“A good gerbil tank starts with a glass tank of at least 20 gallons for a pair, a mesh lid, and 6 to 10 inches of paper or aspen bedding mixed with hay for tunnels. Add a sand bath, a solid 8-inch or larger wheel, wooden or ceramic hides, chews, and water. Avoid plastic, which gerbils chew.”
Gerbils are natural engineers. In the wild, they dig complex burrow systems with multiple chambers and entrances. Give them deep bedding in a glass tank and you’ll get a front-row view of their tunnels and busy daily routines. A well-planned tank keeps gerbils healthy, reduces stress behaviors like frantic corner digging, and makes cleaning easier for you.
Gerbil Tank Checklist
- Glass tank (20-gallon long or larger for two gerbils)
- Secure mesh lid
- Paper or aspen bedding, 6 to 10+ inches deep
- Hay and cardboard to support tunnels
- Sand bath with chinchilla sand
- Solid wheel, 8 inches or larger
- Ceramic, wooden, or cork hides
- Chews: untreated wood, cardboard, and cork
- Water bottle or small heavy bowl
- Heavy food dish or scatter-feeding area
Why a Tank Instead of a Cage?
Gerbils dig and kick bedding constantly. Wire cages with shallow bases can’t hold enough bedding, so it ends up all over your floor. Gerbils also chew bars and plastic, which can cause nose injuries and blockages. Glass tanks solve both problems: they hold deep bedding, they’re chew-proof, and they let you see the tunnels gerbils build against the glass.
Some owners use a “tank topper,” a wire cage that sits on top of the tank to add climbing space. If you use one, keep ramps and platforms secure and ensure the bedding is still deep in the tank below. See choosing the best cage for more.
How Big Should a Gerbil Tank Be?
A 20-gallon long tank is a common minimum for a pair of gerbils, and many experienced keepers recommend larger tanks, such as 30 or 40 gallons, especially for groups. More space allows for deeper bedding, more enrichment, and less territorial stress. Measure floor space rather than just volume, since long tanks give more digging room than tall ones.
Bedding: The Heart of the Setup
Deep bedding is essential. Aim for 6 to 10 inches across most of the tank, and more in one area if possible. Good choices include:
- Paper bedding: soft and absorbent
- Aspen shavings: holds tunnel shapes well
- A mix of both, plus hay: the hay strands act like rebar, helping tunnels stay firm
Pack the bedding down gently to encourage stable burrows. Avoid cedar, pine, scented bedding, and fluffy cotton. See bedding comparison.
Sand Bath
Gerbils clean their coats by rolling in sand. Place a heavy glass or ceramic dish of chinchilla sand (not dust) on top of the bedding. Many gerbils also use the sand bath as a bathroom, which makes spot cleaning easy. Sift out waste every few days and replace sand as needed.
Wheel
A solid-surface wheel at least 8 inches in diameter, and ideally 10 to 12 inches, lets gerbils run without arching their backs. Never use wire or rung wheels, which can trap tails and cause injury. Place the wheel on a flat, stable surface so bedding doesn’t jam it.
Hides and Nesting
Gerbils often build their own nests in burrows, but they also appreciate multi-chamber hides made of wood or ceramic. Provide plain paper, hay, or toilet paper for nesting material. Avoid plastic hides, which will be chewed.
Chews and Enrichment
Gerbils love to chew and shred. Offer:
- Cardboard tubes, boxes, and egg cartons
- Untreated wood chews and branches (apple, willow)
- Cork logs and tunnels
- Hay cubes
- Scattered seeds and forage mixes hidden in bedding
Refresh cardboard often, since gerbils will shred it quickly. That’s a good thing. See enrichment toys by rodent type.
Food and Water
Use a heavy ceramic dish or scatter-feed to encourage foraging. Gerbils drink little, but they still need constant access to fresh water. A bottle is usually best, since bowls fill with bedding. Mount the bottle where gerbils can’t chew the spout mount. See water bottle vs bowl.
Sample Layout
- Deep dig zone: two-thirds of the tank with the deepest bedding, packed with hay and cardboard tubes buried partway for tunnel starts.
- Platform zone: a sturdy wooden platform or cork log for the wheel and sand bath, so they sit level.
- Hide and chew area: a multi-chamber hide and chew toys near the platform.
- Water station: bottle mounted above the platform area.
Where to Place the Tank
Put the tank on a sturdy, level surface in a quiet room away from direct sunlight, drafts, and heaters. Glass tanks can heat up quickly in the sun. Gerbils are comfortable in typical house temperatures, around 65 to 75°F.
Cleaning Routine
- Every few days: spot clean the sand bath and any damp areas.
- Weekly: refresh chews and remove leftover fresh food.
- Every few weeks: replace part of the bedding, not all of it, to preserve tunnels and familiar scent.
- Occasionally: do a deeper clean only when needed, then return some old bedding.
Gerbils produce little waste, so their tanks stay fresh longer than most rodents’. See our full gerbil care guide.
Signs Your Setup Needs Improvement
- Frantic digging in a corner: often a sign of too little bedding or boredom.
- Bar chewing on a topper: may mean not enough space or enrichment.
- Fighting between cagemates: may mean not enough space or duplicate resources.
- Constant hiding: may indicate stress from noise or location.
Setting Up a Tank for a Group
If you keep three or more gerbils, size up the tank and duplicate key resources: two water sources, multiple hides, and more than one feeding area. This reduces competition and lowers the risk of disputes. Groups also benefit from extra-deep bedding, since more gerbils means more digging. Watch closely for signs of tension, such as one gerbil being chased or kept away from food, and have a spare tank ready in case a group needs to be split.
Making the Setup Look Natural
Many owners enjoy creating a more naturalistic tank with safe branches, flat stones for platforms (securely placed so they can’t topple), cork bark, and a layer of dried grasses on top of the bedding. A naturalistic setup encourages exploring and foraging and makes the tank a beautiful display. Avoid collecting branches or stones from areas treated with chemicals, and bake or rinse natural items before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tank do two gerbils need?
At least a 20-gallon long tank, and larger is better.
How deep should gerbil bedding be?
About 6 to 10 inches or more.
Can gerbils live in a wire cage?
It’s not ideal. Wire cages don’t hold enough bedding and encourage bar chewing.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Yes. A solid wheel at least 8 inches across provides important exercise.