Hi Gray Rodent,
Thanks for the welcome and the lovely informative post.
1) I read a lot about cages (lots of conflicting advice too). I then measured my available space and went for the cage that most seemed to fit the concensus of opinion, offered the most space for the Chinchilla in the space I had available and was a good buy financially. So it's good to read that I did ok.
The depth of the pan is a problem as I can see that should I need litter they'll have great fun spreading it through the bars.
My hamster did this until I put acetate over the bars on the outside. To her immense annoyance she can't chew it, it keeps her bedding in and I can still see into her home.
I know they'll chew it, so it will keep needing to be replaced, (and will need to be removed at front to slide tray out for cleaning) but I'm considering putting the equivalent of skirting boards in untreated kiln dried pine on the outside to heighten the pan depth.
2) Ok thanks for the heads up on this, If they do start chewing at this I'll use wood instead, and replace it long before they've made a dangerous impression on it.
3) Thanks for the confirmation on this one, I thought it was ok but better to check.
4) Once I took it out the whole cage looked so much lighter, brighter and airier! Wood will look so much nicer as well.
I'm using the shelves on the base to provide extra storage for my bits and pieces and the brackets will have extra holes drilled in and be used in my store cupboard to hold a wooden shelf. Waste not, want not :~)
5 & 6) Thank you so much for these answers. Trying to get this information has been like finding "hens teeth."
Now I know my Kit will be safe, thank you.
7) I was so worried about boredom I went a bit (a lot) over the top on trying to provide activity.
I'll have as you suggested 3 shelves as a maximum to each half of the cage.
I've got fleece ready but I will be very vigilant for chewing, I know from reading older posts here that just because they don't doesn't mean they never will.
One of my 3 year old cats has just started to lick my clothes, something she's never done before. So I know behaviour can change with no warning or apparent reason.
Your built in floor sounds amazing, would you mind giving tips on how to do something similar?
I am concerned about urine as I know it can have serious affects, I'm disabled and sadly aware of how much damage a few missed drops can do to human skin.
I did wonder about a ceramic "litter tray" with kiln dried pine sawdust in it.
I was thinking of having this on little feet with drainage holes. I could check it several times a day and remove urine soaked sawdust. Any thoughts on this?
9) Thanks for bottle recommendation. I check all my pets water daily, but thanks for the reminder. Do I need a bottle in each half of the cage if only one resident?
I made my cats a water feature which circulates the water and has grass area and I've found they drink far more than they used too.
10) The Hyacinth mat came from a recommended Chinchilla supplier so I'm hoping it's ok. My Hamster likes it, she has a small piece she throws in the air as well as a larger piece she sleeps on.
11) I will be available to have interaction a lot as with my disability I'm home a lot.
This was my main consideration and concern when I was thinking initially about having a Chin as a pet.
The play mountain is for the times when I'm not available to play with.
I would keep an eye out for signs of damage to any ceramic items I make and be sure that they provided instant access to Chin in case of a problem.
I did something similar for my Sister when she had pet rats. We had no problems with breakages despite a lot of chewing and they seemed to enjoy their ceramic landscape.
I will take note of your comments though and see how my Kit takes to this.
12) A lot of the bits I have are small/light enough to be thrown or carried around.
I have removed a wind chime that was near the cage as I was concerned about it looking like a bird of prey. Not sure how good a Chins vision is, but thought even a shadow could cause distress.
My cats have never been in contact with a real snake in their lives but were terrified of a rubber one, which is why I've been more aware of potential threats for Kit.
13) Hay rack is a wooden chew toy ~ a cube with holes in (to small for a head) that I'll stuff hay into.
Thanks for tip on dishes, my hamster tips hers over often!
I'm going to get a Chin spin when the Kit is a year, I read that before that is dangerous as youngsters have no idea they've overdone it. A bit like me at times lol.
14) I've had a lot of tooing and froing on this one.
Unless an animal is naturally solitary as in the case of my Hamster, Chameleon, European Eagle Owl or a natural recluse as in a feral cat who chose to move into my home for last 3 years of life.
I've always believed where possible in having same species companionship as well as me. So my original plan was to have 2 litter mate Chinchilla, after much research though I have come down to having 1.
Though to be honest I'm still in two minds about 2.
I know Chinchilla live in herds, but with ample space and opportunity to get away. As a human being I know that being in too close proximity escalates niggles to crisis.
I've been told that each half of my cage is ample for 2 adult Chinchilla.
I have in my own life lived in a bedsit which was deemed big enough for a human being. I now have a 1 bedroom flat but of all my homes I much preferred the space of my 3 bed house.
So my initial issue is, half my cage may be ample for 2 but is it really enough for 10 years of life in the same space? There will be playtime in a Chin safe area but still the majority of life is in a cage.
I'm also wondering if in fact my half cage is not a bed sit but a 1 bedroomed flat (or more) for 1 Chinchilla. If I did have 2 in the whole cage who got on ok, but down the road wanted a divorce, could I just split the cage up and have 1 Chin in each half?
I appreciate some Chinchilla like playmates but not roommates.
I know that I would find it very hard to re home a much loved pet if there was a serious falling out. That said, I really do want to give any creature in my home the best life that it can have. If that means 2 Chinchilla and my emotions being ripped apart 2, 5, 8 years down the road because they won't live in the same house let alone cage. Then I'm the human being, I have to deal with it.
I'd really appreciate thoughts and advice on this matter, I have to make a decision by 20th Feb.
By the way a second similar sized cage or putting 1 Chinchilla in a second room is not an option, due to lack of available living space.
really hope I'm going to be a good enough Mum to these two little ones.
I have a secondary name and addy I keep just in case, think I was having a Senior moment 
or 
before little ones arrive.