Decorating a rat tank?

Question

I currently have two rats in a 20 or so gallon tank with a ventilated cover and was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to decorate it etc?
thanks

Decorate Inside :) just want to know what to put in there coz I wanna use the space I have the best way I can :)

Answer 1

I agree with some of the others, rats should not be kept in tanks. Tanks dont have enough air circulation, meaning that the ammonia from the rats' urine builds up and causes respiratory problems. Also rats dont cope very well with heat, and in the summer you could end up with some very poorly rats.

I'd save your money and get yourself a nice big cage for them - try Ebay or your local freecycle or classifieds for second hand bargains if money is an issue.

Check the dimensions of your cage against this cage calculator before you buy, to make sure it'll be big enough:
http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/habitat/cagecalculator/

Best of luck! :-)

Answer 2

Honestly, you shouldn't keep rats in a tank. Their respitory systems are too delicate to be kept in a closed area like that without too much ventilation. The ammonia build up from their urine can really do some damage. It's much better to get a mesh cage so air can flow freely.

Ways you can decorate it are empty boxes (ziploc boxes, cereal boxes, etc). They love hammocks so if you could find a way to put those in there they would love it. Pretty much anything thats safe they will use.

Answer 3

A 20 gallon tank is a bit small for two rats. It's okay when they're babies but they really need a bit more space to move around as they get big. An exercise wheel is good, if you have room for a really big one, not the size you would give a hamster. My rats enjoy hammocks, like they sell for ferrets, if you can figure out how to mount it. I have a cage with bars and a hammock clips on easily. Tubes, nest boxes, things to gnaw on. That's all I can think of.

Answer 4

get a different cage. Rats need wire cages, or you need to clean it out every single day, as amonia builds up, even if you can't smell it, it's there.

some good cages are martins cages (www.martinscages.com).
the smallest cage for 2 rats is 24x18x24 inches, but remember you will have a food bowl, water bottle, toys, and hammocks in there, so it will still be crowded for 2 rats.

for a tank, there is just about nothing you can put in there. It's to small, especially a "20 or so" g tank. It would be like you living in your bedroom, eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom, with a ROOM MATE, in that small of a room, hardly ever getting to get away from your room mate.

Answer 5

Are you speaking, of decoration inside, or outside the tank? And, what materiald would you use, to decorate it with?

I wouldn't put anything, decrative inside 'cause, that could be either hazardus or poisonus, to the critters. That's my opinion. But if you're talking about an exercise wheel, some toys and a hiding box, that's good.

Answer 6

The main thing is, they need a big running wheel. If it squeaks, oil it. Rats are not much into decor. You could use your imagination. Once I put a high heeled shoe in the rat cage and the rat used it for a nest box. You could put a picture on the back of the tank, but you'd better put it on the outside if you don't want it torn down! You could put up a shelf near the top for the rat to rest on; sometimes they like a high perch, and it's a nice way to see your rat. You could make or buy a nest box that you set next to the glass, so that the glass is one or 2 walls of it, and you can see the rat curled up sleeping in the nest.

Answer 7

An empty tissue box

Tubes (or Chubes) or papertowel rolls

A wheel

Beds

There is also a hammock made for reptiles that hangs by suction cups that would be a perfect little place for your ratties.

HAVE FUN!!!

Answer 8

i'd say a victorian theme