Silent Water Bottles?

So, here is the situation:

Between 5-10 adult rats, will be breeding with between 1-3 litters being raised at any given time.

Need a housing solution that takes up the least amount of space while still being humane for the animals.

Need a watering solution that is silent or as quiet as possible.

Need a bedding solution that absorbs as much scent as possible.

In other words, discretion is key. ;)

Now here's the kicker.... I need to get this solution in place within 5 days.

I *can* build things (would rather not), but the only power tool I own is a drill, and I don't really have a clear area to work in if it requires more than the drill.

I have around $400 that I can spend.

My tiny collection of rats and snakes means the world to me, so I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep them.

The main concern I have is the watering system. You can only do so much to minimize rodent noise, but the water bottles are a big part of that.

For the rest, I am searching around for a used rack, and considering getting some lab cages.

Your help is appreciated more than I can say. :please:

if you have $400 you can build a rat rack that has 6 tubs for about 150$ in materials. then you an use water bottles for now till you order the automatic water system.

Check out these videos they show an easy rodent rack set up with a watering system. These watering systems are very quiet.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfHa8lxMpio

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt1MOnzUmnY

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7TJNa4CWPXI

Not sure what your situation is, but since you want to save hassle, time, space and money, why not get a compact freezer? No rack building needed, it can easily hold enough feeders for your small collection, and would be a lot more discrete than bins full of rats. I've seen them as small as 2 cubic feet. You could get one today and be done with it. Is F/T an option for you?

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Originally Posted by GoFride

Not sure what your situation is, but since you want to save hassle, time, space and money, why not get a compact freezer? No rack building needed, it can easily hold enough feeders for your small collection, and would be a lot more discrete than bins full of rats. I've seen them as small as 2 cubic feet. You could get one today and be done with it. Is F/T an option for you?

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Well I breed the rats for pleasure, really. I sell the best ones as pets and keep the rest for feeders. I have a lot of fun messing around with the genetics, and the pet sales help pay for both rodent and reptile supplies. :)

I do appreciate the suggestions and info on building racks, but my major problem with that is that I have no power tools to use, and I have no area in which I could use power tools even if I had them. :confused: If there is a way to build a rack when you have only a handheld drill, I am all ears!

You could do it with a hand saw and a drill, it will take a little longer but power tools aren't required. (you could get the necessary hand tools and still be in your budget)

It looks as though big apple herp sells water bottles without those dratted metal balls in them. I ordered a few to see if that will solve my problem. If not I will be looking at getting a rack set up.