I love hamsters, but I hate hamster cages and tanks as they're always hideously ugly and horribly small (hamsters require more room than you'd think). A year ago, in the search for a perfect tank, I came across instructions on how to modify an Ikea Detolf curio cabinet into a hamster tank. I figured I'd share my build.
Underneath is the 4 cubby by 2 cubby Expedit shelving. On top you see the glass Detolf cabinet with no doors and no shelving. There are mods you can find that don't use the metal bars, but I'm just not that crafty.
Hut on one end
Dirt in the middle
Sand on the end for bathing (make sure your hamster isn't eating the sand):
Here's the top made from untreated wood and mesh wire:
Of course add in a wheel (you can find some nice wooden ones on ebay, but I stuck with plastic), wicker balls and other huts and hide-y places too. (I don't have pics of the complete finished set up.) I keep food at one end and water at the other. I make it a point to interact with him every time he's awake which has made him extremely hand friendly.
Norm loves butt-scratches and yogurt treats, and will tolerate being held and kissed for brief periods. He spent a week in a travel carrier while this was being built and I thought he'd never forgive me.
Here's my mister man, Norman:
Underneath is the 4 cubby by 2 cubby Expedit shelving. On top you see the glass Detolf cabinet with no doors and no shelving. There are mods you can find that don't use the metal bars, but I'm just not that crafty.
Hut on one end
Dirt in the middle
Sand on the end for bathing (make sure your hamster isn't eating the sand):
Here's the top made from untreated wood and mesh wire:
Of course add in a wheel (you can find some nice wooden ones on ebay, but I stuck with plastic), wicker balls and other huts and hide-y places too. (I don't have pics of the complete finished set up.) I keep food at one end and water at the other. I make it a point to interact with him every time he's awake which has made him extremely hand friendly.
Norm loves butt-scratches and yogurt treats, and will tolerate being held and kissed for brief periods. He spent a week in a travel carrier while this was being built and I thought he'd never forgive me.
Here's my mister man, Norman: