My Omlet cage arrived

Update on the Omlet cage! Megazorb is not a good bedding for this cage. 85L which gives 9 inches of bedding weighs between 11 and 15kg. It’s too much for the omlet base and bows a little. You wouldn’t want to try and pick it up with this weight in it, or use the Omlet stand as then the bottom bows.

It’s perfect for my other ikea built cages as they are wood and glass and the base is flat on the floor.

I really like the Megazorb because it holds burrows so well and compacts nicely and is only £11.50 for a 85L bag. But for Pumpkins next big clean I think I’m going to switch to the white paper bedding from small pet select as it is £50 for 178L and is less than 3kg for 85L.
 
Thank you for the update, very useful to know. The Bucatstate has its limitations.
 
Oh goodness. Do you mean the turquoise base part bows?
 
Hi Maz!

Yes but only very slightly. It is still secure, unless you try and pick it up, then the bottom of the base bows massively. I think with paper bedding or wood shavings this wouldn’t be an issue as they are so much lighter!
 
swampystorm said:
Hi Maz!

Yes but only very slightly. It is still secure, unless you try and pick it up, then the bottom of the base bows massively. I think with paper bedding or wood shavings this wouldn’t be an issue as they are so much lighter!
Click to expand...
Although they sell hemp horse bedding on their website which weighs roughly the same for the same volume as Megazorb, so maybe an over sight in their design?
 
When you say bows, do you mean the sides bow out and the top part of the base separates from the perspex? I did notice the rim of the base was quite flexible, as mine was bent on arrival and I was able to bend it back - unlike hard plastic which would just crack if bent.

I wonder if this is why on their site, they only recommend filling the base up to the start of the perspex.
 
I was going to say that doesn't look too bad :-) But what happens if you pick it up? I don't think I could pick up any of my cages full of bedding anyway! They are so heavy when full of bedding!
 
Yes paper bedding is probably lighter. I'm not sure about the small pet select one. There was one that had some issues with it (like paper pellets) - it might have been that one. I use Fitch. Not as cheap as it used to be but a 70l bale is about £32. It's recycled food grade paper. It might be you need to not compress the bedding as much as well maybe. I'm surprised megazorb is heavier but I've never used it so wouldn't know :-)

www.fitchfirst.com

1 x 70LTR Fitch Paper Pet Bedding

Fitch 70L Paper Pet Bedding Bales size are 500mmx440mmx330mm Fitch Pet Bedding. It is very absorbent,may vary in softness and colour, our bedding is warm and is ideal for dogs,cats,rabbits,hamsters,guinea pigs and many other animals. The paper is shredded into small pieces of about 15-20mm...
www.fitchfirst.com www.fitchfirst.com
 
No, it’s not too bad! As long as the cage is on a flat surface. If you pick it up, the bottom drops and feels like it is going to fold in on itself.

My only real worry would be how it would cope in the stand as it hangs in it?
 
Sorry I just updated my post above :-)

Yes that would be a concern - how it would cope hanging in the stand.
 
The Bucatstate does too ha ha. A lot of cages have pros and cons - but barred cages are usually pretty solid.

You would think they would have tested it with bedding weight and the stand. Maybe it is that Megazorb is heavy and it's packed down tightly? I was surprised at the flexibility of the plastic on the base actually. I suppose if something slightly flexible buts up against something rigid, like the perspex, then under certain situations, they could move differently.
 
There isn't much point having perspex unless you can fill it with bedding, well paper bedding at least 🙁
 
Maybe you can - they seem to think the perspex is for preventing the bedding spill out of the base and so you can see your hamster. Whereas to us, it gives a deeper base for bedding. The link above from swampystorm says they suggest not filling it higher than half way up the perspex (which would be about 20 cm or slightly over presumably).

How high was your bedding swampystorm, when the base bowed?

The Bucatstate says no more than 9" of bedding (or the perspex bows).
 
I really want to design my own cages! Maybe like the habitat 4 at pets at home just bigger with a deep all Perspex tray so you can see them burrow! Also at a decent price point!

I’d also love to design a Degu cage. These creatures need a lot of room and are also burrowing creatures! As their cages need to be all metal DIY isn’t any good for them as they rapidly chew through wood! There aren’t any cages that allow them to burrow or have enough space which makes keeping them really cruel :(.
 
swampystorm said:
I really want to design my own cages! Maybe like the habitat 4 at pets at home just bigger with a deep all Perspex tray so you can see them burrow! Also at a decent price point!

I’d also love to design a Degu cage. These creatures need a lot of room and are also burrowing creatures! As their cages need to be all metal DIY isn’t any good for them as they rapidly chew through wood! There aren’t any cages that allow them to burrow or have enough space which makes keeping them really cruel :(.
Click to expand...
About where it is in the picture. It’s 9 inches from the base, so not quite half way up the Perspex!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maz
swampystorm said:
I really want to design my own cages! Maybe like the habitat 4 at pets at home just bigger with a deep all Perspex tray so you can see them burrow! Also at a decent price point!

I’d also love to design a Degu cage. These creatures need a lot of room and are also burrowing creatures! As their cages need to be all metal DIY isn’t any good for them as they rapidly chew through wood! There aren’t any cages that allow them to burrow or have enough space which makes keeping them really cruel :(.
Click to expand...
I used to dream about the ideal cage. I think the reality is that once it gets to 100cm or larger it needs a very sturdy base section - glass maybe. Although Savic did a good job with the base of the Plaza 120. A lot of the larger german cages had a more solid base with a wood frame with perspex in between, and the bars on top.

Glass is better but of course glass can get broken! That's what always put me off.

The Ferplast Domplast seems to have a well constructed base - except the frame is wood which can be chewed. Perspex panels need to be thick enough and also securely enough attached.
 
Viking Lazer panels are really good, but of course having bars reduces visibility.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top