Best houses for Syrian hamsters?

Question
I am planning on getting a Syrian hamster for my girls for Christmas.  I am trying to do all the research I can to set them up with the best home possible, and I am so glad I found you - one who has worked with Syrians for so many years.  Can you please tell me what type of housing you think is best for them?  My thinking so far is to avoid the ones with tubing at all costs?  I found this website and I am curious to see what you think of it.  http://stores.cageworld.com/Categories.bok

I think I am good on everything else that they need, exercise wheel with no wire or slats, chew toys, food, water.  What about Bene-Bac?

I would appreciate any and all help or advice you would care to provide, and thank you so much for your time!

Answer
I personally endorse aquarium style cages. 20 gallon long is the minimum size for a Syrian hamster. I recommend them for several reasons. One is that the mess stays contained inside the tank where as with a wire cage the mess can come out if the hamster digs, and they dig a lot. Also hamsters are constant chewers and they WILL chew on the bars of a wire cage. That's not good for the hamster or for whoever has to listen to the gnawing all night. It's also much easier to clean then a wire or tube cage. The tubing can get blocked by a burrowing hamster and you have to clean it out constantly. The wires aren't exactly easy to clean either. With a tank you can empty out all the  shavings once a week with a scoop and clean the entire glass tank with mild cleanser once a month.

You have to at least have a wheel, water bottle, food dish, and hiding place, as well as a tank top cover. A 20 gallon aquarium can give you room for a little tubing. Use a water bottle like this one with suction cups:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753357

Or one with a loop at the top like this one and secure it to the outside with a bent wire.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754671

Other bottles will let the hamster climb up them and attempt to escape. As for chews you can try wood chews but my hamsters never liked them. Look through the treat aisle for something like these:

http://www.petfooddirect.com/product/4283/Vitakraft-Raviolos-Small-Animal-Treats

Hard food treats tend to get them gnawing a lot better. Lastly don't forget, only one hamster per cage!