edstrom watering valves

Which ones are better for rats the standard or vari-flo ones. I have a about thirty of the vari-flo right now and I need to buy more I want to know if i should get more vari-flo's or just get the standard ones?

I've been using the vari-flo valves for about 5 years and have been very impressed with them. Personally, I don't even want to try anything else!
- Paul

The standard ones are just fine for regular rats.

do you have any problems with the standard ones plugging up or leaking? I have had the vari-flo's plug up and also had them leak on occasion.

I have both and haven't had issues with either leaking. I've been lucky I guess. :D

A little bit of bleach or GSE in your water reservoir should help with keeping the valves clear from rat backwash chunks.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I have both and haven't had issues with either leaking. I've been lucky I guess. :D

A little bit of bleach or GSE in your water reservoir should help with keeping the valves clear from rat backwash chunks.

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The water that feeds my reservoir is purified R/O water so nothing comes into that part of the system that can cause a valve to leak. I did have a few instances where a clear gel of "goo" formed in the line and plugged a drinking valve, but that was my fault due to inadequate maintenance of the system. I started putting a little bleach in the reservoir once a month, and I haven't had a clogged valve since.
- Paul

how much bleach are you using?

I have added salt many times over the years and rarely ever had a failure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

how much bleach are you using?

I have added salt many times over the years and rarely ever had a failure.

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I add a half-teaspoon to my reservoir which holds a little over 3 gallons. My pre-filter uses carbon and removes chlorine as well as particulates before the supply water goes into my reservoir, so the once/month chlorine dose is important for my set-up.
- Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PiedPeddler

I add a half-teaspoon to my reservoir which holds a little over 3 gallons. My pre-filter uses carbon and removes chlorine as well as particulates before the supply water goes into my reservoir, so the once/month chlorine dose is important for my set-up.
- Paul

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okay so you have a water filter on a hose but you add the bleach to the reservoir after the filter once a month? Am I reading this correctly?

Only "filters" I have are the screens on on outlets at the bucket. Fresh tap water plus salt is added every other month. I have swapped out maybe a dozen valves over the years. I have never measured the salt, just a quick dash.

[QUOTE=suzuki4life;1416364]okay so you have a water filter on a hose but you add the bleach to the reservoir after the filter once a month? Am I reading this correctly?
QUOTE]

Yeah, the water that feeds the reservoir is filtered and there is a float valve in the reservoir to automatically keep it full. The only thing I add by hand is the bleach once a month.
- Paul