This guide will show you everything you need for a happy and healthy Gerbil set-up, and where to find them. We have also listed what you’ll need by tank set-up below. Note this is a guide, you may find items cheaper with other suppliers and we have no affiliation to them, other than we choose products we love and use. There is a lot more information on tanks and set-ups across this website, this page is a simple guide to getting started. Please look at our Which Tank? section to view suitable tanks and our Cleaning and Tank Set-up to see how to set up.
Essential Items
You must first select your Gerbil’s tank. We review these tanks in more detail here Housing Which Tank?
Quick links to our recommended tank options:
Ikea Detolf (now discontinued in the UK but available 2nd hand on selling sites) which fits well on top of an Ikea Kallax (the length of 4 inserts 42 x 147cm). The Detolf measures 163 x 43 x 37cm (L x W x H). Note the stand for the Detolf will need to be slightly shorter, so the wooden ends of the Detolf hang over and the glass lies flat and is properly supported. Glass, wood and metal.
DIVERSA Tanks have plenty of availability new, in plenty of sizes. These are great for creating your own DIY tank, minimum size 100 x 40 x 40cm (L x W x H)
Bucastate 100x50x52.5cm & Bucastate 120cm x 60cm & 100cm x 50cm Metal frame and Acrylic panels. Try Temu for cheaper deals.
Rodipet Laola Nagarium Gerbilarium (update November 2025, we can’t currently find stockists to link to the Rodipet, please check 2nd hand selling sites instead)- 100 x 50 x 50cm or 120 x 50 x 50cm . Metal frame and Acrylic panels.
Skyline Marrakesh 100 & Skyline Marrakesh 120 – At the time of writing (November 2025) the 100 & 120 are back in stock in the UK. Sizes are 96 x 47 x 38 (L x W x H) for the 100 and 115 x 50 x 50 (L x W x H) for the 120 which is the better option you should go for. Glass and Wood.
Skyline Falco 100 &120 – are only available second hand (look out for them on 2nd hand selling sites). Metal and glass.
VEVOR Habitat & Uimoso Habitat (Temu also have these in stock but check it’s the correct size) – 96cmx47cmx55cm (L x W x H) = 4,512cm of floorspace. Metal frame and Acrylic panels.
Ferplast Jerry 100 measures 101.7cmx51.9cmx53.1cm (L x W x H) = 5,278cm of floorspace. Metal and glass.
For toppers or lids in 100% pet safe wood look at – Enclosure Lids & Toppers | Happy Henry’s Homes or Kirsty’s Tank Tops.
Basic Starter Equipment
Pet Carrier. Ferplast Aladino Small Pet Carrier 36x26x23cm Large Make sure the carrier has plenty of space, the smaller ones aren’t big enough.
2 x Water Bottles/Ceramic Water Bowl: Depending on your tank, see our suggestions here Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles
Dry Food: See our Diet, Feeding & Water Bottles page. You do not need a food bowl, it can cause resource guarding or territorial issues. Scatter feed which allows gerbils to forage as they would in the wild.
Bathing Sand: See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for info on which sand to buy. Do not buy Chinchilla sand or Chinchilla dust, it’s too fine for Gerbils and can cause respiratory issues, as can any sand containing sepiolite (clay), which are too dusty. and can cause internal blockages.
Bathing Sand Dish/Bowl: Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
Stand/Platform: HappyHenrysHomes Platforms come in a variety of sizes and heights (email for a custom size) and are made from 100% pet safe materials. The sand bath, water bowl etc can sit on this platform for tanks without toppers to keep them free of substrate.
Substrate (digging material): Take a look at the substrates we recommend here Substrate Bedding & Nest Boxes . Never use wood shavings (except Aspen) or sawdust as these are irritants, which contain phenols and can cause respiratory and serious health issues.
Meadow/Orchard Hay: Timothy Hay or Straw is too sharp for Gerbils. Hay is for adding to the substrate to bind tunnels, and to add enrichment i.e Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay or Natures Own – Devon Meadow Hay XL which comes in compostable plastic free film, no pesticides. Always make sure it is dust extracted.
