Do I have things right? Posted earlier - ignore that one.....

Question
Hi Heather - if you can bear with me, I would like to outline what I think I have learned regarding getting a Syrian hamster for my girls for Christmas.  I have spent a lot of time on my own doing research and a lot of time reading your previous answers, and would love to know if I have things right....maybe it will help someone else in the future.

Housing - you prefer aquariums - no wire cages, no plastic tubular cages.  You have said in previous posts that you use 20 gallon aquariums - have you ever gone as high as 40?  Or would that get into ventilation issues (I think they are 16 inches high....)  

About the lids - saw this pic on another post of yours - http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b275/Hezadancer/Pets/6-28-06008.jpg - you actually DO use tubing here for your Syrians and they don't get caught?  If so, would love to know not only where you got the tower but also the specialized lid?  

Choosing the hamster - you said males seem more docile than females in your experience - and less prone to want to escape.  Local Petco only sells females - do I need to call around to see if I can find males or would I be okay with the right setup?  I have tried to Google for hamster breeders around here to try and get one that way, but have had no luck, so Petco will probably be my only option.  PetSmart only does dwarves.......

Bedding - you say Aspen wood shavings.  Like so? http://www.petco.com/product/107259/PETCO-Small-Animal-Aspen-Bedding.aspx?CoreCa...

Petco's big thing is this thing called CareFRESH - which is this, which they use in all their small animal enclosures - http://www.petco.com/product/3370/Carefresh-Natural-Pet-Bedding.aspx?CoreCat=cer...

Would love to know what you think of that as well, or if you have heard of it.

Water bottles - Do I understand you right about getting one that does NOT have the metal brackets on the side to prevent climbing?  I don't see water bottles at Petco that have wires on the top to be able to hook a paper clip to and hook it on the side of the aquarium?

Food - Ceramic dishes are probably best, since they are harder to tip over.  Loose hamster food mixed with seeds, crunchies, etc - a couple of tablespoons a day.  Do you change food out every day if they do not eat it or just every few days or so.......

Ventilated igloo for hiding.......easy enough.......

Exercise wheel - avoid anything with slats or wire?  Would love a bit more info on that if you don't mind.

What to do with hamster when you are cleaning out aquarium?  I read on one of your posts about NOT using the balls?  What about a run-about ball on a ham-trac?  Or do you just put them in another cage to play?

Chews - what about these - http://www.petco.com/product/100241/Super-Pet-Crispy-Chews.aspx?CoreCat=HamsterH... - do you always keep one or two of these in their cage?

Bene-Bac - http://www.petco.com/product/106421/PetAg-Bene-Bac-Small-Animal-Powder.aspx?Core... - we were told this was something we would need that would help in the hamsters transition to their new home?

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your time and patience in helping to educate me and hopefully others on everything that is needed for our Syrians.  

Answer
Sorry I answered the first one before seeing that you also had a second one so let me address these too.

40 would be great if you have the space. You can really have fun deciding what things to put in the cage and really go nuts with all that space. The hamster will like it too. 20 is fine though, you can fit everything they need comfortably in a 20.

The lid was something I made myself out of miscellaneous tubes and a look out tower. Syrians can get through them just fine, they're really nimble.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753255
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754669&keepsr=0&clickid=pro...

I found an aquarium lid that had 2 port holes in it for just such a use. I can't remember where though. You could always cut a regular wire lid to accommodate such a set up. I did that because that tank was only 10 gallons and I wanted to give my hamster more space. He spent almost all of his time in that look out tower. It was his bed and his toilet, which is a common problem with little add on nooks like that. It got gross very fast. I have no problem with tubes as a crawl through I just don't endorse plastic/tube enclosures as cages like this one:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4189258

They're a nightmare to clean and honestly not big enough if you ask me.

In my experience males have been so much more mellow. My females always seemed too preoccupied with trying to escape, where as my males were just content to snooze and enjoy tank life. If a female is all you can find they still make good pets and they tame up just as well as the males. Petco is the only pet store to get a hamster from in my opinion (besides a breeder) because they separate them by gender so the risk of inbreeding and buying a pregnant female is low.

I've used both carefresh and aspen and they are both good choices. I don't prefer one over the other really, it's up to personal preference.

I sent a picture of acceptable water bottles in the first message. Anything with a loop at the top or suction cups. The loop is the better way to go, it's more secure if you can find it. I've used both plastic and ceramic bowls and never had a problem with tipping on either one. I don't change the food daily though. The food doesn't really go bad. If you give them new food over the old food they're just going to cherry pick the seeds out and leave the vitamin enriched pellets. You kind of have to leave it in there to force them into eating it.

My hamsters have enjoyed igloos like this immensely.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753266

Only issue is they will get chewed up after a while. That's fine though.

I really enjoyed the silent spinner wheel, but it's hard to find the hamster sized one for whatever reason.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753369

Also mine broke after a few months. If you plan on leaving the hamster tank in a bedroom I must warn you, they are most active at night and will make a LOT of noise. That is why the silent spinner was great for me, because the metal wheel squeaks and I had to take it out to get some sleep. If you aren't concerned with a noise problem I would go for a metal wheel like this one.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753362

It's a grid style so it's easier on their paws, and the size is good. I don't think the correct size is in stock on that website. It's one of those things you need to see in person to make sure it's the right size. Most are either mouse (too small), hamster/gerbil (perfect) or guinea pig (too big). The metal ones have a larger diameter then the silent spinner and it's better on their back. It shouldn't have to arch in when they run.

Those treats are purely for the hamster's entertainment. It won't do much to wear down their teeth. A harder treat like the one in the first post will be a better choice. Once one is gone you can give another.

I've never had to use bene bac but it couldn't hurt. It's to prevent stress induced wet tail, which is a bacterial disease that gives hamsters a wet bottom and dehydration. It won't cure a hamster that already has it though. It's not a necessary supplement. it's like a human taking probiotics. Not needed but doesn't hurt.