building a rodent rack: spacing for mixing tubs, size of lumber questions

Hey guys, going to FINALLY!! build our breeder rodent racks. hoping to keep 3 actively breeding colonies of ASF's, 1 "grow up" group to replace the old breeders, 1 bin for storing the weanling ASF's, and have 1 bin for cleaning rotation.

that gives me 6 bins in total, but i want to build 2 separate racks of 3. i'm going off these plans, but i'm going to adapt it for 3 bins instead of 4. i also am going to make the legs short enough so that the bottom bin is only about 2 inches off the ground, as both racks will be sitting on a table-top. my question is how much space to leave between the top (food/water area) and bottom of each bin? i am probably not going to be plumbing them with an automatic watering system, since there will only be 5 bins with rats i think i can handle changing out bottles. i guess just leave enough room for my hand to throw in a bit of food?

another question, these plans say to use 2" X 2" lumber for the shelf part. i know 2" x 2"s are only actually 1.5 x 1.5, but the lip on my bins is only 1" wide. that would leave a gap of 1/2" between the side of the bin and the rack. is that going to pose any problems?

i'm hoping to get this done tomorrow. i absolutely cannot wait, cleaning glass tanks is AWFUL, not to mention the rats seem to be really nasty; i'm assuming it's because they feel "exposed" all the time.

i leave a few inches between shelves, basically just enough to give them food

well it would leave a gap between the lip of the tub and the rack, the side of the tub should be close to the rail.

BAH!!!! i think i'm just going to support the tubs from underneath. might cost a bit more in lumber but it will cost me far less in painkillers for this massive HEADACHE!!

lol

Make each level 1" bigger than the tubs and thats it. If not mistaken i made mine 20.75 wide which is 1" wider than the mortar tubs.

And depth can be 1" longer than tub to clearance. And to make cutting the screen easier, use a circular saw and turn the blade so it spins backwards and cut the screen when stapled to the pieces. I was able to do this all in under 15 mins of stapling and cutting

ugh and OF COURSE the mesh only comes in 3' x 5' sheets, that means i have to buy 3 rolls of it...that's gonna be like $90. FML.

they come in bigger rolls than that. I bought 2x10ft rolls and seen some 2x15ft rolls at Lowes.

ya or so i've heard, lol. i hope i can find some. my local home depot NEVER EVER has what i want. today they were out of the mesh, and the 5' x 3' was the only size they carried.

it took me forever to even find the mortar tubs.

i guess i'll be hitting up Rona tomorrow crossing my fingers for the mesh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

BAH!!!! i think i'm just going to support the tubs from underneath. might cost a bit more in lumber but it will cost me far less in painkillers for this massive HEADACHE!!

lol

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im still not seeing why its a head ache? also making shelves under the tubs reduces air flow out of the tubs below it.

I think you should reconsider using an automatic watering system. Changing bottles gets old quick. The tubs in the plan you're using are 8 inches tall which is too high for some ASF's to reach water. Take a look at the LARGE size litter pan from Petco.

I built my second rack different from my first and I'm dying to make a third because of the things I want to change from the second.

Good luck.

Split a 2x4 down the middle, run rails instead of plywood. No air circulation problems that way, and plenty of room for food and water line...