Junior Hamster
Posted 02 March 2022 - 08:30 AM
So I plan to put an IKEA Detolf on a wall mounted shelf that me and my dad are most likely going to DIY. I'm just wondering if it'd be safe, like what if the hamster escapes and falls.
It probably won't be a problem, I've seen people have cages on shelves before and the hamster I'm (possibly) most likely going to get is very chill and content, but I'm a paranoid future hamster mom, haha.
Junior Hamster
Posted 02 March 2022 - 08:42 AM
I don't have mine on a wall mounted shelf, just a regular shelf, but they can get very heavy with all the bedding and sand you'll be adding, so I would be concerned about that. If you make the right kind of lid, escaping won't be a problem, so the main thing I would test is the weight of the cage on the shelf.
Also, if you're in an area that experiences frequent earthquakes, you'll need to keep that in mind.
Ultimate Hamster Clone
Posted 02 March 2022 - 08:58 AM
I second the weight thing. Glass cages are heavy anyway plus bedding and sand baths, etc. Just make sure however you mount it, it can take more weight than you expect it to be.
Junior Hamster
Posted 02 March 2022 - 10:09 AM
Yeah, I've thought about the weight thing too. I don't have earthquakes here, and I found these L brackets at home depot that can hold up to 1200 lbs, so I think that would work well
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-16-in-x-10-in-White-Heavy-Duty-Shelf-Bracket-14826/202895664
Edited by CallaTheHam, 02 March 2022 - 10:09 AM.
Popstar Ham
Posted 02 March 2022 - 01:18 PM
The brackets would need to be attached at the studs of the wall (assuming these are standard drywall and stud walls). Otherwise, the whole thing will come tumbling down, taking part of the wall with it. The weight rating on the brackets only tell you that the brackets won't break.
If you are worried about the hamster escaping and falling (and it's a risk with shorter cages like the Detolf), consider putting something soft to land on underneath.
Keep in mind that other natural disasters can be an issue (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.).
Personally, if I wanted to go with a cage on a shelf, I'd pick a cage that wasn't fragile glass and was tall enough that the hamster couldn't pop out if I turned my back for a bit when the lid is open.
Junior Hamster
Posted 02 March 2022 - 01:36 PM
The brackets would need to be attached at the studs of the wall (assuming these are standard drywall and stud walls). Otherwise, the whole thing will come tumbling down, taking part of the wall with it
Yeah, we're going to attach it to the studs 
The weight rating on the brackets only tell you that the brackets won't break.
How would I know if they can hold the detolf + the bedding etc, then?
If you are worried about the hamster escaping and falling (and it's a risk with shorter cages like the Detolf), consider putting something soft to land on underneath.
I'm going to put a soft rug underneath, but do you think I would need something more cushiony?
Keep in mind that other natural disasters can be an issue (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.).
We don't have many natural disasters here, so I'm not very worried about that
I could possibly use a shelf that has legs on the ground, not sure if that'd be sturdier? But my room is pretty small so I would really like to have it so that I can have space underneath.
Edited by CallaTheHam, 02 March 2022 - 01:49 PM.
Popstar Ham
Posted 02 March 2022 - 03:45 PM
How would I know if they can hold the detolf + the bedding etc, then?
I mean, you need to make sure that everything else can hold the weight as well (the shelf, the screws, the anchors). The brackets are one part of the equation.
IIRC the Detolf doesn't sit quite flat, so you'll want to support the bottom glass and make sure there's enough brackets that the shelf will never bow.
I could possibly use a shelf that has legs on the ground, not sure if that'd be sturdier? But my room is pretty small so I would really like to have it so that I can have space underneath.
Not necessarily. There is a risk of tipping with furniture not attached to the wall, and of course the legs and everything would need to support the weight.
Junior Hamster
Posted 02 March 2022 - 11:05 PM
Junior Hamster
Posted 04 March 2022 - 01:13 PM
I must admit, it's tricky to find something you're 100% sure is sturdy enough to hold your detolf. For awhile I had mine on the floor with a panel of wood under it.
Since then, I've got another 3 hamsters and one is in a vivarium. Before I had a third hamster though, the vivarium was found after my second one and I had the detolf sat on top of the solid surface and I used the underneath as a storage for hamster supplies (the sliding glass doors made it look tidy as well). Though I do admit vivariums are expensive, I was lucky to find mine for free in perfect (pretty much new) condition outside someones property.
Knocked on the door asking if they were getting rid of it and they were so I took advantage and grabbed it.
Although I have it ventilated on top (the vivarium), because the detolf is slimmer I can still have it on top. However, it's going to become a storage unit come saturday once again as my Syrian has decided he's no longer happy in it (and claws and bites the glass constantly)... Sassy bugger is moving from an 850 - 870square inch enclosure to a 2848 square inch enclosure lol
Edited by Imogen, 04 March 2022 - 01:18 PM.
