new rat rack - and a couple questions

So I finished the six tub rat rack using the Home Depot mixing tubs, I added a melamine shelf at the top to hold the water reservoir and supplies if necessary. . . here it is
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...gejpeg_2-2.jpg[/IMG]

I went with the bolt,washer, nut solution as many of you recommended (thanks for the input on my previous thread!)
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...gejpeg_2-3.jpg[/IMG]

I was able to keep the gap at 1/8" or less, here's a picture of the gap (I couldn't find one when I was building so maybe this will help someone in the future?)
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...gejpeg_2-4.jpg[/IMG]

I used 3" blocks of 1X2 as spacers for the rails and it worked out to leave what seems to be the right amount of gap
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...gejpeg_2-5.jpg[/IMG]

now the questions, if I'm choosing to leave the moms in with the litters (will be a 1.3 or 1.4 group) as I've read many folks do, can the little ones reach the food and water as they become weaned? I've read ALOT of threads lately and only in a couple was it mentioned to put food on the ground as well as on the mesh, and one poster mentioned putting a bowl in so they can reach (upside down bowl? ceramic or plastic? do they push it out of the way?), but what about the water?
I put in the auto watering system, is there a preferred location for the sipper valve? mine are located about 2" from the front of the frame, it seems like smaller weans would have to try to get up the sloping front edge of the tub to reach it. Should the valve be a little farther back?
And how do those of you who leave the moms and litters in make sure that the little ones can reach food and water? Any input is appreciated!! Thanks!

Bump!

Maybe I shouldn't have buried my questions at the end of yet another rack build thread!
Any info on helping weans reach the food and water in a rack tub would be appreciated!

If you're using just the smaller of the two HD tubs you'll be fine leaving them alone. You can use an upside down bowl but in my experience it will get moved around. If they are hungry/thirsty they will get the food or water. They can hang upside down on the mesh if need be or stand on their hind legs. You can add a little more bedding if you would like so that gets them a little closer but trust me they will reach it when they want it.

As said, they will get to what they need.
If you are really worried you could add a little more bedding to raise the floor.

Thanks for the replies! Yes, this rack uses the smaller of the HD tubs, so that puts my mind at ease that they will be able to reach food and water when necessary, thanks!

We run alot of racks. We just throw blocks of wood in the corners for them to stand on and chew on. Just our $.02

The babies usually figure out how to climb upside down on the hardware cloth pretty fast, you shouldn't have to worry about them lol. I think some of my rats actually like climbing upside down better than running around normally XD