand the space.. ive found my solution for now but will still be looking for something bette... hahaha dont worry! Rainbow Smiley

-lisa

Fri Jun 27, 2003 1:55 pm

i used to mix three drops tea tree oil in with very hot water when i was cleaning out the cages.. it's a natural disinfectant, and is ok so long as you rinse really well. it's cheap too.

steph x

_________________
"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before"- Mae West

Fri Jun 27, 2003 3:00 pm

Subsequel, wher ein Western NY are you? I am driving to Buffalo next weekend to do a rat transport, I could drop you off a bigger cage if you'd like.

I have an extra kickin' arond downstairs.

rq

_________________

Fri Jun 27, 2003 4:12 pm

I use Dr. Bonners Lavender Castille Soap (yes, I always use lavender) with hot hot water and a scrub brush and it works great. To disinfect I would mix 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle of water, and spray down the cage and let it air dry. Lavender oil, like tea tree oil is also a disinfectant, but it smells a touch better. wink

I think you have a good idea expanding the size of the tank with a wire cage on top. I've seen pictures of some very large and fun looking rat habitats made that way. Just make sure that the cage part can't fall off. wink

Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:57 pm

I use a little bit of tea as well. I wondered if I should use diluted alchohol as it disolves so fast. But I'm more of a "natural" person.

_________________
-=Stanza=- [Riding shoulder is:]
Sugar [Magnolias], Peanut, Willow, and Scarlet [Begonias].
This stanza is my lament. This world is my imprisonment. I know I can never be...
I know I'll never be free.
The cut that never heals...