Nesting Box: Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. 1 chamber hide, never multi chamber. Ideally you want Birch, and never constructed using anything sharp like nails, or staples. Make sure the lid is weighted down. Alternatively, on a budget, you can use a small plain brown cardboard delivery box, approx size 15-20cm(L)x15cm(W)x10-15cm(H) remove any plastic tape and replace as needed. Substrate, Bedding & Nest Boxes
Nesting Material: Plain, unscented and unbleached plastic free toilet roll, like Super Soft, Unbleached Bamboo Eco Toilet Paper | Naked Paper
Wheel: See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information. Wheels must be 28cm+, no plastic, no ridges, no mesh, no exposed rungs. Trixie Wooden Wheel 28cm will fit into the Detolf, Marrakesh, Jungle Pets, Diversa/DIY Aquarium and the Skyline Falco, it’s also good value. Tic Tac make excellent metal wheels (chew proof and easy to clean) which can also attach to bars Tic Tac Wheels – choose the 12 inch size but make sure it will fit in your tank first (roughly 30cm) Heureka-marathon-running-wheel-30-cm are metal and wider than most wheels (note these get shipped from Germany and at time of writing Dec 2025 are out of stock) or RodentsHome 28cm Wooden Wheel or Hopes Gerbil Wheel 30cm or Niteangel Wooden Wheel 11.6 inches
Disinfectant: Pet Safe Disinfectant
Enrichment: No coloured cardboard, and remove labels with inks. Egg Boxes / Brown packaging paper / Kitchen and Toilet roll inserts / Postal Tubes Brown Postal Tubes 460mm x 76mm (no smaller in diameter to avoid Gerbils being trapped when filled with substrate and remove any plastic ends or sticky tape). Ask for tubes to be sent without the plastic ends to cut down on waste.
Accessories by Tank Type – see our tanks and housing section
Ikea Detolf Accessories (please note the Detolf is no longer sold by Ikea in the UK but is available 2nd hand)
Ikea Detolf Tank Divider: Kerbl wooden bridge large 50 x 30cm (L x H) or even bigger Trixie Willow Bridge 65 x 40cm (L x H) This separates the substrate/digging area from the wheel, water etc. For flat lids saw just above the metal, the width of a few logs, on left side to create an entrance/exit. For curved lids no modification needed.
Ikea Detolf Ladders: Hanging Bridge for Small Pets Attach these to the Kerbl bridge by Eye Hooks screwed into the wood.
Ikea Detolf Stand. Stand/Platform: HappyHenrysHomes Platforms come in a variety of sizes and heights (email for a custom size) and are made from 100% pet safe materials. The sand bath, water bowl etc can sit on this platform for tanks without toppers to keep them free of substrate.
Ikea Detolf Wheel: Make sure you check your wheel height against your tank height. See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information.
Ikea Detolf Water Bottles/Holders: For extra info and links see our Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles page. You can fix metal Lixit or Kaytee Metal bottle holders to wooden tank ends and use glass bottles. The Bucastate Magnetic water bottle holder fixes to the glass, or a water bowl on a raised stand.
Ikea Detolf Nesting Box. Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. Make sure the lid is weighted down.
Ikea Detolf Bathing Sand Dish: Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
Skyline Marrakesh Tank Divider: Kerbl wooden bridge large 50 x 30cm (L x H) or Trixie Willow Bridge 65 x 40cm (L x H) Saw just above the metal, the width of a few logs, on left side to create an exit.
Skyline Marrakesh Ladders: Hanging Bridge for Small Pets (attached to Kerbl bridge by Eye Hooks )
Skyline Marrakesh Stand: HappyHenrysHomes Platforms come in a variety of sizes and heights (email for a custom size) and are made from 100% pet safe materials. The sand bath, water bowl etc can sit on this platform for tanks without toppers to keep them free of substrate.
Skyline Marrakesh Wheel: Make sure you check your wheel height against your tank height. See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information.
Skyline Marrakesh Water Bottle/Holders: For extra info and links see our Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles page. You can fix metal Lixit or Kaytee Metal bottle holders to wooden tank ends and use glass bottles. The Bucastate Magnetic water bottle holder fixes to the glass, or a water bowl on a raised stand.
Skyline Marrakesh Nesting Box: Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. Make sure the lid is weighted down.
