My Tim Bailey Rat Rack...

[anatess]

I got a rack now too. I finally finished it.

I followed Tim Bailey's (muddoc) rat rack design step by step! I had just slight changes as follows:

1.) I used 1/4" hardware cloth on the main section of screen because I am going to put ASF's there and the little ones can get through a 1/2". But, I kept the 1/2" screen on the food part.

2.) I put a separation between food and water for no apparent reason. I was thinking I can do some maintenance on the tubing without having to empty out the food but then I was thinking... how often would I really need to do that? So yeah, I ended up with a smaller food section.

3.) I used the mixing tubs from Home Depot and it didn't say ODJOB on it. I had to reduce the distance between the screen to the guide rails to 3/4" because it was too far at 1".

4.) I used 1/2" drill screws to put the casters on the bottom because the darned things didn't come with screws.

5.) I used flex-tubing instead of PVC. It was too complicated to put the pvc stuff together, so I just chickened out and got the flex-tubing. So, I got 3/8" tubing going from the 5 gallon bucket to the T's that connect to 3/16" tubing that goes to the edstrom variflow valves.

6.) I used 11/16" paddle bit instead of 13/16" to drill the hole on the 5 gallon bucket to attach the connector because that's what it said on the 3/8" connector that I got from klubertanz.com.

I had 1 of the 1"x2"x8' left over and 1 of the 2"x2"x8'.

I put water in the bucket, turned on the valves and I got zero leaks first shot! Yeay!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, TIM BAILEY!

[wilomn]

That's a heckofa rack.

Didn't you mention somewhere that you're on the small side, like under 5'4"?

Anyway, that one looks pretty good.

[anatess]

5'0" actually.

Yeah, I built the entire rack on its side. Then I stood it up and I could just reach the top rack to put it in but I'm pretty sure I can't pull it out with rats inside. Probably not even the 2nd to the topmost rack.

I wired the water tubing on a ladder.

But, my husband is 6'2". He's gonna be the water-filler dude and the top rack cleaner.

[wilomn]

Then not only did my memory work, mostly, but you have it all well in hand.

Cool.

[saber2th]

That's a nice rack! Good job!

[muddoc]

Tess,
It looks great. I really need to go do some updatig on the DIY, since Home Depot now carries 2 different brands, but not at the same time. My HD switches between brands at will (it sucks). Also, I have sinceswitched from using buckets, to using 28 quart Sterilites, because they hold a bit more water, and aren't so tall (easier when it comes to filling).

Either way, that one looks great, and I am always thrilled to see someone that can put our DIY to good use.

Grats,

[grits]

Nice job. Where do you get the drinking valves from? I went to their website but couldnt find a place to order. Wonder if a feed store would have something like that.

[RichsBallPythons]

If you dont want the rack to be so tall from the bucket. Go with the 28qt sterilite tubs. Holds more water than the bucket and keeps overhead shorter.

[anatess]

Nice job. Where do you get the drinking valves from? I went to their website but couldnt find a place to order. Wonder if a feed store would have something like that.

I got my watering system (valves, tubing, connectors, etc) from klubertanz.

Tim, your wife told me about the sterilites while we were talking on the phone. Yea, I can't reach the top of the rack, let alone fill the water up. I got my husband to do the water for me and my husband is a big fan of Lowes so he chose the bucket.

So, I'm trying to figure out how to put a lid on the food. My dog can get to the lower levels... If anybody has done that before I'd love to know how you did it.

Also did some finagling with the water valves. I had to lower them on the grow-out tubs. So, the rubber tubing goes into the tub now. We wrapped the tubing with soldering wire and so far so good.

[wilomn]

You can also build little ledges with left over screen. It will support the weight of your rats and get them right up to the food without having to put the tubing in at all.

Those teeth are very sharp and can slice easily. Flood outs are no fun.