[2023] 5 Best Glass Tank For Hamsters: Glass hamster cage (2024)

Can hamsters live in glass tanks? Yes, but finding the best glass hamster cage can be challenging. There’s still so much misinformation out there about hamster cages, often, pet shops would recommend a tiny critter cage for hamsters which is just not suitable.

If you come to a pet store and they ask what kind of hamster cage you are thinking of, mention about glass cage. If they say it’s not a good idea, it’s a sign not to trust that pet store regarding hamster care tips.

In this article, I will explain the pros and cons of glass tank for hamsters, why they are better options than plastic or even wooden cage, what size you should get, and how to provide good ventilation and top cover.

RELATED POST: Hamster care for beginners and list of basic hamster accessories

WHY GLASS TANK IS THE BEST HAMSTER CAGE

Glass tanks, unlike plastic and wood, are chew-proof for hamsters, meaning if you have chewing issues or are afraid that your hamster will chew through their plastic cage or wood cage and escape, a glass cage is definitely the safest option.

Chewing on cages is often seen in female Syrian and Robo hamsters. However, it doesn’t mean your Dwarf, Chinese, or male Syrian won’t chew a hole in their cages.

Another perk of glass tanks is how easier they will be to clean. First, unlike wood, pee and any liquid won’t seep through and leave any funky smell. Another thing is that all you need is to clean the cage, wipe it down, dry it, and be done.

With plastic cages, if you buy the ones with bar cages, washing them properly is a little challenging. With a wooden enclosure, you can’t really wash it down. Instead, you need a damp, clean cloth to wipe all the dirt and smell properly; drying can be a pain.

MUST-READ: How to clean a hamster’s cages

One last pro about glass tanks for hamsters, the glass stays cool all year round. During hot summer days, your hamster can lean on the glass for a cooler temperature, while on cold days, if you place a warm water bottle or blanket around the cage, the glass can trap the heat to keep the cage warm.

CONS OF GLASS HAMSTER CAGE

There’s nothing perfect. Even though glass cages significantly eliminate or reduce the escape possibility, it’s still possible. Hamsters can climb that glass just like spiderman.

Glass tanks that meet the hamster cage size requirement are also either expensive, always out of stock, or have to be customised. You see, only reptiles and fish used glass tanks with different dimensions and design requirements.

A glass tank price is between $180-$250 for a 40-gallon size / 100×5050 cm / 39x20x20 in / 4000 cm2 / 620 sq in.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR GLASS HAMSTER CAGE

Before ordering a glass tank for your hamster, ensure you have all the information you need to avoid spending too much money or wasting your money by buying the wrong kind. Here are things you should look for when getting a glass cage for a hamster:

Size

Hamster cage size should be 40-gallon size / 100×5050 cm / 39x20x20 in / 4000 cm2 / 620 sq inches. Remember, hamsters are not climbers (their feet are not suitable for climbing), hamsters are borrowers. Hence, a wider container with good depth is a much better option than a multi-layer cage.

Watch out when buying, although it says above that 40 gallons is the size, you should still look at the actual size. Because a 55-gallon seems bigger right? It is bigger but in height. For hamsters, we want to go for longer or wider in dimension and not for a tall one.

ALSO READ: How Big a Hamster’s cage should be and Hamster Cage Ideas

Top cover

The top cover will serve two purposes. One, for ventilation, that’s why it mustn’t be solid when you make or buy a top cover. It should have lots of holes to let air flow through. Second, it should fit perfectly and be able to be locked. This will help if your hamster tries to spiderman their way to the top.

You can buy the top separately, which also can be useful if you decide to go with a bin cage instead of the glass tank, or you can create ventilation out of mesh wire.

BEST PLACES TO BUY A GLASS TANK FOR HAMSTERS

As I mentioned before, finding a hamster glass tank that are right in size can be a challenge. So, here are some tips on where you can find this kind of tank.

Fish/Reptile shops

This is the obvious go-to place. These places have tank breeders that are usually big compared to single-fish or simple-pet kinds of terrariums. However, often they have small ones.

Asking the store owner or staff if they can make a customised one or get you in touch with their supplier would make your life easier than hopping between pet shops hoping to find the right size.

Online shops

Personally, this is my favourite option, I don’t have to drive around, talk to people, and potentially bargain. The problem with this option is the delivery can be a pain. First, you need to do the math if the delivery fee is too high. Then, when they deliver the product, you should be home to inspect it before accepting its condition.

Being made of glass, you can imagine how delicate it will be to transport.

Pet stores

Pet stores like Petco or Petsmart often hold sales like a dollar per gallon. Often, they even offer them in packages, meaning they are likely to through on the top cover as well.

Secondhand stores

If you don’t want to spend too much money, you should check secondhand shops, although it might be impossible to find one since they often sell clothes, kitchen appliances, toys, etc. You can check online secondhand stores or marketplaces on social media.

BEST GLASS TANK FOR HAMSTERS TO BUY

Here is a list of the best glass tank for hamsters that you can buy online. These glass aquarium for hamsters comes in different sizes, design, and even shapes.

Aqueon Tank Breeder (40 gal)

Tetra 55-gallon Starter Aquarium

SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium

Neptonian 48 Gallon Reptile Tank

Repti Zoo Reptile Glass Terrarium 67 Gallon

Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium

Repti Zoo 85 Gallon Glass Terrarium

TOP COVER FOR HAMSTER GLASS CAGE

Hamster aquariums are becoming more popular nowadays. But unlike a reptile or fish aquarium, you actually need to add a top cover.

These top covers will keep your hamster from escaping without compromising the ventilation. Use screws (chew-proof) or zip ties to attach them to the top of the glass tank.

Zilla Terrarium Steel Screen Cover

Exo Terra Regular 40 Gallon Screen Cover

DIY Mesh Wire

VERDICT ON BEST GLASS TANK FOR HAMSTERS

ReptiZoo is definitely the best on this list if you don’t mind working on a DIY mesh for ventilation and a top cover. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium is also great if you want to avoid that. It comes with a screen cover. It’s all glass, as long as you are fine with the front doors.

After reading this article, if you decide that a glass tank is not suitable for you or your hamster, take a look at ready-to-use hamster cages, bin cages, and even bookshelf cages – as long as you avoid this type of bad hamster cage.

I hope that you found this list of glass tanks for hamsters helpful. In the comment area below, let us know if you know of other aquariums or terrariums suitable for hamsters’ needs.

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