litter box question

[Imbrium]

so right now, they've got this box:

they do use it, but also ALWAYS make a pee corner beside it and poop near it no matter where I put it. I've tried hanging the hay over it, beside it, you name it - they always use the box corner AND the adjacent corner. I'm crossing my fingers they get better after they're old enough to be spayed.

anyway, they're about to move to a NIC cage and there's room for a bigger litter-box, which I think may help encourage them to get more of their waste into the box... but the thing is I LOVE the way the grid on the current box prevents them from ever having to stand/step in anything icky.

anyone have suggestions on how to make a grid to fit a homemade box (large plastic tub, etc.) or know of a large store-bought litter-box that comes with one? what to use, where to buy, etc... the fewer tools needed, the better 'cause I don't really have much of anything.

oh, also - any suggestions for litter for the litterbox? I'm currently using this stuff: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11279854 and I HATE changing out their litter-box 'cause the litter (UNused) smells godawful - I'd rather smell bunny poop than those stupid stinky paper pellets. when the bag is gone, I definitely want to switch brands/types to something less... appalling.

 

[Elliot]

Ceiling diffuser works great. AKA eggcrate. It comes in a big piece, just cut with scissors or snap it with cutters or some even use a screwdriver. I do not like those corner litter boxes as I feel they are way too small. I found one at petsmart that is supposed to be recycled material. It feels like a very hard plastic, and does not have a huge edge. Elliot is very small, and can get in it easily.
here is a pic of the egg crate
http://aquarists-at-usf.forumotion.com/t13-diy-eggcrate-aquarium-cover

 

[Elliot]

I have been using the wheat pellet litter. I change it every other day. Carefresh works well also, but tends to come out of the litter box easier.

 

[Imbrium]

the egg crate looks workable... it'll be comfortable for them to stand on? if so, I guess it's time for another trip to home depot (fourth one this week, good thing it's a couple blocks away!).

I do have quite a bit of carefresh - stocked up 'cause petco was having a 20% off sale, then realized I won't have a use for it once I swap to the NIC cage. I was gonna return it to a local store, but I can keep a couple bags for the litter-box.

I'm guessing if I have a grid, it won't actually come out that easily... and even if it did, it'd still pale in comparison to my current situation, lol. Nala is very rambunctious, plus she has long fur in some areas 'cause she's a lionhead, so a lot of bedding makes it out of the cage into the pen... then I sit or lie down in the pen with them and end up with it all over my clothes >.>

 

[ldoerr]

I use this stuff in my litter boxes and LOVE it. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JLPIWU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20. I have NO complaints about using it.