How to Convert an Aquarium for a Rat

For anyone who has owned fish and possesses an extra aquarium tank, or who can not acquire a wire cage designed for rats, an aquarium can make a suitable housing option for a pet rat. Aquariums also contain all mess and bedding from pet rats, keep other household pets away from the rats, and make it more practical to place the rats in a busy part of a house for their entertainment. A few modifications can transform an aquarium into a better enclosure for these intelligent rodents.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank topper
  • Wire mesh lid
  • Chicken wire
  • Epoxy glue
  • Bag of litter
  • Rat toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install a tank topper onto the aquarium. The best tank toppers are built from stainless wire and contain wire ladders to allow animals to climb up into the tank topper. The purpose of a tank topper is to create for vertical space for pet rats since, as climbing animals, they need objects in their tank for this activity. The wide wire spacing of a tank topper also allows for the most ventilation, another necessity. Rats are naturally susceptible to respiratory illness.

    • 2

      Attach a wire mesh lid to the aquarium if a tank topper will not fit or can not be purchased. Any sort of closed lid without plenty of airflow harms pet rats by stifling their air and containing ammonia fumes in the tank. For greater air flow, it is possible to remove the wire mesh from a traditional tank lid, cut a sheet of chicken wire to fit, and use epoxy glue to glue the chicken wire to the lid frame. Remember during the lid selection process to choose a suitably large tank to begin with, since at a minimum, one 20-gallon tank fits two rats. In any instance, the larger the tank the better since rats are too intelligent to thrive in an overly small environment.

    • 3

      Fill the bottom of the tank with substrate, also known as litter, to absorb urine and feces. Good litter also contains smells and ammonia fumes for the comfort of both human and rat. Some brands of cat litter work very well, such as Breeders Choice or Natty Cat Litter, according to Sunshine Rattery. Aspen bedding also works well because it contains no phenols to irritate rats' lungs, unlike other wood shaving options like cedar or pine which harm pet rats. Many rat owners also use shredded paper.

    • 4

      Fill the tank with rodent-suitable toys and myriad climbing opportunities. Rats enjoy wheels for exercise and miniature hammocks for sleeping, climbing and playing.