I personally prefer using clear storage totes. I used to have all glass tanks 15 to 50 gallons. One shattered (no mouse was in it) and the larger ones were just too heavy to move which made cleaning it a huge task.
A lot of people have asked me what kind to buy so here is a list of storage totes I’ve used or currently use as habitats for my mice…
1 to 5 Mice
Container:
Holmz 64 qt. stackable storage container (28.75”x10.625”x16”) at Ace Hardware for $8.99 for it.
Screen/Cover:
Imaginarium 20-gallon tank cover from Petco $17.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-29-gallon-terrarium-screen
Container:
Sterilite 76 qt. storage tote (25.75” x 18.375” x 13.25”) at Walmart $9.98
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-76-Qt-72-L-Stacker-Box-Taupe-Splash/855420154
Screen/Cover:
Imagitarium 15-gallon tank cover from Petco $12.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-15-gallon-terrarium-screen
6 to 9 Mice
Container:
Sterilite 106 qt. storage tote (33.75” x 13" x 18.75”) at Home Depot $15.98
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-106-Qt-Latching-Storage-Box-14998004/206721484
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 36” x 18” tank top from Amazon $22.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
9 to 12 Mice (or a play area):
Container:
Sterilite 200 qt. storage tote (39.75” x 17.875” x 21.5”) at Home Depot/Walmart $24.99.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-50-Gal-Stacker-Box-14794K03/308820153
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 48” x 18” tank cover from Amazon $33.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
For additional recommendations refer to the cage calculator at Pet Mice Fanciers http://www.petmousefanciers.com/iportal
Tips:
· Use Velcro to affix water bottles. The bottle must be empty and at room temperature when applying the Velcro or it won’t stick.
· If you don’t have a surface available to store your tote, consider a skinny folding table. I purchased mine at Walmart originally to use as a desk.
· If you choose a different tote not listed above. Make sure the sides are straight up and down. Sloping sides will cause most water bottles to malfunction. The bottles must remain straight up and down.
Here is a the storage tote list I mentioned above...
1 to 5 Mice
Container:
Holmz 64 qt. stackable storage container (28.75”x10.625”x16”) at Ace Hardware for $8.99 for it.
Screen/Cover:
Imaginarium 20-gallon tank cover from Petco $17.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-29-gallon-terrarium-screen
Container:
Sterilite 76 qt. storage tote (25.75” x 18.375” x 13.25”) at Walmart $9.98
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-76-Qt-72-L-Stacker-Box-Taupe-Splash/855420154
Screen/Cover:
Imagitarium 15-gallon tank cover from Petco $12.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-15-gallon-terrarium-screen
6 to 9 Mice
Container:
Sterilite 106 qt. storage tote (33.75” x 13" x 18.75”) at Home Depot $15.98
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-106-Qt-Latching-Storage-Box-14998004/206721484
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 36” x 18” tank top from Amazon $22.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
9 to 12 Mice (or a play area):
Container:
Sterilite 200 qt. storage tote (39.75” x 17.875” x 21.5”) at Home Depot/Walmart $24.99.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-50-Gal-Stacker-Box-14794K03/308820153
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 48” x 18” tank cover from Amazon $33.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
For additional recommendations refer to the cage calculator at Pet Mice Fanciers http://www.petmousefanciers.com/iportal
Tips:
· Use Velcro to affix water bottles. The bottle must be empty and at room temperature when applying the Velcro or it won’t stick.
· If you don’t have a surface available to store your tote, consider a skinny folder table. I purchased mine at Walmart originally to use as a desk.
· If you choose a different tote not listed above. Make sure the sides are straight up and down. Sloping sides will cause most water bottles to malfunction. The bottles must remain straight up and down.
· Also note, just because I indicated the number of mice doesn't mean you have to keep them in that small of a habitat. As long as you fill the space with enrichment it will benefit them. If it's left empty it can make them lonely.
o Enrichment ideas:
o toilet paper rolls dumped in a pile or stacked in a pyramid and taped the together.
o basic blunt ended (and clean) kitchen items like a spatula, spoon, small coffee mug,
o empty egg carton (no dried raw egg present)
o ceramic figurines (with approval from owner)
o small plastic toy car (knowing it may be destroyed)
o cat toy (new/clean) with all small parts that can be chewed off removed. Balls with bells are especially fun for them. Be careful of anything that rattles. The mouse could open up the toy and choke on the tiny beads inside.
o tree branch/wood/drift wood (keep in freezer over night before putting in habitat to kill bugs)
o Wood bridges (check amazon small pet/hamster toys)
o Bird toys like coconut hides.
o Toys you make yourself (google DIY hamster or rat toys)
Good luck.
