Actually, what SnakeyLakey says about overcrowding is true. A ten gallon is too small for three adult rats- if you want your rats to be healthy and happy. However, if your rats are used solely for the production of food, that isn't exactly a priority. I would equate this debate, though on a smaller scale, to factory farming vs. pasture raising food animals.

So, since we come from two different standpoints, I'll try to leave my little bleeding heart out of this and address the real issues. A ten gallon aquarium is not well ventilated enough for most small animals, especially three adult rats. The excrement produced is in a smaller, concentrated area and so will create a smell faster. Even with a screen lid, the odors are trapped, for the most part, by the glass. In this situation I would always expect a smell.

If the smells really bother you, increase the floor space with a larger, more ventilated cage. Buy a cheap bird cage and use that instead. Or litter box train them and clean that daily.

Good luck.

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