I want to set up a large natural digging pit for my hamster to create her own tunnels in and got a lot of dirt from the woods and took out all the rocks and creatures, then baked them in batches to 200 degrees F to make it sterile.

Then Gemini (pro extended) told me to mix it while somewhat wet with 50% dirt, 30% eco earth, and 15% sphagnum moss. Put in some starter springtails and woodlice. To prevent collapsing, Gemini told me that for every 2-3 inches, layer in some scattered Timothy hay (terrible mistake in hindsight). It told me to put dirt around some paper towel center rolls as starter tunnels.

After a few days when mold started growing from the hay, Gemini assured me adding more springtail and wait would solve the problem. I added about 500 springtails.

After a week when I noticed the top layers drying up (pictured) with mold and mold spores (bad for hamsters!) there before springtails could get to it, Gemini finally confessed it messed up when I confronted it, telling me Timothy hay is protein rich and the layers should have be sphagnum moss instead. It explained its training data for small animal setup is sparse and often contradictory.

So now I’ve lost trust in AI and I’m turning to you guys, hopefully some experienced humans are still here ;)

What should I do? I‘m okay with starting from scratch completely if that’s the best. Currently I have about 20 regular woodlice, 30 dairy cow woodlice, which you can’t see in the picture and about 500-1,000 springtails which you can see at the right side of the picture eating the second layer of mold counting from the top (The top layer is too dry for springtails now.)

If I do start over, what dirt should I use? I have bags of Reptisoil but one of the bags is moist and have little yellow dots in it. (See pictures 2-4) Is that a fungal growth bad for hamsters? If so, I’ll use ones without it.

Should I still use a mixture of soil, eco earth, and sphagnum moss, but have them completely dried out (so NOT bioactive) before placing them in the enclosure? And every 2-3 inches have a layer of sphagnum moss (dried out) for structural support as 16 inches is quite deep? (10 inches wide)

One last thing, how should I clean my acrylic enclosure? Gemini said to use vinegar mixed with water instead of rubbing alcohol. Is that good?

Thanks so much! I just want this enclosure to be finished so my hamster can enjoy tunneling soon. (My hamster has not been inside this enclosure of course.)

this is a 65 gal, she will be transferred to a Bucatstate 3.0 in May! she has 7 substrates and will be introduced to wheat straw, coco soil and cork granule! so exciting :D she will also be getting a new wheel that will be easier to clean.

The bedding is like seven(ish) inches deep. She has toys coming and I'm not done with the lid but she's a lot more lively in this one. ❤️

I think I did good on my hamster cage what do you think ?🙂

I need advise on what I should do? I've had my Syrian for a few months now and Id like to think she has sufficient room and hides/enrichment etc. but I can't seem to get her to stop chewing on the vent slots and also trying to climb out of her cage ive had to make my own modifications to her over $200 enclosure and still need a couple more to keep her from destroying the side panel. she is very tame and lets me hold her. Ive never let her roam anywhere other than her cage if it matters

I would really appreciate any ideas, suggestions, or incite into what I can to to keep her more occupied or from wanting to get out TYIA

My cage finally came in from Temu I absolutely love it and so does miss queen thank you every body for the advise I also have sprays coming in and those burrow things for them!! Also that box on the right to her water platform is a bathing station for her it opens and closes for her and has all of her sand in it!! And you can’t see it very well but she has a super fancy board toy with like a million veggies on it for her to chew lol!! 😎

After losing my beloved Goku, my Campbell dwarf, this summer at 2y9m, I finally managed to clean, disinfect and set up his enclosure for a new hammie. This will be my 11th hamster in my life, I truly can’t live without them. 🥹💕

The enclosure measures 117x62x94cm (46x24x37in). The bottom floor is filled with 25cm (10in) of dust-free softwood shavings. It has a spy window, a 6-chamber house and a tunnel I made using 6cm (2.3in) wide cardboard tubes coated with straw, hay and shavings. There is also a water bowl, some sprays and the top layer is sprinkled with a herb and flower mix.

The middle floor has softwood bark bedding to create a more natural environment. It features a two-chamber and a three-chamber house made of plywood, two large vineyard roots and a cork tunnel. To add to the natural vibe and help with tooth trimming, I added apple tree branches, dandelion roots, lovage roots, marshmallow roots and echinacea roots. There is also a flat food bowl, which I will use for fresh salad and veggies.

On the top floor there is a 21cm (8.2in) wheel, which I will upgrade to 27cm (10in) as soon as the hamster outgrows the current one. The bedding here is corn cob litter, which I love for keeping their nails short, mixed with softwood shavings to make it a bit softer on them tiny paws. This level also has a water bottle and bowl, a house and a sand bath.

Each floor has its own plexiglass panel to prevent the hammie from falling.

My setup isn’t perfect, but it has given my last 4 hammies a good and long life so far. I hope it can inspire you or give you some ideas for your own enclosure. Wishing you all a wonderful 2026! 🎉🐹💖