Habitrail Space station horror for my son's hampster

[Garry]

Hi there
I'm new to the group this Christmas I bought my son a habitrail space
station and a hamster. then just a few weeks ago it was his birthday. And
boy did we get presents tubes restaurant the whole nine yards.
After finally deciding how we were going to build it the main problem seems
to be. That the tubes fall apart We can't seem to keep it together. I have
talked to a few people they have informed me that the connectors are strong
enough to hold it altogether.It seems to be strong enough however no mater
how I even out the weight the longest it has held together is 4 days
the poor hamster has crashed at least 6 times
does anyone have a habitrail space station and if they do can they help me
please
Thanks
Garry

[Derek Teoh]

"Garry" <gar...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:deZc8.4493$EYv....@news1.bloor.is...
<snip>

> does anyone have a habitrail space station and if they do can they
help me
> please

Well, no offence intended, just a "justincase" sort of thing... you
_are_ twisting the locking rings to lock them in position right? For
me, when I just push the tubes together, it does "click" into position,
but its quite loose. Its a different story once I twist the rings to
lock them though.

Another thing you may want to try if you still have trouble after
twisting the rings... Wash the rings and the connecting parts of the
tubes etc etc with soap and water, especially the rubber inside the
rings. Then make sure they are _completely_ dry, and try again. A bit
of water in between the rubber and the tubes can be enough lubrication
to cause the whole thing to slip.

Hey, any pictures of the entire setup? Does it look anything like the
picture on the back of the boxes? Those huge twisting convoluted hammy
heavens? heheheheh

Good luck, and _do_ let us know how you get along.

Derek

[Avima Roper]

We have 2 of the space stations, with a whole bunch of the extra stuff, and
for the most part, the locking connectors and tubes hold the stuff up, but
we have one set up with the Space Explorer thing that starts to "sink" once
it is all set up. It doesn't fall apart at all, just doesn't stay up the
way we want it to.

We have one of those crazy twisted set ups and have just overlapped the
tubes in well planned spots so they can help support each other. It's
pretty cool once you master those locking rings.. The only drawback is
that Oreo LIVES in the middle of the whole tube maze and we can't ever take
her out without taking the whole stupid thing apart. She couldn't make her
nest in the explorer or the outpost.. That would be too convenient!

Anyway, good luck!

Avima

[Derek Teoh]

"Avima Roper" <avima...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:SC%c8.2097$2Q1.6314@rwcrnsc54...
<snip>

> The only drawback is
> that Oreo LIVES in the middle of the whole tube maze and we can't ever
take
> her out without taking the whole stupid thing apart. She couldn't
make her
> nest in the explorer or the outpost.. That would be too convenient!
>

I had a nice spiral made out of u-turns for Flippy and Tooty before.
While they were nice enough to nest in the main safari area, they just
loved to pee in the tubes and consequently, drip onto the floor. Argh!!

Derek

[Lari Frazee]

I'm not sure if this will help...but it worked for me. I have the Crittertrail
cages with Crittertrail tubing. My boyfriend decided to be very creative and
build this crazy tube set up for both my dwarfs. The tubes, of course wanted
to collapse/sink due to the weight. Sometimes in areas, the tubes would
separate cuz of the weight too. But he fixed the problem by taping each area
that is stressed by the weight by wrapping masking tape around the joint.
Maybe this might help? The only problem is taking the tubes apart, the tape
can get old after a while.

Lari

[the barbaric noodle]

Yeah, Oreo's nest is up towards the top of the spiral, so if she ever moves
around up there, an avalanche of food and bedding comes rumbling down the
tubes. Its....loud. Haha... At least she is nice enough to use the outpost
as a potty.

"Derek Teoh" <dere...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a520sv$3tet7$1...@ID-54211.news.dfncis.de...

[the barbaric noodle]

Oh, and just to clear up any confusion... This is Avima.. Posts from the
barbaric noodle will be from me when I am on the other computer and forget
to switch the identity... OOPS!

-Avima

"the barbaric noodle" <dmro...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:fk0d8.2306$2Q1.7706@rwcrnsc54...

[Thehamsterlog3]

hi,,

in the past when i used tubes extensively (i connected one hamstercage all
around my childhood bedroom) i would strengthen any long straight sections with
a strip of wooden lathe (thin wood) and rubberband them tightly to the tubes.
this would give them lateral support. for the curvey sections, not much was
done, but did make sure the layaout was such that no undue stress was placed on
joints. sometimes wires were used to hold up sections, connecting them to
shelves, walls, whatever was convenient.... it's kinda like lego engineering -
you have to really think out the whole layaout in order for it to work well.

i would think that masking tape on the connections would work too, or
alternately, maybe the self-adhering sports bandage could be used? that might
be easier for removal? if you clean your tubes regularly, the blue masking tape
that housepainters use would probably be okay, and not get too gummy or sticky
in a week or so.

but yeah!! please make sure the thing is "hamsterized" and stable before
putting your son's christmas hamster in its home. it could crash down and cause
serious damage, so pleease take care of things ; )

jimmy