Things You'll Need:
- Aquarium (at least 10 gallons)
- Lid with clips or weight
- Hanging water bottle
- Wood shaving bedding
- Chew toys for rodents
- Den area
- Gerbil safe wheel
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Step 1
Select a clean, empty aquarium. Clean it with a mild dish detergent if it has ever held fish or other animals. The American Gerbil Society recommends that the aquarium should be at least 10 gallons large for two gerbils.
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Step 2
Select a wire mesh lid to go on top of the aquarium, preferably one with clips. If the lid does not have clips, place a small rock or paperweight on the lid. Gerbils are strong and can push a lid off.
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Step 3
Select a hanging gravity drip water bottle and wire hanger that does not interfere with closing the lid. Gerbils will quickly overturn a water dish.
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Step 4
Fill the tank with about 2 inches of bedding safe for gerbils (wood aspen shavings, corn cob or Carefresh). Gerbils love to bury themselves and extra food under the bedding.
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Step 5
Place a solid-bottomed wheel in the tank, as well as chew toys approved for any small rodent. Empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls also make fun toys, but need to be replaced when they get wet. Add an edible den or overturned shoebox as a place for the gerbils to hide and feel safe.
