A few mouse care questions

[Bumblebee]

I’ve been considering getting a mouse for years, but recently it’s become something I can act on. I had a few questions about mouse care, mostly cage related.

Cage options are a 55gallon tank with the floor space of a 45 gallon breeder. However I’d need to DIY a lid. I could also use my 75 gallon tank, but im unsure how well I could fill it up and all the rodents I’ve had in there died of the same mysterious illness despite bleaching the enclosure between pets. Besides those I may purchase a cage. I’m worried about ventilation in a tank as well. Any thoughts?

Would a neutered male mouse smell better than one that hasn’t been neutered? Could I keep a neutered male with some females? What are some pros/cons to a group of mice vs a singular male?

What are some good food options?

[Flora]

Hi great to have you here! for cage options I'd say bigger is better. Where have you been sourcing your rodents? And what are the symptoms of this mystery disease? I would think it's more likely to be genetic than the tank itself especially if you've bleached it. Ventilation may be an issue, I would just recommend the lid be mesh and to be extra considerate when choosing bedding material.

Neutering a male should help with the smell, and yes a neutered male can be housed with females. If it is possible for you to get a male neutered and keep him with others that is highly recommended as mice are social creatures and males are only kept in solitude to prevent breeding. If left to their own devices mice would naturally split into groups with males and females and would never be solitary by choice.