I'm a bin cage fan. I had 15, 20, and 50 gallon glass tanks. The larger ones were so difficult to clean. I don't like the 20 gallons because they are just too narrow.
Here is a list of storage totes I’ve used or currently use as habitats for my mice…
1 to 5 Mice
Container:
Holmz 64 qt. stackable storage container (28.75”x10.625”x16”) at Ace Hardware for $8.99 for it.
Screen/Cover:
Imaginarium 20-gallon tank cover from Petco $17.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-29-gallon-terrarium-screen
Container:
Sterilite 76 qt. storage tote (25.75” x 18.375” x 13.25”) at Walmart $9.98
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-76-Qt-72-L-Stacker-Box-Taupe-Splash/855420154
Screen/Cover:
Imagitarium 15-gallon tank cover from Petco $12.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-15-gallon-terrarium-screen
6 to 9 Mice
Container:
Sterilite 106 qt. storage tote (33.75” x 13" x 18.75”) at Home Depot $15.98
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-106-Qt-Latching-Storage-Box-14998004/206721484
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 36” x 18” tank top from Amazon $22.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
9 to 12 Mice (or a play area):
Container:
Sterilite 200 qt. storage tote (39.75” x 17.875” x 21.5”) at Home Depot/Walmart $24.99.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-50-Gal-Stacker-Box-14794K03/308820153
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 48” x 18” tank cover from Amazon $33.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
For additional recommendations refer to the cage calculator at Pet Mice Fanciers http://www.petmousefanciers.com/iportal
Tips:
· Use Velcro to affix water bottles. The bottle must be empty and at room temperature when applying the Velcro or it won’t stick.
· If you don’t have a surface available to store your tote, consider a skinny folder table. I purchased mine at Walmart originally to use as a desk.
· If you choose a different tote not listed above. Make sure the sides are straight up and down. Sloping sides will cause most water bottles to malfunction. The bottles must remain straight up and down.
Here is a list of storage totes I’ve used or currently use as habitats for my mice…
1 to 5 Mice
Container:
Holmz 64 qt. stackable storage container (28.75”x10.625”x16”) at Ace Hardware for $8.99 for it.
Screen/Cover:
Imaginarium 20-gallon tank cover from Petco $17.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-29-gallon-terrarium-screen
Container:
Sterilite 76 qt. storage tote (25.75” x 18.375” x 13.25”) at Walmart $9.98
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-76-Qt-72-L-Stacker-Box-Taupe-Splash/855420154
Screen/Cover:
Imagitarium 15-gallon tank cover from Petco $12.99 … or DIY using tote lid
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-15-gallon-terrarium-screen
6 to 9 Mice
Container:
Sterilite 106 qt. storage tote (33.75” x 13" x 18.75”) at Home Depot $15.98
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-106-Qt-Latching-Storage-Box-14998004/206721484
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 36” x 18” tank top from Amazon $22.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
9 to 12 Mice (or a play area):
Container:
Sterilite 200 qt. storage tote (39.75” x 17.875” x 21.5”) at Home Depot/Walmart $24.99.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-50-Gal-Stacker-Box-14794K03/308820153
Screen/Cover:
Zilla 48” x 18” tank cover from Amazon $33.99 … or DIY using tote lid and ¼ “ garden wire
For additional recommendations refer to the cage calculator at Pet Mice Fanciers http://www.petmousefanciers.com/iportal
Tips:
· Use Velcro to affix water bottles. The bottle must be empty and at room temperature when applying the Velcro or it won’t stick.
· If you don’t have a surface available to store your tote, consider a skinny folder table. I purchased mine at Walmart originally to use as a desk.
· If you choose a different tote not listed above. Make sure the sides are straight up and down. Sloping sides will cause most water bottles to malfunction. The bottles must remain straight up and down.
Also note, just because I indicated the number of mice doesn't mean you have to keep them in that small of a habitat. As long as you fill the space with enrichment it will benefit them. If it's left empty it can make them lonely.
Enrichment ideas:
Good luck.