Skyline Marrakesh Bathing Sand Dish/Bowl: Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
DIY Aquarium / PPA (Jungle Pets) / Diversa Tanks Etc (without a topper) Accessories
Tank Divider. Kerbl wooden bridge large 30 x 50cm L x H or Trixie Willow Bridge 65 x 40cm (L x H) Saw just above the metal, the width of a few logs, on left side to create an exit.
Tank Ladders. Hanging Bridge for Small Pets (attached to Kerbl bridge by Eye Hooks )
Tank Stand/Platform: HappyHenrysHomes Platforms come in a variety of sizes and heights (email for a custom size) and are made from 100% pet safe materials. The sand bath, water bowl etc can sit on this platform for tanks without toppers to keep them free of substrate.
Tank Wheel: Make sure you check your wheel height against your tank height. See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information.
Tank Water Bottles/Holders: For extra info and links see our Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles page. The Bucastate Magnetic water bottle holder fixes to the glass, or a water bowl on a raised stand.
Tank Nesting Box. Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. Make sure the lid is weighted down.
Tank Bathing Sand Dish. Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
DIY Aquarium / Diversa Tanks (with a topper) Accessories
The same accessories as a tank without a topper above, except you will not need a stand or divider, as you have a topper. Your water bottles will fix into the wire of the topper without the need for a bottle holder, to fix into wire bars use Etsy deluxe small animal paracord for water bottles
Skyline Falco Replacement Shelves: Often 2nd hand the shelves and ladders are missing or soiled. You can order replacements through Kirstys Tank Tops. Attach the ladder Hanging Bridge for Small Pets with eye hooks. Note the original shelves are thin enough that a 21cm wheel will fit, so a thicker replacement shelf should be used on the non wheel tank side only. Cover your shelves with think cardboard for ease of cleaning and to prevent soiling.
Skyline Falco Wheel: As there is only room for a 21cm wheel on the top level of a Falco 100, a Trixie Wooden Wheel 28cm can be adapted to be screwed onto the wire at the back of the tank and by adjusting the shelves. Tic Tac make excellent metal wheels to attach to bars Tic Tac Wheels. See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information.
Skyline Falco Water Bottle/Holders: For extra info and links see our Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles page. You could use water bowl on the levels. You can choose bottles to fit through the bars attached with paracord.
Skyline Falco Nesting Box: Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. Make sure the lid is weighted down.
Skyline Falco Bathing Sand Dish: Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
Bucastate 100x50x52.5cm & Bucastate 120cm x 60cm & 100cm x 50cm & Rodipet Laola Nagarium Gerbilarium & VEVOR Habitat & Uimoso Habitat & Ferplast Jerry 100 – AT THE TIME OF WRITING TEMU ARE DOING CHEAPER CHRISTMAS DEALS ON THE BUCASTATE! Also check Temu for the Vevor, but make sure they have the right size.
Note: The Vevor/Uimoso are showing out of stock at the moment but do check Temu for availability and check it’s the right size.
Tank Divider: Kerbl wooden bridge large 50 x 30cm (L x H) or Trixie Willow Bridge 65 x 40cm (L x H) Saw just above the metal, the width of a few logs, on left side to create an exit if needed.
Ladders: Hanging Bridge for Small Pets (attached to Kerbl bridge by Eye Hooks )
Stand/Platform: HappyHenrysHomes Platforms come in a variety of sizes and heights (email for a custom size) and are made from 100% pet safe materials. The sand bath, water bowl etc can sit on this platform for tanks without toppers to keep them free of substrate.
Wheel: Make sure you check your wheel height against your tank height. See our Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths page for full information.
Water Bottle/Holders: For extra info and links see our Feeding, Diet & Water Bottles page. The Bucastate Magnetic water bottle holder fixes to the glass or perspex, or a water bowl on a raised stand.
Nesting Box: Niteangel Birch Hide (single chamber) Niteangel Hides suitable for 2 Gerbils. It comes in 2 sizes, go for the large size. Make sure the lid is weighted down.
Sand Dish/Bowl: Pyrex Dish (bigger is better, size according to space, this one is a minimum 25cm x 17cm). HappyHenrysHomes Sandbaths are made from 100% pet safe materials and come in various sizes and designs.
Gerbil Care 